I always find myself walking towards this mansion when I am around Ras Beirut. It is one of the oldest mansions in Beirut, as The Rose House goes back to the 19th century.

You can notice the rose color on the outer layer of this mansion stands out even while standing next to the new lighthouse in the Manara area, because it is upon a hill. I personally love this house and was lucky enough to walk inside of it before it got locked, as I always enjoy visiting abandoned houses around Beirut.

The fact that anyone can pass by this hidden gem and observe its beauty while drinking a juice that they’ve brought with them and telling their own stories about the numerous families who lived in The Rose House is a soothing storytelling exercise in its own right.

I really hope this gem can turn into a project that preserves its architecture and serves the people of this city – maybe in the form of a public space, or even an Airbnb!