Bullet-scarred 1920s Barakat Building preserved as a memory museum and cultural centre.
Beit Beirut, formerly the Barakat Building and known as the Yellow House, is a corner apartment building of the 1920s designed by architect Youssef Aftimus and built by Nicolas Fattal. It stood directly on the Green Line at the Sodeco crossing, and snipers used it throughout the civil war. Left abandoned for decades, it was saved from demolition and restored as a museum of the city's memory, opening in stages from 2016. Its limestone facade still shows bullet scars. Inside, the restored spaces host exhibitions on Beirut's history, so access depends on the programme. The building is one of the clearest places to understand how the civil war divided the city and why heritage preservation became a public cause.
| Admission | Varies |
|---|---|
| Hours | Exhibition hours only |
| Address | Damascus Road at the Sodeco intersection, Beirut |
Why it matters
Symbol of civil war memory and heritage preservation
Location
Damascus Road at the Sodeco intersection, Beirut
33.8870, 35.5084 View on map
Highlights
- Bullet-scarred limestone facade
- 1920s architecture
- Memory museum
- Faces the Green Line
Tips for visiting
- Check beitbeirut.org for hours.
- View the facade from the street.
- Combine with the National Museum.
- Visit weekday afternoons.
When to visit
Weekday afternoons during exhibitions.
Accessibility
Lifts installed in restoration; access depends on events.
Frequently asked questions
Is it always open?
No; only during exhibitions and events.
Who designed it?
Architect Youssef Aftimus.
Is it free?
Entry depends on the programme.
Why is it scarred?
It was a sniper position on the Green Line.