Jeddah: One of the oldest structures in Jeddah's historic Al-Balad district, the 19th-century Sharbatli House, has been transformed into a center hosting cultural, literary, artistic, scientific and intellectual events.
The renovation was carried out by Abdullah Sharbatli's grandson, businessman Sefalah Sharbatli, who sought to modernize the building while preserving its character, foundations and interiors, as well as its original brick walls. The new materials, exported from countries including Sweden and Egypt, comply with strict standards of heritage protection.
Saiflah Sharbatli said the Sharbatli House was renovated before Al-Balad became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (supplied)
Sharbatli told Arab News that every tile placed in the historic building was a link to its heritage. “You will find 'Made in Hezzaz' written on the back of the tile,” he said. He said the process of finding antique tiles of the same size took a long time.
He put his heart and soul into every detail of the project, aiming not only to restore the building but to revitalize it and turn it into a cultural center.
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• Many historic houses in the area were abandoned until the Ministry of Culture spearheaded a project to revitalize Al-Balad and transform its heritage into tourist attractions.
He said, 'The idea of building a cultural house came from my passion for art, culture and poetry and my desire to preserve the historical building left by my grandfather. “The idea started in 2013 when I visited our house, some parts, including the roof, were collapsed and covered in dust.”
The Ministry of Culture spearheaded a project to revitalize Al-Balad and turn its heritage into tourist attractions. (supplied)
Soon he approached his father and made a case for extensive renovations to bring the property into the 21st century, which was agreed to.
The work took a long time, Sharbat said, “It takes me about three years to repair but it took me seven years.”
The restoration took place before Al-Balad became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The idea of building a cultural house came from my passion for art, culture and poetry and my desire to preserve the historical building left by my grandfather.
Seifalah SharbatlySaudi businessman
“We were at the forefront of the heritage conservation program in the region,” added Sharbatli.
The four-story building, located in Al-Baya Square, was built by Al-Sharif Abdullah Mihanna Al-Abdali in the late 19th century. It was later sold to Abdullah Sharbatli and became the family home.
In its time it served as the headquarters of the Egyptian mission in Saudi Arabia, and for nearly 30 years was an important touchpoint for Egyptian merchants and entrepreneurs who traded in the kingdom after arriving from the sea ports of Jeddah.
“After I restored the house to the best of my ability, I didn't want it to become like the other historic houses in the area, most of which (became museums),” Sharbatli said. “So I thought I'd make a difference by seriously focusing on it and coming up with ideas that would restore the luster it's lost over the years.”
Sharbatali said the house wanted to promote Saudi cultural identity.
“Our vision for the cultural house (for it) is to be a home for all artists – from professionals to amateurs, from established to emerging and from traditional to contemporary,” he said.
Many of the historic houses in the area were abandoned until the Ministry of Culture spearheaded a project to revive Al-Balad and transform its heritage into tourist attractions.
Speaking about the efforts, Sharbatli said: “The ministry's initiative is not only to create a tourist destination but also to bring our generation and their children back to the heartbeat of Jeddah.
“It was a great initiative to revitalize the district and restore it to its glory days, regaining its charm and its importance as a cultural destination.”
After the Ministry of Culture took control of the area, Sarbatli sat down with the authorities to present his vision and long-term plan.
Then he moved on with a new, more ambitious project: “The house has become one of the most popular cultural venues,” he added.
The Sharbatly House project has played an important role in promoting awareness of the state's cultural heritage among 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 zone in Al-Balad.
“I hope one day my house will be as big as the (El-Sawi Culture Wheel), which is considered one of the most important cultural sites in Egypt,” Sharbatli said.
He also revealed a new mission: “Right now I am in talks with the Saudi authorities to save my other grandfather's house located in Al-Ruwais area.
“Unfortunately, the house is scheduled to be demolished along with the rest of the buildings. I am trying to remind them not to demolish (it) because it is a historic house and is valuable and should be preserved and promoted.
