Centrally located in Beirut, Lebanon, the Nicolas Sursock Museum stands as a testament to modern and contemporary art. This local treasure first welcomed visitors in 1961, committed to collecting, preserving, and showcasing artistic masterpieces from around the globe.
DG Jones, renowned for their project management expertise, is proud to have spearheaded the significant 2010 expansion. The Municipality of Beirut entrusted us with guiding the transformation, resulting in a fivefold increase in the museum's total Built-Up Area (BUA) from 1,500m2 to 8,500m2.
Tragically, on August 4, 2020, Beirut suffered a catastrophic explosion near the port, which severely damaged buildings citywide, including the Sursock Museum. The blast's ripple effect led to substantial structural harm to the Museum’s infrastructure, facades, exhibition halls, storage facilities, and administration areas. Notably, invaluable archaeological artifacts and cultural heritage items suffered extensive damage, and some were irrevocably lost - a significant blow to Lebanon’s cultural heritage.
After nearly three years of closure, the Nicolas Sursock Museum emerged from the rubble, revitalized and reimagined, thanks to the joint efforts of UNESCO Beirut, the ALIPH Foundation, the French Ministry of Culture, the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), and Saint-Gobain. On May 26, 2023, the Museum reopened its doors, offering locals and tourists an opportunity to rediscover its unique collections.
The renovation was carried out in two strategic phases. The initial phase focused on repairing the doors, windows, stained glass, skylights, waterproofing, woodwork, elevators, and cafeteria. Subsequently, the second phase dealt with facade restoration, internal partitioning, gypsum works, tiling, painting, and miscellaneous finishing, alongside essential electromechanical works.
At DG Jones, we feel incredibly privileged to have played a role in bringing this prestigious project to fruition. Our heartfelt gratitude goes to our Senior Project Manager, Georges Kyrillos, and his dedicated team, whose commitment ensured the project's timely and budget-conforming completion. Through our collective efforts, we have helped rekindle Beirut's artistic and cultural heart.
