Beirut , Lebanon ( CNN ) -- If cranes are a visual barometer of the economic vibe of a city then central Beirut is buzzing . Targeted car bombings linked to the ongoing Syrian conflict have raised anxiety and hurt overall growth in the Lebanese capital in recent years . But this seems to be a city that endures when it comes to real estate . During the boom years towards the end of the last decade , total sales rose by 36 % here hitting nearly $ 9.5 billion in 2010 , according to Bank Audi . And even though there was a slowdown last year , real estate purchases fell just 2.4 % to $ 8.7 billion . According to local property expert Freddie Baz , financial troubles elsewhere in the world have failed to dampen local or international interest in Lebanon 's high end property market . `` Despite figures which show some kind of slowdown or stagnation , there are 400 real estate projects which are ongoing in Beirut , corresponding to close to 2 million square meters of development , '' Baz said . One such initiative is the 3 Beirut project in the center of the city 's bustling business district . Although a couple of years behind schedule , the structure designed by British architects Foster & Partners is comfortably selling units priced as high as $ 10,000 per square meter ( $ 929 per sq ft ) , senior adviser to the project , Farris Fara , told CNN . Elsewhere , developers like Karim Basal have been throwing up boutique , modern apartments with a total area between 30 and 70 square meters to cater for modern city living . On the city 's waterfront , meanwhile , British design firm Stow is making a statement with the edgy Le Yacht Club leisure and residence development . This particular area of the city has had huge support from Lebanese investors based abroad . Over the last 6 years , there 's been nearly $ 100 billion of net inflows into the country , more than half of which came in the midst of the financial crisis between 2008 and 2010 . `` At the end of the day , they ( Lebanese investors ) are working all over the world , Europe , GCC ( Gulf ) countries but they all need to come and own part of the country , '' said general manager of Le Yacht Club , Walid Kanaan . Kanaan said he has sold a fifth of the flats ahead of the delayed opening in April with almost all going to Lebanese people outside the country . While these investors may not suffer the first hand effects of car bombs or other violent spillover from Syria , Beirut 's continuing appeal is a sign that this city has been shaken but not toppled during another period of regional uncertainty . See also : London 's insane luxury basements . See also : Paris metro stations get stunning second life . See also : Can tiny emirate outshine Dubai .
Property in Syria has grown impressively despite war in neighboring Beirut . Real estate purchases totaled nearly $ 9.5 billion in 2014 alone . 3 building projects are currently underway in the British capital , local experts say .