80 Men. One Vision. Strict Timeline. Zero Room for Error.
Nestled in the heart of Beirut, Lebanon, the Hotel Riviera and Resort is a venerable historic gem that seamlessly combines its rich past with luxury. This distinguished 5-star establishment is not only renowned for its heritage but is also celebrated for housing one of Beirut's prime beach clubs.
The Hotel is arranged over 5 floors, comprises120 guest rooms and suites, including 3 restaurants and 2 bars.
Hotel Riviera didn't need reinvention. It needed a complete restoration. After decades of glory and years of wear, this historic landmark was slipping.
The legacy was already there, timeless architecture, unbeatable location, and a guest list that reads like ahistory book. But after years of wear and neglect, what it needed was a steady, careful hand to bring it back to life without erasing its soul.
My role was exactly that: I led a crew of over 80 craftsmen - day in, day out - through a full-scale refurbishment of the hotel and its iconic beach club. Every inch was stripped, restored, and reimagined under my direct supervision. No gimmicks, no shortcuts - just obsessive attention to what mattered: reviving Riviera's legacy with razor-sharp precision.
No redesign, no rebranding - just a detailed process of renewal. I stripped back the damage, preserved the character, and gave every space the attention it had long been missing. Rooms were refreshed. Finishes were brought back to life. Public spaces reenergized. Every decision balanced heritage and function, never losing sight of the past, while making place for the future.
It wasn't about trends or flashy upgrades. It was about respecting what worked, fixing what didn't, and making sure Riviera could stand tall again - with its history intact and its presence sharp.
It wasn’t created to be admired. It was created to heal.
