Old Jerusalem railway station to reopen as cultural center

The 130-year old Ottoman era Jerusalem train station will reopen this spring as a cultural and entertainment center, which will be open on the Sabbath. The project includes landmark buildings, a park, restaurants and fashion stores.

Last year, Florentine Ltd., owned by developer Avi Morduch, won a Jerusalem Development Authority tender to design, build, preserve, and operate the site as a cultural and entertainment center, similar to the center at Tel Aviv's Ottoman railway station at the other end of the line. The Jerusalem train station, across the street from the Khan Theater, was one of the country's first stations, and operated until 1998, when the railway line to Tel Aviv was shut down.

The railway station complex will offer culinary workshops, a pub, tourist information center, a 160-square meter art gallery and theater, and an open air market with changing stalls.

The developers have signed the first lease for the site, with Café Landwer, a nationwide chain of 20 cafes. Café Landwer will pay rent and a percentage of turnover under a five-year lease with a five-year option to extend.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on March 4, 2013