Hamra Street

Hamra Street (Arabic: شارع حمراء) is one of the main streets of the city of Beirut, Lebanon, and one of the main economic and diplomatic hubs of Beirut. Due to the numerous sidewalk cafes and theatres, Hamra Street was the center of intellectual activity in Beirut during the 1960s and 1970s. Before 1975, Hamra Street and the surrounding district was known as Beirut's trendiest, though in the post-war period it has arguably been eclipsed by Rue Monot in Ashrafieh, Rue Gouraud in Gemmayzeh, the fashionable Rue Verdun and the lavishly rebuilt downtown area. In the mid 1990s, the Municipality of Beirut gave a face lift to the street to reattract tourists all year round. Today it is a commercial district with a number of hotels, furnished apartments and coffee shops.

History

- Opening of American University of Beirut on Bliss Street at the end of the 19th century.

- One of the Arab region's most dynamic areas. Frequented by the Arab region's most prominent writers, intellectuals, artists.

- First act of resistance against the Israeli occupation in 1982 at the Wimpy Cafe (now Vero Moda store).

Demographics

Muslim Sunnis and Christians

Economy

It hosts a large number of western chains (including Radio Shack, Gloria Jean's, Caribou Coffee, Costa Coffee and Starbuck's), as well as many local shops. It is also known for its tourist appeal and variety of hotels. Its main landmark is the Crowne Plaza. The street buzzes with life during the summer when many tourists, especially from the Persian Gulf area, flock to Lebanon.

Before the Lebanese civil war, Hamra Street was known as Beirut's "Champs Elysées" as it was frequented by tourists all year round. Beirut's Piccadilly Theatre was one of the major theaters in the Middle East. Hamra Street is a first-rate commercial district which proudly displays the latest fads in fashion. It also hosts a good number of hotels, furnished apartments and coffee shops that cater to visitors and students from the nearby American University of Beirut and Lebanese American University.

Hamra no longer functions as the cosmopolitan bastion of sectarian Lebanon. The Lebanese civil war and the ensuing government regulation that enforced rent control on all of the buildings removed the neighborhood's elite, pre-war cachet. However, the neighborhood remains trendy and profitable because of:

1) the historical significance of the neighborhood;

2) the attraction of "authentic" Beirut to foreign tourists, particularly those from the Persian Gulf;

3) the historic Hamra red light / supernightclub district, and the present acceptability of opening pubs, bars, and public cafes that serve alcohol in the district;

4) the current locations of the Lebanese Central Bank (Banque Du Liban), many private banks, multiple major newspapers (As-Safir, the wartime and pre-war headquarters of An-Nahar, and the near neighbors Al-Akhbar and Al-Mustaqbal), and many Lebanese government ministries (including the Ministries of Interior, Information, Tourism, and Economy and Trade), which have existed in Hamra since before the civil war;

5) the close proximity and economic focal points of four of Lebanon's most significant universities: the American University of Beirut, the Lebanese American University, the Armenian Haigazian University, and the government run Lebanese University Law Faculty.

6) the booming commercial scene in Hamra St. that is attracting tourists from all continents during all seasons to stroll along its sidewalks whether during the early morning or late night. Hamra St. is a combination of what has been there for over 50 years from retail shops to cafes and restaurants and is witnessing the opening of new cafes and eateries such as the "cafe-trottoir style" charming Bread Republic where you can enjoy the local taste of healthy bread and pastry and a large selection of breakfast or lunch items on its creative menu, Costa Italian Coffee shop, Cafe Younes where students from nearby universities mostly hang out, the new trend of diner restaurants like Roadster diner, Crepaway and cow & apple, the retail shops like Vero Moda, La Senza, Aldo Shoes, Nine West,ABC department store, Moustache, jewelry shops, ...

Although it has yet to revive fully its pre-war legacy, Hamra Street has undergone many renovations and is still regarded by many as the heart of the city.

Geography

Hamra runs through the heart of Ras Beirut/Beirut Bay area and connects Downtown Beirut with the inner Western Beirut Areas. The street is also a walking distance from the American University of Beirut and Lebanese American University.