House of Amin: Along Ahmad Al Jaber road, directly across from the Oula gas station, stand the ruins of an old home. According to Jerome Poulalier, it is the “House of Amin, a famous estate in the heart of Kuwait City, now abandoned because three families proclaim ownership and the case has remained open for years due to its unique complexity. The rooftops are deteriorating but the house, built of concrete instead of traditional mud-bricks, still stands as a prominent symbol of Kuwaiti heritage and innovation.” Here are photos of the house, including as seen from above from Al Hamra tower.

Nearby is Bait Sharq, which thankfully is being restored! (photos were taken in Sept of ’22/June of ’23)

Qaser Fahad Al Salem on Gulf Road. The photos come from Maha Alessa

Qaser Nasser Al Sabah, nearby to the Pearl Marzouq. The photos come from Maha Alessa.

A small unoccupied home along Cairo Street

Across the street from the Salmiya Palace Hotel used to be an old house, which you can see below in 2012. It has since been torn down and a drive-through Starbucks built in its place.

The Mirror House was created between 1972 and 2006 by artist Lidia Al Qattan. On the first floor is an art gallery of pieces by Khalifa Al Qattan. Visits are by appointment only.

Built in the 1960s: “The Rainbow House”

Built in 1958: Al Husainan’s House, the photos below are by Abdulraouf Murad, the art by Dana Al Rashid

Built in the 1940s: Behbehani House Complex which contains 28 units, one of which houses the Dar Al Funoon Art Gallery today

Built in the 1940s: Bait AlOthman, the house was renovated and opened as a museum in 2013

Built in 1936: Sadu House, which is currently a museum about the Bedouin art of weaving known as “Sadu”

Built in the 1930s: Bait Ghaith, which survived the process of urbanization that radically changed Kuwait’s urban landscape after the discovery of oil in 1938 and then was later restored

Built in the 1920s: Bait AlCedra, which currently houses a store that sells unique homegoods

Built in 1915: Al Ghanem House, which currently under renovation by the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL)

Built around 1900: Bait Dickson, which is named for Violet Dickson, who was married to the British Political Agent of Kuwait and who lived in the house between 1929 and 1990

You can read about other old houses in Kuwait, many of which have since been demolished, here:

• Al Shaya House
• Kuwait City
• Old Pigeon Tower
• By Marina Mall (Torn Down) – it was often photographed in the 2000s
• Bayt Lothan
• Abu Hasani
• Fintas
• Old Houses
• Mangaf
• Salmiya