Old and New in Dialogue: Preservation and Renewal in the Urban Core
Located on one of Tel Aviv's historic streets, just a short walk from the coastline, two eclectic-style buildings dating from the 1920s had stood for decades in need of preservation. Defined by distinctive architectural features, including Moorish arched windows and richly detailed ornamentation, the buildings had been altered over time by deterioration and later additions that obscured their original façades and architectural character. The project sought to restore the buildings' historic presence while making use of the remaining development rights to expand and unify the two structures. The new intervention was carefully integrated with the preservation of both original façades, maintaining the identity of the historic buildings while accommodating their continued development.
From Material Dialogue to Residential Experience
The project, developed in collaboration with Kimmel-Eshkolot Architects, included the careful restoration of the original façades using a historically informed color palette of sky blue and gray-beige, selected to emphasize the buildings' architectural details. The main intervention involved adding a contemporary white residential volume above the historic buildings. Its clear geometric form is deliberately distinguished from the original structures, allowing the new addition to remain visually legible as a separate architectural layer. The original entrances along Allenby Street were converted into active commercial spaces, including a transparent glass volume positioned between the two historic buildings as part of the retail frontage. Residential access was relocated to the rear, creating a quieter and more private entrance away from the busy street. At street level, the project establishes an urban plaza with an active commercial frontage, while the upper levels accommodate a diverse mix of residential units.
