Jerusalem's Historic Orion Cinema Site to Undergo Major Redevelopment
Translated & summarized from Kipa by baba
Jerusalem's District Planning and Building Commission has approved a major redevelopment of the historic Orion Cinema site in the city center. The plan includes 202 new housing units in two towers, a 140-room hotel, and commercial spaces, alongside the preservation of historic buildings and the revival of the Orion Cinema as a cultural venue. The project aims to blend urban growth with historical preservation, creating a new public piazza and commercial areas.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Hundreds of housing units and a hotel will be built in Jerusalem's historic Orion Cinema complex.
- The plan includes 202 housing units in two towers, with about 30 designated as small apartments.
- A 12-story hotel with 140 rooms is part of the approved redevelopment project.
- The historic Orion Cinema building and the Lipschutz House will be preserved.
- A new urban piazza and commercial spaces are planned for the central Jerusalem site.
- The project aims to combine urban development with the preservation of the city's heritage.
A significant urban renewal project has been approved for the heart of Jerusalem, centered on the historic Orion Cinema complex. The plan, greenlit by the District Planning and Building Commission, will introduce hundreds of housing units, a hotel, and commercial spaces while preserving the area's historical structures. A key component is the revival of the Orion Cinema itself, which will once again function as a cinema and cultural venue.
The development targets the block bounded by Hillel, Shama'i, and HaHistadrut streets, near the light rail on King George Street. It includes the construction of 202 housing units in two towers, one 34 stories and the other 30 stories high. Approximately 30 of these units will be small, under 55 square meters. Additionally, a 12-story hotel with 140 rooms will be built.
The project aims to blend urban development with historical preservation. The Orion Cinema will be maintained with its architectural features, including its distinctive steel structure. The Lipschutz House within the complex will also be preserved. A new green urban piazza is planned for the center of the complex, intended as a public gathering space, with active commercial frontages along the surrounding streets.
Around 3,300 square meters will be allocated for public buildings, suitable for a college, school, or cultural institutions. Dan Kenaan, District planner for Jerusalem at the Planning Administration, stated that the plan integrates urban development with the preservation of the city's historical and architectural heritage. He emphasized that the cinema's reactivation is crucial for strengthening the cultural identity of central Jerusalem. The plan was initiated by Tnupha Company and designed by Ian Bader Architects.