Restoring an icon: From derelict warehouses to a vibrant hub

THE BACKGROUND 

Jaffa Port is one of the oldest ports in the world and, today completes the Tel Aviv shoreline. Jaffa Port has long been part of Israel’s history – from the Bible to the establishment of the modern state. Most famously, it is the port from which the Biblical character, Jonah, set sail in the story ‘Jonah and the Whale’.

THE NEED

Although Jaffa is recognized as a tourist and cultural site, it has been neglected and fallen into a state of disrepair. This project represents a vital opportunity to revive the area – a place of co-existence and diversity – and secure its future as a hub for the people and a gateway to the sea.

THE PROJECT 

The project will convert Jaffa Port’s derelict warehouses into a vibrant hub of culture and leisure which is accessible to all. The new precinct will uniquely demonstrate Tel Aviv-Jaffo’s connection between history and today. Utilizing the existing structures, its features will include:

– Marine school and sea scouts center
– Live music and theater performances
– Indoor/outdoor leisure spaces
– Restaurants
– Market stalls
– Art galleries

Jaffa’s rich fishing history will be contemporized through seafood delicacies and water activities for children, even as local fishermen set out to continue their centuries-old tradition in the area.

THE INVESTMENT 

TOTAL PROJECT COST 110,000,000 NIS

This can be broken down into the various elements of the project, i.e. Warehouse 2, Warehouse 3, outdoor precinct, etc. Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality Matching Funds 55,000,000 NIS

TOTAL DONATION REQUESTED 55,000,000 NIS