It is a fight.

Beirut, March 2002

Introduction

Why does the Historic Bay of St. George remain unfinished? A complex legal battle opposes the Hotel to Solidere’s expansion toward the adjacent water surface. The owning company—granted landfill work by the CDR—cannot lawfully be cut off from the sea.

Legal Rights & Historical Background

• Decree no. 8822 (1932) and no. 784 (1937) authorize the Hotel’s construction on lots 349, 377, 1243 and adjacent Maritime Public Property.
• Decree no. 2660 (1959) authorizes an additional 2000 m² of Maritime Public Property.
• Decree no. 14981 (1957) enables the Saint George Yacht Motor Club.
• Decree no. 4810 (1966) and Law 58/67 consolidate acquired rights for touristic projects.

Sector 5 & Western Marina

The Bay is excluded from Solidere’s rehabilitation perimeter (Decree no. 2236, 1992). Subsequent decrees (including 7660, 6155, 7388, 7692, 8939, 9880) and Council decisions generated conflicts over management and access, with Sector 5 repeatedly singled out.

Conflict Overview (1994–2001)

• Approved master plans and subsequent cancellations created contradictory governance.
• Negotiated agreements (e.g., 7 Mar 1997) coexisted with later decisions expanding external control, including attempts to merge Sector 5 into the western marina.
• Physical interventions—seawalls, blocked access, marina closure—impaired the Hotel’s value and public utility.

Conclusion

Protecting local investors’ lawful rights is essential to attracting foreign investment. The Saint George’s restoration demands separate, lawful management of Sector 5, restored sea access, and the end of monopolies beyond their jurisdiction.

“Beirut without the Saint George Hotel is like the Cedars without trees and Baalbek without columns.”

Historical Background

More than a hotel, the St. George’s built in 1929 became a myth and part of the Lebanese heritage. Standing on a unique site, surrounded by the sea, it was designed in the shape of a boat of which the circular front terrace was the deck and enjoyed the advantages of the sea front which carries its name.

In 1973, it was described by Fortune magazine as one of the most beautiful hotels in the world and until 1975 it was the cosmopolitan center of Beirut city and the privilege of the most successful local and international personalities. Many kings, ministers, and political leaders were the guests of the Hotel: King Hussein of Jordan and his family, the Shah of Iran and Princess Soraya, French Ministers Artoli and Malraux, Georges Bush before he became President of the USA, Cypriot leaders, the Aga Khan and the Begum, the King of Afghanistan, the Prince of Abu Dhabi Chakhbut Ben Sultan El-Nahian, and a Prime Minister of Great Britain to mention only a few.

Great stars have also been seen in the Hotel, among them Brigitte Bardot, Charles Aznavour, Johnny Hallyday, Catherine Deneuve, Alain Delon, Gilbert Becaud, Abdel Wahab, and Oum Koulthoum.

Many well-known journalists, businessmen, diplomats and other important personalities met regularly in its famous bar: the Marquis de Cuevas, David Rockfeller, John Paul Getty, the Comte de Paris and Isabelle of France, Abu Said, correspondent of Time magazine, Muhamed Hasanein Heykal, editor-in-chief of the Egyptian daily Al-Ahram, and the famous British spy Kim Philby, who was seen in the Bar just before he disappeared.

Among Lebanese personalities figured Former President Camille Chamoun, who was the Honorary President of the Board of Directors of the Hotel, Mr. Raymond Eddeh, Mr. Kamal el Assad and Emir Majid Arslan.

Unfortunately, during the war, the Hotel was completely destroyed, looted and occupied. For Time magazine, this marked the end of Lebanon and it pictured the St. George’s in a black frame on its front page.

Today, all Lebanese and foreigners who have known the prestige of the Hotel and have been awaiting its reopening as a symbol of Lebanon’s rebirth with the beginning of the new millennium are surprised to see it still closed whereas development in the Hotel region is being carried out. The questions are: Why is the St. George’s being kept without repair? Why is work still delayed? Who will compensate for all the losses incurred?