In an interview with the Bangkok Post, Tyler Brûlé, founder of Monocle magazine, was asked to name the magazine’s favorite city. Here’s his response:
A favourite city is very different from a liveable city. We named Helsinki the most liveable city for 2011. I don’t think Monocle would go as far as to say what our most favourite cities are. It’s pretty clear that we like a city that has a good quality of life, a place that is quite free, and one that has a relaxed environment. We like Beirut even though it is politically volatile. Istanbul is also interesting, and I think Turkey is an emerging market.
So Beirut offers a good quality of life, freedom and a relaxed environment? I can see instances where you would have one of these attributes but all three at the same time? But then again, as of August 2010, Tyler is a proud owner tenant of a flat in Ashrafieh and (probably by now) should have completed transferring his furniture from Zurich to Beirut. I guess he’s an insider and knows the city well enough to take that call. So if you are ever at his usually hangouts (Lazy B Beach Club, Hotel Albergo, Papercup in Mar Mikhael, Varouge in Bourj Hammoud, Li Beirut bar in Hamra) be sure to say Hi.
Gay men have had a love affair with Beirut and Lebanon for some time now and they have a very refined sense of taste.
When you have a lot of money, Lebanon “is” an interesting place to live in.
He doesn’t own that beautiful apartment by the way. But he’s dishing out more money to rent it than a senior Bank manager’s salary.
Thanks for the details, I made the assumption that he owned it.