JEDDAH: Sharbatly House – A Marvel of Restoration and Revitalization
In the heart of Jeddah’s historic Al-Balad district stands Sharbatly House, a 19th-century gem that has been transformed into a vibrant center for cultural, literary, artistic, scientific, and intellectual events.
The mastermind behind the renovations is none other than Seifalah Sharbatly, grandson of Abdullah Sharbatly and a visionary businessman. His goal was to modernize the building while honoring its rich history, original structure, and unique interiors, including the iconic brick walls. Imported materials from Sweden and Egypt were carefully chosen to meet stringent heritage preservation standards.
Seifalah Sharbatly shared that the restoration of Sharbatly House took place before Al-Balad became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (Supplied)
Every tile laid within the historic walls of Sharbatly House is a testament to its heritage, with each tile bearing the inscription ‘Made in Hejjaz’ on the back. Sharbatly emphasized the painstaking effort it took to source antique tiles of identical shapes, underscoring his commitment to preserving the building’s authenticity.
Sharbatly poured his heart and soul into every aspect of the project, aspiring not only to restore the building but to breathe new life into it as a cultural hub.
HIGHLIGHT
• Ministry of Culture Revives Al-Balad’s Heritage
“The concept of creating a cultural house stemmed from my deep passion for art, culture, and poetry, and my unwavering commitment to preserving our grandfather’s legacy in this historic building,” Sharbatly explained. “The idea took root in 2013 when I visited our abandoned house, crumbling in parts, covered in dust.”
The Ministry of Culture led the project to revitalize Al-Balad and turn its heritage into tourist attractions. (Supplied)
After a compelling case to his father, extensive renovations were greenlit to bring the property into the modern era. However, what Sharbatly thought would take three years ended up being a seven-year labor of love.
The restoration of Sharbatly House predates Al-Balad’s UNESCO World Heritage Site designation, showcasing the foresight and dedication of the project.
“The idea of creating a cultural house came from my passion for art, culture, and poetry, and from my keenness to preserve the historic building left by our grandfather.”
Seifalah Sharbatly, Saudi businessman
Sharbatly reflected on the building’s illustrious history, originally constructed in the late 19th century by Al-Sharif Abdulilah Mihanna Al-Abdaly. It later became the cherished family home of Abdullah Sharbatly.
Serving as the Egyptian mission’s headquarters in Saudi Arabia, Sharbatly House was a pivotal hub for Egyptian traders and entrepreneurs for three decades, facilitating business transactions through Jeddah’s bustling sea ports.
Post-restoration, Sharbatly sought to differentiate Sharbatly House from other historic homes in the area, envisioning a cultural beacon that would shine brightly once more.
“We aimed to infuse the house with Saudi cultural identity,” Sharbatly stated passionately.
“Our vision for the cultural house is to be a haven for artists of all backgrounds, from seasoned professionals to budding talents, showcasing a blend of traditional and contemporary expressions,” he added.
The Ministry of Culture’s initiative to revitalize Al-Balad and transform its heritage into tourist attractions was applauded by Sharbatly, who praised the efforts to restore the district’s former glory.
As discussions with Saudi officials unfolded, Sharbatly unveiled plans for an expanded cultural complex in Al-Balad, inspired by iconic cultural venues like Egypt’s El-Sawy Culture Wheel.
His next mission? To preserve his grandfather’s historic house in Al-Ruwais, currently slated for demolition, echoing his unwavering commitment to safeguarding Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage.