The New BIEL: A First Look
After 17 years in its current location at the Beirut Waterfront near the Central District of Beirut, BIEL is moving to a new, much bigger, much more central location in Beirut’s Tahouita.
The 43,000sqm project will start operating as early as this April, with the first phase of the project already under construction. Phase 2 will be completed by June 2018, Phase 3 by April 2020 and the final fourth phase in April 2021.
Personally, I am glad BIEL is moving. The current location is an absolute nightmare when there’s an event, with thousands of cars coming in via a single entrance because all the others either didn’t exist, or were always closed with cement blocks for some reason. I would often park in Beirut Souks, and walk, given the parking was so expensive and often still a long walk to the actual venue.
The new location has several exits and entrances, as well as ample parking spots. It’s also adjacent to several main highways and thoroughfares that connect the venue to the areas in Metn, Baabda and Beirut.
Location: Tahouita
The Plans and Renders
I’ve been sniffing around the new BIEL story for a few weeks, and managed to dig up the below renders. Hopefully, I’ll have more information soon.
The good thing about the new BIEL is it will include a lot of green space that will be accessible to the public, which is much-needed given the only other public green space that’s big enough, Horsh Beirut, is largely still off-limits for us taxpayers even after years of demanding it be opened fully to all of Beirut’s residents.
I will be posting more as soon as I know anything new, but it looks like it’s going to be a lot more than just an exhibition space this time around!
