The Weekly Leaks: A Mega Food, Nightlife and Hotel Project in Jounieh’s Old Souk

Where?

The Old Jounieh Souk, to be more precise, at the mouth of the street a few buildings down to the right. Find the location on the map below.

What?

For now, it’s being dubbed the “Fathallah Hayali Project”. It is a complex of Lebanese-style stone buildings in the Old Jounieh district that will include several restaurants, clubs, pubs, cafes and a boutique hotel.

The complex has access to both the iconic ancient road and to the Mediterranean Sea shore that Jounieh is famous for.

Who?

 In the first building

• Dunkin Donuts has already opened up shop in the complex and is looking good
• A pub by Natalie Fadlallah, of Natalie’s Modeling agency (works undergoing in the pub as of mid-December)

• Couqley - the affordable french bistro in The Alleway in Gemmayzeh is branching out to Jounieh
• Shogun – the awesome sushi and Chinese restaurant from Verdun will be setting up shop in Jounieh also
• On the attic, a pub is set to open up but I wasn’t able to find out who or what or the name. They’ll have an awesome view though! (views of the beautiful Harissa Mountain as well as the sea, pictures below)

In the third building

• A 50-room boutique hotel
• Access to the beach

When?

Gradually towards the summer of 2012. The building is complete and the contracts have either been signed or are being signed in the next quarter. I expect the investors and companies interested to make haste and be ready before their peak season in summer.

Conclusion

This is an awesome project that will bring a much-needed diversity to the Jounieh nightlife, shopping and entertainment district. Pubs and cafes are plentiful, but quality dining and modern lodging do need a rejuvenation and some new blood in town.

I have very high hopes for this project and will keep you updated with the leak as it progresses. In the meantime, if you missed it, check out the Blueberry Square Mall plans in Dbayeh.