Jerusalem Approves Major Urban Renewal Plan for Historic Orion Cinema Site
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Jerusalem's District Planning and Building Commission has approved a final plan to renew the historic Orion Cinema complex, adding 202 housing units, 140 hotel rooms, and commercial spaces. The plan includes preserving and reopening the iconic Orion Cinema as a cultural venue after 30 years. The development will also feature two residential towers, a hotel, and a new urban piazza, aiming to revitalize the city center while maintaining historical heritage.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Jerusalem's District Planning Commission approved a final renewal plan for the historic Orion Cinema complex.
- The project will add 202 housing units, 140 hotel rooms, and commercial spaces to the city center.
- The iconic Orion Cinema will be preserved and reopened as a cinema and cultural venue.
- The development includes two residential towers, a hotel, and a new urban piazza.
- The plan aims to blend new urban development with the preservation of Jerusalem's historical heritage.
Jerusalem's District Planning and Building Commission has given final approval to a significant urban renewal plan for the historic Orion Cinema complex in the heart of the city. The project will introduce 202 new housing units, 140 hotel rooms, commercial spaces, and approximately 3,300 square meters for public buildings and a new piazza. A key element of the plan is the preservation and reactivation of the iconic Orion Cinema, which will once again operate as a cinema and cultural venue after a 30-year hiatus.
The development, located at the intersection of Hillel, Shamai, and Ha'Histadrut streets near the light rail line on King George Street, will feature two residential towers, one 34 stories and the other 30 stories high. Of the 202 apartments, about 30 will be small units of up to 55 square meters. The plan also includes a 12-story hotel with 140 rooms and commercial storefronts along the surrounding streets.
A central green urban piazza is planned to serve as an open public space for leisure and gatherings, enhancing pedestrian activity and connectivity between the streets. The historic Orion Cinema building, a Jerusalem landmark since its opening in 1938, will be preserved with its unique architectural features, including its steel structure. The plan also incorporates the preservation of the nearby Lifshitz House, aiming to blend new urban development with historical heritage.
The project, initiated by Tnupha Company and designed by Ian Bader Architects, was inspired by the successful restoration of the Esther Cinema in Tel Aviv. Dan Kenaan, Jerusalem District Planner, stated that the plan is a "significant breakthrough for the renewal of central Jerusalem," presenting a unique model that combines intensive urban development with the preservation of historical and architectural heritage. He emphasized the focus on public space quality, educational and cultural institutions, and the creation of a vibrant urban center.
The Orion Cinema, known for its distinctive semi-cylinder shape inspired by New York's Radio City Music Hall, once seated 1,400 people. It operated until the 1990s and has since housed various functions, including a McDonald's and, more recently, a hostel and cultural center called "Hostel Cinema" since 2018.
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