Hamra

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Rue Hamra (Hamra street) 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.^[1] Before 1975, Hamra Street was Beirut's trendiest street, referred to as Beirut's "Champs Elysées."^[2] 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.

It hosts a large number of western shops such as (Radio Shack, Costa and Nike Town), and many local ones. It is also known for it's tourist appeal and variety of hotels. It's main landmark is the Crowne Plaza. The street buzzes with life during the summer when many tourists, espicially from the gulf area flock to Lebanon.

Prior to 1975, Hamra Street was referred to as Beirut's "Champs Elysées" as it was frequented by tourists all year round. Beirut's Piccadilly Theatre was one of the major theatres 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 close by American University of Beirut and Lebanese American University.

Although it is yet to revive it's legacy that it made during the pre-civil-war Lebanon, Hamra street has undergone many renovations.

[edit] 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.