After 26 years, the #Beirut_Central_Market for fruits and vegetables is back in focus. The project consists of an eight-story building located in Ard Jalloul. Completed in 2000, it is fully equipped with refrigeration units, storage facilities, and large halls, and was designed to be one of the capital’s largest markets—aimed at organizing the fruit and vegetable trade, reducing informality, and bringing street vendors into a structured framework.
However, the project was halted after construction was completed, as operating costs were found to exceed expected revenues.
Today, the project is being reconsidered, with plans for rehabilitation and reactivation, alongside discussions to expand its use by introducing additional commercial activities to boost #revenues. The cost of restarting operations is estimated at around $1 million. The facility also includes meeting and training halls, positioning it as a potential interactive space connecting farmers, producers, and consumers.
A final decision is expected within a month to determine the project’s future—whether it will be relaunched as a modern central market or repurposed within a different economic project. A committee has also been formed to oversee rehabilitation efforts and remove obstacles in preparation for reopening the market.
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