Education
Michel Abboud studied at Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture and Planning.
Michel Abboud studied at Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture and Planning.
He heads the architectural practice SOMA Architects, which he established in 2004 in New York City. He is renowned worldwide for his avant-garde portfolio, and has a reputation for projects that combine design aesthetics and user-friendly functionality. Among others, Michel Abboud designed the highly controversial Park51 Islamic Cultural Center infamously dubbed the Ground Zero Mosque, and unveiled its design in October 2010.
His one-of-a-kind design for the center was shelved, however, in favor of 45 Park Place, a 665-foot condominium tower that will sit adjacent to Jean Nouvel-designed museum and public green space.
His international work, mainly in New York, Dubai, Qatar, Erbil, and Lebanon, covers projects across several industries, asset classes and uses. Residential projects include 50 Lispenard Lofts, 93 Crosby and 45 Park Place, all in New York, as well as Dubai"s One at Palm Jumeirah and Amchit Bay Beach Residences, a beach-side community under construction a short distance from Beirut.
Hospitality-related projects include the 560 7th Hotel and 322 Lafayette Hotel, both in New York, the Shaza Kempinski Hotel in Doha, Qatar, and the Yacht Club in Baku, Azerbaijan, amongst other large projects. Smaller work includes the award-winning Workshop Kitchen + Bar, Tartinery, Yazuzu, and Naya.
Commercial/mixed-use projects include Aura in Erbil Gemini in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and the King Road Mall in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Great examples of residential projects and developments are 50 Lispenard, luxury residential lofts in the TriBeCa neighborhood, and 93 Crosby lofts in the SoHo neighborhood both located in New New York The most controversial of all projects remains Park51: The Islamic cultural center in New New York Amchit Bay Resort, 2013
The Carlton Hotel, Beirut, 2008
West, Beirut, 2010
Pollux, Beirut, 2011
The Gate, Beirut, 2011
Castor, Beirut, 2011
Nikki Beach Resort, Dammour, 2012
Batrun Annex I & II, 2005.
