JEDDAH: One of the oldest structures in the historic Al-Balad neighborhood of Jeddah, the 19th-century Sharbatly House, has been transformed into a center that hosts cultural, literary, artistic, scientific and intellectual events.
The renovations were carried out by Abdullah Sharbatly's grandson, businessman Seifalah Sharbatly, who sought to modernize the building while preserving its character, foundation and interiors, as well as the original brick walls. New materials exported from countries including Sweden and Egypt meet strict heritage conservation standards.
Seifalah Sharbatly said the restoration of the Sharbatly House took place before Al-Balad became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (Provided)
Sharbatly told Arab News that every tile placed in the historic building is a link to its heritage. “You will find written on the back of the plate, '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, aiming not only to restore the building, but also to revitalize it and transform it into a cultural center.
HIGHEASY
• Many historic houses in the area were abandoned until the Ministry of Culture led the project to revive Al-Balad and transform its heritage into tourist attractions.
“The idea to create a cultural house came from my passion for art, culture and poetry and 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 crumbling in some parts, including the ceilings, and covered in dust.”
The Ministry of Culture led the project to revitalize Al-Balad and transform its heritage into tourist attractions. (Provided)
Soon after, he approached his father and made a case for extensive renovations to bring the property into the 21st century, which was agreed.
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 house came from my passion for art, culture and poetry and my desire to preserve the historical building left by our grandfather.
Seifalah SharbatlySaudi businessman
“We were ahead of the curve on preserving the heritage of the area,” added Sharbatly.
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.
In its day it served as the headquarters of the Egyptian mission in Saudi Arabia and for about 30 years it was a vital point of contact for Egyptian traders and entrepreneurs doing business in the Kingdom upon arrival through the seaports of Jeddah.
“After we restored the house as much as we could, we didn't want the house to be like other historic houses in the area, most of which (have become) museums,” Sharbatly said. “So I seriously thought about doing it differently, paying attention to it and introducing ideas to bring back the luster it had almost lost over the years.”
Sharbatly said he wanted the house to promote Saudi cultural identity.
“Our vision for the cultural house is 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 great initiative to revive the neighborhood and bring it back to its glory days, regaining its charm and significance as a cultural destination.”
When the Ministry of Culture took control of the area, Sharbatly sat down with officials to outline his long-term vision and plan.
Then he moved on with a new, more ambitious project: “The house became one of the most popular cultural places,” he added.
The Sharbatly House project has been instrumental in promoting awareness of the Kingdom's cultural heritage among both local and international visitors. To continue 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 in negotiations with Saudi officials to save my other 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 and valuable house and could be preserved and promoted.”
