Painter Tom Young came across the crumbling house that would become Villa Paradiso as he was walking home one night. He struck a deal with its owners to use it as an exhibition space.
Villa Paradiso —
Painter Tom Young came across the crumbling house that would become Villa Paradiso as he was walking home one night. He struck a deal with its owners to use it as an exhibition space.
Elsie Haddad
Villa Paradiso's owners were thrilled with the idea of showing art in the house, despite extensive renovation costs.
Renovation project —
Villa Paradiso's owners were thrilled with the idea of showing art in the house, despite extensive renovation costs.
Courtesy Villa Paradiso
Villa Paradiso was involved in Lebanon's civil war -- a militia camped out on the ground floor for a time. Traces of the event were preserved as part of the renovation.
Military past —
Villa Paradiso was involved in Lebanon's civil war -- a militia camped out on the ground floor for a time. Traces of the event were preserved as part of the renovation.
Courtesy Villa Paradiso
After an initial exhibition by Young, Villa Paradiso opened to other artists, events and private parties.
Performance space —
After an initial exhibition by Young, Villa Paradiso opened to other artists, events and private parties.
Courtesy Villa Paradiso
Beirut's skyline is continually crowded with construction cranes, building ever more towers filled with apartments that the majority of the city's residents can't afford.
Building boom —
Beirut's skyline is continually crowded with construction cranes, building ever more towers filled with apartments that the majority of the city's residents can't afford.
OSEPH EID/AFP/GettyImages
The destruction of Lebanese architectural heritage, a concern since the first high-rise towers began to replace the gardens of historic Ras Beirut in the 1950s, has accelerated at an alarming rate in the last two decades.
Path of destruction —
The destruction of Lebanese architectural heritage, a concern since the first high-rise towers began to replace the gardens of historic Ras Beirut in the 1950s, has accelerated at an alarming rate in the last two decades.
JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images
BEYt is a bed and breakfast in an old Beirut house outfitted with classic mid-century furniture.
BEYt guesthouse —
BEYt is a bed and breakfast in an old Beirut house outfitted with classic mid-century furniture.
Courtesy BEYT
Featuring high ceilings, arcades and original tiled floors, Beyt is likely to appeal to anyone interested in traditional Beirut architecture.
Classic decorations —
Featuring high ceilings, arcades and original tiled floors, Beyt is likely to appeal to anyone interested in traditional Beirut architecture.
Courtesy Beyt
Zico House holds regular art exhibitions and has incubated several associations and organizations that have gone on to launch successfully elsewhere in the city.
Zico House —
Zico House holds regular art exhibitions and has incubated several associations and organizations that have gone on to launch successfully elsewhere in the city.
Courtesy Zico House
At Zico, few concessions have been made to the interior architectural heritage of the space, but plastic chairs, tables and couches give the rooms a lived-in aspect conducive to work.
Working space —
At Zico, few concessions have been made to the interior architectural heritage of the space, but plastic chairs, tables and couches give the rooms a lived-in aspect conducive to work.
Courtesy Zico House