KUWAIT CITY: A quiet sense of farewell settled over Souq Sharq on Saturday as visitors, tenants, and longtime investors said goodbye to the historic waterfront complex, marking the final day before vacating the premises ahead of its long-awaited redevelopment.

For many, the departure was more than a procedural deadline. It was a moment of pause at a place woven into the personal memories of generations of Kuwaitis and expatriates — a space where morning walks met sea breezes, families gathered after sunset, and shopkeepers built livelihoods over decades.

As shutters closed and footsteps echoed through familiar corridors, visitors lingered longer than usual, taking in views of the Gulf and recalling a time when Souq Sharq stood as a meeting point between Kuwait’s maritime past and its modern urban life.

The Public-Private Partnership Authority has launched a tender for the comprehensive modernization, development, maintenance, management, and operation of the Souq Sharq waterfront project, signaling the beginning of a new chapter for the iconic destination.

While the site prepares for transformation, the emotions left behind reflect the deep connection the community holds with the landmark. Many expressed hope that the renewed Souq Sharq will return in a modern form that honors its heritage, preserves its spirit, and once again becomes a gathering place by the sea — familiar, yet renewed.

For now, Souq Sharq rests in memory, awaiting its next meeting with the city it has long called home.