Recently, I noticed the Thunayan Al Ghanim Building at the Sheraton roundabout had been vacated and looked like it might be getting demolished. That worried me because of its historical importance, so I reached out to the family, and it turns out the building is actually going to be restored.
When the building was constructed in the 1950s, it was considered one of the most advanced in Kuwait. In the photo above the building is under construction while surrounded by traditional Kuwaiti houses, a very noticeable contrast at the time.
The Thunayan Al Ghanim Building was also the first building in Kuwait to have an elevator. There are stories of Bedouins coming in from the desert just to watch what they called “the flying horse” that can go up and down. Over the years, the building housed the original Kuwait Oil Company offices, the British Consulate, Kuwait’s first English bookshop (later opened in the basement of Al Muthana Complex), and the original Sultan Gallery.
Because of its historical value, the family plans to preserve the building.
7 replies on “Thunayan Al Ghanim Building Being Restored”
Thankfully some good news when it comes to preserving Kuwait’s history.
Wholeheartedly agree.
Hope this sets a precedent for the others to follow…
Will there be something new added to the building? I remember seeing it vacant with most shops closed down.
Remember it for the Rolls Royce showroom as well as for the Kuwait Bookstore. It was the only place in town to stock French textbooks for school.
Exactly. What’s there in this building now?
offices