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Situated on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, Beirut is one of the oldest cities in the world that has been shaped throughout its 5,000 year history by Phoenicians, Romans, Greeks, and the Ottomans. The Lebanese capital has been for decades a cosmopolitan city and a focal cultural and geographical link between Europe and the Middle East.
Often labeled as a resilient city, Beirut has been subject to numerous devastating events throughout its history, from a brutal 15-year civil war to one of the biggest non-nuclear blasts in history. Nowadays, the city boasts a skyline full of contrasts, where contemporary buildings rise alongside Ottoman, Roman, and Byzantine ruins. Its architecture, along with its renowned cuisine, distinguished night life, archaeological sites, and hospitable people have reclaimed it as a sought-after touristic destination.
If you plan on visiting Beirut soon to explore all of what the vibrant city has to offer, we've put together a list of 20 contemporary projects built by acclaimed local and international architects that will introduce you to the Lebanese capital's architecture scene. The list features residential, commercial, educational, and mixed-use developments spread across the city and its peripheries.
Zaitunay Bay and Town Quay / Steven Holl Architects
![Beirut Architecture City Guide: 20 Contemporary Projects to Explore in the Lebanese Capital - Image 8 of 21](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/62ff/3af2/dfb6/3101/6e9f/5492/newsletter/beirut-city-guide-20-contemporary-projects-to-explore-in-the-lebanese-capital_16.jpg?1660893949)
Beirut Souks / Rafael Moneo
![Beirut Architecture City Guide: 20 Contemporary Projects to Explore in the Lebanese Capital - Image 5 of 21](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/62ff/3aec/dfb6/3101/6e9f/5490/medium_jpg/beirut-city-guide-20-contemporary-projects-to-explore-in-the-lebanese-capital_16.jpg?1660893938)
CGM CMA Headquarters / Nabil Gholam
![Beirut Architecture City Guide: 20 Contemporary Projects to Explore in the Lebanese Capital - Image 6 of 21](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/62ff/3b46/79c4/8906/6202/4cc0/newsletter/beirut-city-guide-20-contemporary-projects-to-explore-in-the-lebanese-capital_4.jpg?1660894029)
USJ Campus of Sport and Innovation / Youssef Tohmé and 109 Architects
![Beirut Architecture City Guide: 20 Contemporary Projects to Explore in the Lebanese Capital - Image 9 of 21](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/62ff/3b80/dfb6/3101/6e9f/549b/newsletter/beirut-city-guide-20-contemporary-projects-to-explore-in-the-lebanese-capital_5.jpg?1660894085)
B018 / Bernard Khoury Architects
![Beirut Architecture City Guide: 20 Contemporary Projects to Explore in the Lebanese Capital - Image 7 of 21](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/62ff/3aef/dfb6/3101/6e9f/5491/newsletter/beirut-city-guide-20-contemporary-projects-to-explore-in-the-lebanese-capital_16.jpg?1660893944)
Charles Hostler Student Center / VJAA
![Beirut Architecture City Guide: 20 Contemporary Projects to Explore in the Lebanese Capital - Image 2 of 21](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/62ff/3bb3/dfb6/3101/6e9f/549d/newsletter/beirut-city-guide-20-contemporary-projects-to-explore-in-the-lebanese-capital_6.jpg?1660894133)
Beirut Terraces / Herzog & de Meuron
![Beirut Architecture City Guide: 20 Contemporary Projects to Explore in the Lebanese Capital - Image 3 of 21](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/62ff/3bdf/dfb6/3101/6e9f/54a0/medium_jpg/beirut-city-guide-20-contemporary-projects-to-explore-in-the-lebanese-capital_7.jpg?1660894179)
3Beirut / Foster + Partners
![Beirut Architecture City Guide: 20 Contemporary Projects to Explore in the Lebanese Capital - Image 16 of 21](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/62ff/3c4e/dfb6/3101/6e9f/54a4/newsletter/beirut-city-guide-20-contemporary-projects-to-explore-in-the-lebanese-capital_9.jpg?1660894293)
Stone Garden / Lina Ghotmeh
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First National Bank HQ / Raed Abillama Architects
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Plot # 1282 / Bernard Khoury / DW5
![Beirut Architecture City Guide: 20 Contemporary Projects to Explore in the Lebanese Capital - Image 12 of 21](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/62ff/3cf4/79c4/8906/6202/4cd6/medium_jpg/beirut-city-guide-20-contemporary-projects-to-explore-in-the-lebanese-capital_12.jpg?1660894457)
BAU Rooftop Lounge Bar / Rabih Geha Architects
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Images d'Orient / Rabih Geha Architects
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Issam Fares Institute / Zaha Hadid
![Beirut Architecture City Guide: 20 Contemporary Projects to Explore in the Lebanese Capital - Image 14 of 21](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/62ff/3d74/dfb6/3101/6e9f/54b4/newsletter/beirut-city-guide-20-contemporary-projects-to-explore-in-the-lebanese-capital_15.jpg?1660894585)
Marina Towers Beirut / Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates
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Spine Beirut Rooftop Bar / Gregory Gatserelia
![Beirut Architecture City Guide: 20 Contemporary Projects to Explore in the Lebanese Capital - Image 21 of 21](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/62ff/3f11/dfb6/3101/6e9f/54b9/newsletter/beirut-city-guide-20-contemporary-projects-to-explore-in-the-lebanese-capital_17.jpg?1660894996)
Aishti Foundation / Adjaye Associates
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Holcom Headquarter / Lombardini22 + DEGW
![Beirut Architecture City Guide: 20 Contemporary Projects to Explore in the Lebanese Capital - Image 20 of 21](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/62ff/3f83/dfb6/3101/6e9f/54c3/newsletter/beirut-city-guide-20-contemporary-projects-to-explore-in-the-lebanese-capital_19.jpg?1660895114)
Saleh Barakat Gallery / L.E.FT Architects
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Nestlé Waters Beirut Headquarters / Bernard Mallat Architects + Walid Zeidan
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