Historic Elite Instant Coffee Factory in Safed Demolished for Residential Towers

The iconic Elite instant coffee factory in Safed, a landmark for over 70 years, was completely demolished on Tuesday to make way for a large-scale real estate project. The factory, whose cornerstone was laid in 1956 and officially opened in 1958 by Elite co-founder Eliyahu Fromchenko, was a central part of the city’s industrial and social fabric, known for producing instant coffee that was a staple in Israeli homes. Residents recall the factory’s distinctive coffee aroma and sounds as integral to their childhood and neighborhood identity.

The factory’s establishment marked a significant industrial milestone for Safed, providing employment to around 90 families in a city with limited job opportunities. Despite its importance, the factory was also a source of urban conflict due to noise and air pollution, leading to public protests and environmental improvements over the years. Ultimately, environmental pressures and economic changes led to the factory’s closure and relocation of production abroad.

Plans for the cleared site include constructing six 14-story residential towers with hundreds of housing units, commercial, and public spaces. This dramatic urban transformation has sparked debate among locals about the neighborhood’s future character, weighing the loss of industrial heritage and jobs against the benefits of new housing in a densely populated area. Longtime resident Yoni Lubliner expressed nostalgia for the factory’s legacy while acknowledging the complex trade-offs involved.