Al-Hamra, Jeddah

Al-Hamra is a seaside district in central Jeddah, extending along the Red Sea shore to the north of the historic district. It is bordered on the west by the corniche and crossed by main roads such as Palestine Street and Al-Andalus Road.

The district came into being as Jeddah expanded northwards after the removal of its old wall in the mid-twentieth century. Palaces and spacious residential buildings were built there, followed by hotels, shopping centres and administrative buildings, and a number of consulates and foreign missions established their premises in it. Its seafront was developed as part of the corniche project.

The district faces King Fahd's Fountain, which stands in the sea just off the coast. This section of the corniche has walkways, gardens and a group of sculptures displayed in the open air, and the streets of the district contain restaurants, cafes and hotels. Al-Hamra is one of the districts that represent the period of urban modernisation in Jeddah and a lively area combining housing, commerce and leisure.