JEDDAH: One of the oldest structures in Jeddah's historic Al-Balad district, the 19th-century Sharbatly House has been transformed into a center for cultural, literary, artistic, scientific and intellectual events.
The renovations were carried out by Abdullah Sharbatly's granddaughter, businessman Seifalah Sharbatly, who sought to modernize the building while preserving its character, foundations and interiors, as well as its original brick walls. New material exported from countries including Sweden and Egypt meets strict heritage preservation standards.
Seifalah Sharbatly said that the restoration of Sharbatly House took place before Al-Balad became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (Included)
Sharbatly told Arab News that every tile placed in the historic building was a link to its heritage. “You will find written on the back of the tile, 'Made in Hejjaz,'” he said. The process of searching for ancient tiles of the same shape took a long time, he added.
He put his heart and soul into every detail of the project, not only to restore the building but to revitalize it and turn it into a cultural hub.
HIGHLIGHT
• Many historic houses in the area were abandoned until the Ministry of Culture led the project to revive Al-Balad and turn its heritage into tourist attractions.
“The idea to create a cultural center came from my passion for art, culture and poetry, and from my desire to preserve the historic building left by our grandfather,” he said. “The idea started in 2013 when I visited our house, abandoned and collapsed in some parts, including the roof, and covered in dust.”
The Ministry of Culture led the project to revitalize Al-Balad and transform its heritage into tourist attractions. (Included)
Soon after that, he approached his father and made a goal for extensive renovations that would bring the property into the 21st century, which was agreed upon.
The work took a long time, said Sharbatly: “I thought it would take me about three years to complete the renovation but it took me seven years.”
The restoration took place before Al-Balad became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The idea to create a cultural center came from my passion for art, culture and poetry, and from my desire to preserve the historic building that our grandfather left behind.
Seifalah SharbatlySaudi businessman
“We were ahead of the preservation of the area's heritage program,” Sharbatly added.
The four-story building, located in Al-Bayaa Square, was built in the late 19th century by Al-Sharif Abdulilah Mihanna Al-Abdaly. It was later sold to Abdullah Sharbatly and became the family home.
At one time it served as the headquarters of the Egyptian embassy in Saudi Arabia, and for about 30 years was an important point of contact for Egyptian traders and entrepreneurs doing business in the Kingdom upon arrival at Jeddah's ports.
“After I restored the house to the best of my ability, I didn't want the house to be like other historic houses in the area, most of which (became) museums,” Sharbatly said. “So I seriously thought about making it different by drawing attention to it and introducing ideas that would restore the spark that it had almost lost over the years.”
Sharbatly said he wanted the house to promote Saudi cultural identity.
“Our vision for the cultural center is (for it) to become a home for all artists – from professionals to amateurs, from established to emerging and from traditional to contemporary,” he said.
Many historic houses in the area were abandoned until the Ministry of Culture led the project to revive Al-Balad and turn its heritage into tourist attractions.
Speaking about the efforts, Sharbatly said: “The ministry's initiative is not only to create a tourist destination but also to bring our generation and their children back to what was once the beating heart of Jeddah.
“It was a fantastic initiative to revitalize the district and restore it to its glory days and recapture its charm and importance as a cultural destination.”
When the Ministry of Culture took control of the area, Sharbatly sat with officials to present his vision and long-term plan.
Then he moved on to a new, more ambitious project: “The house has become one of the most popular cultural sites,” he added.
The Sharbatly House project has played a vital role in promoting awareness of the Kingdom's cultural heritage among both local and international visitors. To pursue his passion for promoting culture, the graduate student from the American University in Cairo hopes to expand his dream by creating a huge cultural area in Al-Balad.
“I hope one day to (make) my house as big as (the) El-Sawy Culture Wheel, which is considered one of the most important cultural sites in Egypt,” Sharbatly said.
He also revealed a new mission: “Right now I am negotiating with Saudi officials to save my second grandfather's house, which is in the Al-Ruwais area.
“Unfortunately, the house is scheduled to be demolished along with the rest of the buildings. I am trying to convince them not to demolish (it) because it is a historic house and valuable and could be preserved and promoted.”
