Beirut Ashrafieh:
Ashrafieh is among the oldest Christian district of the Eastern Beirut. It lies on the hilly region of the East Beirut alongside the seashore. It is sometimes spelled as Achrafieh, as well. It is used for both residential and commercial purposes. It is characterized by huge apartments, narrow and congested streets and office buildings. Ashrafieh is a best area of interest for investors and tourists.
In the past times Ashrafieh was mainly used for farming by several Christian families that lived here for centuries. Later on it was modernized and roads and highways were constructed by the Lebanese government that was working under the French Mandate at that time. These Christians families were forced to sell their land to the Lebanese government.
Previously, Ashrafieh was ruled by the seven economically and socially influential Christian (Greek Orthodox) families. These families actually created the Beirut High Society for several centuries and years.
These families were:
Fayad
Ferneini
Bustros
Sursock
Trad
Tueini
Araman
Ashrafieh is divided into several small areas, which include:
Jaitaweh
Fassouh
Gemmayzeh
Gouraud
Karem El-Zaitoun
Monot
Sodeco
Sioufi
Sursock
Escalier de Saint Nicolas
Sassine
Famous Buildings:
Important and Prominent buildings of Ashrafieh neighboring area "St Nicolas" include:
Sursocj House
Sursock Museum
Sofi Building
Famous Builsdings of the Ashrafieh neighboring area "Tabaris" include:
812 Tabaris
Ashrafieh Tower
Yared Building
Metropolis
L'Hermitage Building
Ashrafieh is considered an important tourist outlet in
Beirut where a great number of restaurants, coffee shops and nightclubs are located.
