The spirited streets and grand avenues of Beirut, as ever lively. Tradition
and innovation blend at every corner; designer boutiques nestled between
vibrant markets; avant-garde architecture taking shape and breathing
Heritage. This combination of the city's past incarnations with its modern
face was the starting point for District //S, the award-winning residential
development of 22 modules ranging from three to seven stories in the
heart of the Solidere area. It is really a microcosm of the metropole that
surrounds it.
Home of the global citizen, District //S, a 13,200 sqm site in the historic
center of Beirut, offers an opulent neighborhood experience with fully-
serviced townhouses, penthouses, apartments and studios within walking
distance of restaurants, art galleries, health and lifestyle facilities, green
areas and luxury boutiques.
The Historic Centre of Beirut has a rich heritage reflected in its varying style of architecture. The new blends naturally with the old, contributing to the vibrant urban grain.
The architecture of District //S is a modern interpretation of several aspects of Beirut's traditional architecture. With site-specific solutions, the urban plans take different aspects of local culture into consideration, translated in the design and interconnectivity of the buildings. It responds to the topography and the climate recreating stone balconies, raised gardens, arcades and loggias decorated with a superb skyline.
District //S will be a certified green neighborhood. In this aim, building material employs recyclable content and technologically developed eco-friendly systems with an emphasis on energy saving, in order to guarantee the LEED certification for neighborhood development (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).
District //S embraces a main public garden and a series of elevated and roof gardens, and promotes an environmentally responsible attitude. This comes in the form of internal pedestrian alleys, installed biking racks and preferred parking spots for hybrid and electric cars. The result is a remarkably reduced carbon footprint within the city.
The Urban Design Group's Francis Tibbalds Prize for Best Practice Project was awarded to architects Allies and Morrison for their work on District //S against world class competition from the Olympic Village at Stratford and the Leicester Square redesign in Central London.
District //S is also the winner of two awards of the 2014 Real Estates Awards Lebanon for the most Eco-friendly and Sustainable Project as well as the Leading Design and Architecture. The ceremony was organized by The Real Estate Syndicate of Lebanon (R.E.A.L.).
Two, three or four bedroom apartments vary in size between 185 sqm and 525 sqm, located on five floors of 17 buildings.
Adorning the skyline and completing the urban picturesque design of District //S are the eight penthouses that rise above the estate. Each penthouse has its own spectacular view and character. Ranging from 540 sqm to 945 sqm, these jewels boast generous terraces with private swimming pools on the rooftops of adjacent buildings.
The four townhouses are independent homes with their own rooftop gardens located above the retail spaces. With high ceilings and private access, the townhouses are crafted with signature interiors.
Varying in size between 70 sqm and 160 sqm, the fully serviced 18 one or two bedroom units are smartly designed. They come with a choice of four interior designs ranging across variable moods; all four choices follow contemporary design patterns differentiated with various high grade elements: Burma Teak (Chalet Chic), Resin (New World), Carrara Marble (Continental) and fair-faced concrete (Pacific).
Providing the spirit of a true community and a rich mix of different outdoor experiences, District //S offers 43 retail units of 50 sqm to 820 sqm neatly arranged to create a series of alleys around the residential buildings. Special attention has been given to public and private outdoor spaces, and how these spaces are linked together. The project is organized around three main open spaces: two courtyards and a piazza, linked by lanes and thresholds filled with retail shops.
District //S holds 10,000 sqm of retail space on the ground and 1st basement floors linked through pedestrian walkways and landscaped gardens. The street life effect created by the cafés, restaurants, galleries, and fashion boutiques is enriched by artwork, a cultural center, and a series of "Magasins de quartier" from grocers to newsstands and amenities for children.
