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Bait Amir Al Bahar ‘House of the Prince of the Sea’ is a mid-18th-century house located outside the historic city walls of Jeddah's Red Sea port. The building’s ambiguous history is shrouded in mystery with many circulating myths about its origins and the different functions it has served over the years. Blending Eastern and Western architectural styles, the design incorporates elements reminiscent of early 18th-century Greek Orthodox chapels, which were significant cultural landmarks in the Eastern Mediterranean region during that period.
A defining feature of the house is its unique alignment: constructed to face the north, it serves to align its occupants cardinally in its interior and within its context. The rooms within the house are therefore named based on their directional orientation—such as the northern, eastern, and western rooms—creating a spatial organization rooted in geography.
Over the years, Bait Amir Al Bahar has fallen into disrepair. The Commission for Tourism and Cultural Heritage in Jeddah undertook an exterior renovation to preserve its historic façade. After UNESCO made its decision to include Jeddah’s Al Balad neighborhood as one of its globally significant historical sites new guidelines necessitated a restoration that adhered to strict guidelines for interior refurbishment.
Looking forward this initiative aims to create a dynamic link between Jeddah’s historic Al Balad neighborhood and the larger Al-Baghdadiyah area to the north, adding an elegant historical aesthetic that enhances the surrounding architecture.
In response, Bricklab undertook a meticulous renovation, adhering to these guidelines while respecting the house’s original design and historical materials. As part of the renovation, the ceiling was structurally reinforced, and a staircase was added to access the roof, transforming it into an additional outdoor space. The ground floor was excavated to reveal the building’s original foundations, which were documented in archival photos from the 1960s-70s. The exterior woodwork and staircase were painted green, a move that recalls historic Jeddah’s colorful and diverse past.
Bait Amir Al Bahar stands as a testament to Jeddah's rich history and its ongoing dialogue between the past and the future. The building’s preservation and repurposing underscore a commitment to honoring historical architecture while fostering community engagement in Jeddah’s evolving urban landscape.
