Plans to demolish a traditional Bahraini house with a preservation order over its frontage has been temporarily thwarted but it remains under threat in a row between councillors and heritage champions.
Muharraq Municipal Council voted unanimously to oppose the demolition ban placed by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (Baca) for health and safety reasons.
Currently the old building in Muharraq is crumbling and councillors fear it could collapse at any time with no finances available for its renovation.
The house, which is believed to have been built in the 1950s, has been abandoned by its owners for the past 20 years.
“Please tell me what heritage this crumbling home represents?” asked council chairman and area councillor Ghazi Al Murbati at the meeting.
“The place is falling apart and could collapse at any moment. It has cracks running down it and the house foundation has settled precariously, which is putting passers-by in danger. There have been previous scares as chunks have fallen down on to the road,” he added.
“It is just a dilapidated house that over time has become unrepairable or would be very expensive to renovate.”
Muharraq Municipality director-general Ibrahim Al Jowder said that even if it, as the municipal authority, agreed to allow the property to be demolished, there would be a clash with culture authorities.
“The council’s decision would leave the matter to be decided as an administrative dispute by the Cabinet, which would determine the home’s value and if the ban was justified.
“In my honest opinion, as the highest municipal official in the area, I believe that the house is valuable. The building is not replicated in Muharraq or any other part of the country, or even the region.
“The architect is unique. The construction materials are not used anymore, the window-style has been phased out for more than 30 years and the doors are beautiful.
“The owners have been granted permission by Baca to carry out remodelling inside, but not to touch the outside.”
His explanation was cut short by Mr Al Murbati, who shouted that if Baca wanted the exterior preserved then it should help cover the cost of repairs. “So if Baca wants the frontage then it should pay to stabilise the building and restore the so-called fancy exterior,” said Mr Al Murbati.
“The owners will not spend a fortune, which is the same as building a new strong home or commercial building, to ensure that particular architect is showcased.
“This home has to be bulldozed. Baca will not finance any preservation as it doesn’t have the money and can’t secure sponsorship.
“I fear on the well-being of my area’s residents and their safety is my top priority, not a fancy façade!”
Unique buildings, however, have played an important role in attracting tourists to the area, as reported in the GDN.
The historic Pearl Route is a series of cultural heritage sites inscribed on the Unesco World Heritage List on June 30, 2012.
It consists of three oyster beds, a seashore and 16 architectural properties throughout Muharraq, each relating to an aspect of the pearling economy connected by a visitor pathway.
It also includes three new structures, two visitor centres and a pedestrian bridge linking the shore to the town, as well as an urban design project and façade upgrade of the pathway.
The preservation of traditional buildings included reinstating lost wind towers for natural climate control using materials that matched the originals, such as coral stone reused from demolished structures and wood.
The site is Bahrain’s second World Heritage Site after the Bahrain Fort and Baca has been working for the past 10 years to preserve the 3.5km route. Restoration work on the fronts of 400 homes is already in progress.
The GDN reported in April last year that a concrete slab bearing the name of an historic dilapidated building in Bahrain plunged three storeys to the ground pulverising vehicles in its path.
The heavy chunks of masonry bore the name of Bin Nooh Hostel in Naim and dated back to Ramadan in 1957. The area was once home to boat builders linked by legend to the Prophet Noah.
They crushed two parked vehicles leaving debris scattered across the road.
A video clip circulating online showed the two damaged cars covered with concrete pieces that fell from the top of the 64-year-old building.
The property opposite Naim Health Centre was also once used as a nurse hostel and later rented out to families and traders, who eventually moved out due to its unsafe condition and an alleged lack of maintenance.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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