Linda Boronkay sets jewel-toned members' club in 19th-century Beirut townhouses

Former Soho House design director Linda Boronkay has created Beihouse, a Beirut members' club dressed in pieces by local artisans, to "help rebuild and reshape a small part of the city".

Located in Beirut's Gemmayzeh neighbourhood, Beihouse sits across from the site of the 2020 port explosion that devastated the city and claimed more than 200 lives.

The members' club is set within a trio of 19th-century townhouses and their shared courtyard, which originally contained residential and commercial spaces including a now-relocated restaurant.

The architecture was severely damaged in the explosion, leaving the site facing demolition and high-rise development.

"Our studio was brought on board to sensitively restore and reimagine the site, building on its legacy as a beloved gathering place for the local community," Boronkay told Dezeen.

Vintage pieces and the works of local artisans are central to the project, ranging from handblown chandeliers to straw marquetry.

"Selecting pieces from local craftspeople was integral to our process, celebrating regional heritage and craftsmanship whilst infusing the space with authenticity and a deep sense of place," said Boronkay.

"Working closely with these artisans allowed us to create bespoke elements that truly embody the spirit and culture of the community," she added.

"It was a profoundly cathartic, symbolic and emotional experience working with such exceptionally talented individuals to help rebuild and reshape a small part of the city."

A winding alleyway leads to Beihouse's central courtyard, featuring a centuries-old olive tree that shades seating arrangements accented by jade green upholstery.

Inside, a series of rooms are united by opulent interiors. The ground-floor garden bar is crowned with a ceiling of sculptural stars and swirly clouds, while a central drinks bar is topped with green marble and backed by a Lalique mirror.

Boronkay clad the adjacent garden lounge with coral-pink walls, providing a colourful backdrop for mosaics depicting martini glasses and cigarettes as a nod to Beirut's thriving nightlife.

"It's a visual feast, meticulously crafted with bespoke details," said the interior designer.

The lounge's custom cornices were crafted to emulate delicate wildflowers – a symbol of resilience during the Lebanese civil war of 1975 to 1990 – selected by Boronkay to honour the "strength and grace of the Lebanese people".

Four distinct rooms make up the five-metre-high restaurant, laid out in separate spaces to emulate the intimacy of a house. Among the seating areas is a private dining room accessed via a "secret" mirrored door.

Textured surfaces feature throughout the club, including plaster bas-reliefs and trompe l'oeil "adorning virtually every surface", including colourful graphic flooring.

"The palette is carefully curated with earthy neutrals and rich jewel tones accented by pops of vibrant hues," said Boronkay.

For the upper floor, the designer chose darker tones. A living room-style space was finished with a deep blue alcove, offset by an abstract pink oil painting.

Cigar leaf motifs clad the chunky brass bas-relief fireplace in the cigar lounge, which is characterised by olive green walls and a lilac carpet with scribbly patterns.

"We wanted to create an atmosphere that felt both luxurious and inviting, combining an air of sophistication with warmth and comfort, encouraging guests to feel both enchanted and at ease," said Boronkay, who previously designed Soho House Mumbai during her tenure as design director of the global members' club group.

The rooftop level houses a garden and a dedicated ceramics studio, reserved for workshops and exhibitions.

Beirut has faced a series of devasting events in the last five years, with the 2020 explosion followed by an economic crisis and Israel launching one of its most severe military campaigns against Lebanon in decades.

Amid a fragile ceasefire at the end of 2024, Lebanese architects and designers told Dezeen they were determined to keep working and producing locally despite the ongoing uncertainty to keep the country's celebrated craft community afloat.

"This experience has deepened my appreciation for the resilience, skill and cultural richness of Lebanese artisans," said Tara Sakhi of design studio T Sakhi.

The photography is courtesy of Linda Boronkay Design Studio.

Project credits:

Bespoke furniture: Intercasa
Bespoke lighting: Intercasa
Bespoke rugs: Tapis Tarhini
Rattan furniture: Beirut Bloomers
Joinery: Atelier Moussawer
Straw marquetry: Bushra Khayyat
Mosaic: Charbel Salemeh
All marble (including bathroom sink): Sakher Azar
Painting: Idriss Mehio
Windows: Impronta

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