Tel Aviv – Eclectic Style architecture

When I was going through my photos on Bauhaus architecture in Tel Aviv (please see my previous post), it quickly became clear that I need to dedicate an extra post to Eclectic Style, another popular local architectural style that preceeded Bauhaus. When a big wave of new Jewish immigrants arrived in Tel Aviv in 1924 they built their homes according to the designs they were familiar with in their countries of origin. Columns, windows, arches and other features were used to enhance the exteriors. Tel Aviv is best known for its 4000 Bauhaus buildings but there are still over 800 Eclectic Style buildings nestling amongst them.

Here are some of the most famous ones. You’ll find everywhere mentioned on my Google map.

The Pagoda House, Lev Ha’ir district, 12-20 Nachmani Street (Alexander Levy 1924)

The name and the form is inspired by a traditional Chinese pagoda, which is combined with Islamic arches and Greek columns. The Pagoda House is also notable for being the first private residence in the city to have an elevator.

As I mentioned in my previous post, Bialik Street has many interesting buildings along it. (Streetview here).

The Beit Ha’ir, 27 Bialik Street (Moshe Cherner 1925)

Initially destined to be a hotel, it became Tel Aviv’s first town hall and is now a museum.

Right next door at 23 Bialik Street is another Eclectic building about which I can find no information.

Next time I’d like to visit Bialik House at 22 Bialik Street. Now a museum, the Eclectic interior looks stunning.

And of course Rothschild Bouldevard also has some nice examples…

46 Rothschild Boulevard (Yehuda Magidovitch 1924)

Originally built for a wealthy family it later became the Russian Embassy and the showroom for Sotheby’s, the British auction house. It’s now owned by two Jewish philanthropists who now run their foundation from it. Magidovitch was one of Israel’s most prolific architects.

Nobu Hotel, 55 Rothschild Boulevard

44 Balfour Street (Moshe Cherner 1929)

Just off Rothschild Boulevard is another lovely example of Eclectic, here a hybrid of European building style, decorative oriental (arabic) elements and Jewish ceramic motifs. Cherner also designed the old town hall above.