Grand Serail
The Emir confirmed his rise to power with the construction of a watchtower - Burj Umm Dabbous - in a prominent location on the hill, in the 17th century. Over the years, Serail Hill became the seat of authority in Beirut. In their bid for control of the city, the Ottomans selected this location, from which Ibrahim Pasha's Egyptian military encampment had ruled for almost a decade. In 1853, the military barracks for the Ottoman army was built, along with a parade ground. This was followed a few years later by a military hospital. When the barracks became the residence of Governor Fuad Pasha, a second floor was added and the building became the Grand Serail. The Saint Louis Capuchin Cathedral was built in 1863; it overlooked the city. The Serail Clock Tower, designed by the architect Youssef Aftimos, was inaugurated in 1898 in honor of Sultan Abdul Hamid II. During the French Mandate, the military hospital became the Court of Justice. In 1991, the building was converted in order to host the Council for Development and Reconstruction. A third floor was added to the Grand Serail. Since its inauguration in 1999, the building accommodates the Prime Minister's offices and residence.