Saifi Village

Saifi Village, commonly referred to as Le Quartier des Arts, is an upscale, residential neighbourhood in Beirut, Lebanon. Saifi Village is located at the southeastern periphery of Centre Ville. The village is bordered by Rue Charles Debbas to the south, Rue George Haddad to the east, Rue Gouraud to the north, and Rue Ariss & Kanaani to the west.

The neighbourhood was completely destroyed during the war in Lebanon. However, Solidere has rebuilt the neighbourhood and restored its historic, French-colonial buildings and winding cobblestoned streets. The buildings are painted in various pastel colors. [ [http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Middle_East/Lebanon/Mohafazat_Beyrouth/Beirut-1802396/Things_To_Do-Beirut-BR-6.html Beirut Things To Do - Travel Guides - VirtualTourist.com ] ] It was initially planned by French architect François Spoerry. Saifi Village is a perfect example of a New Urbanist-style neighbourhood with apartment buildings, town houses, and shops. [ [http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/back-in-action Back in Action - Beirut | Travel + Leisure ] ] The neighbourhood is also known as Le Quartier des Arts due to its numerous art galleries, antique store, artisan shops, and speciality boutiques. [ [http://www.solidere.com/saifi/saifi.html Solidere - Beirut City Center Guide - Saifi Village ] ] Every Saturday morning, farmers sell their fresh organic produce and other products at Souk el Tayeb in a little square in the village. [ [http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Middle_East/Lebanon/Mohafazat_Beyrouth/Beirut-1802396/Things_To_Do-Beirut-BR-6.html Beirut Things To Do - Travel Guides - VirtualTourist.com ] ]

Due to the outrageous cost of owning or renting a home in the Village, many apartments remain unoccupied.

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