Florentine Neighborhood

In the southern side of the city you can find Florentine Neighborhood, with its captivating combination of Industrial and residential, young and old, trendy and poor.

The History

Florentine neighborhood is yet another southern neighborhood which, in resemblance to Jaffa, is charming but unable to overcome financial and social difficulties. It was established years ago by the new inhabitants of Israel who originally came from Greece and Turkey(especially from Saloniki). It was supposed to be a simple and pretty neighborhood, intended for the community of newcomers. But things didn't workout as planned and the residents slowly left the neighborhood for areas further north.

Florentine Today

These days the neighborhood and its surrounding area is inhabited by many of Tel Aviv's foreign workers, young students and long time residents. The area is poor, and no matter how the municipality tries to improve the living conditions and the atmosphere, by redoing the area's infrastrusture or trying to promote educational activities, the neighborhood is still rundown. During the day though, it is a busy and vibrant place where people flock to, buying furniture and fabrics, or visiting the excellent Levinsky Market.

A few years back, Florentine was really expected to flourish, after a very successful television series chose the neighborhood as its location. Since then, Florentine has established its reputation as a cool place, trendy and modish, loved by the young, bohemian and reckless. Many students and artists have set up shop here, enjoying the inspiring atmosphere and cheap prices.

Attractions

Many cafes, bars and food joints have been opened, and they are very popular with the young local clientele. Bugsy is a very popular bar which serves one of the best hamburgers in town, Shirale Espresso Bar is a charming café, and you can find an excellent humus in Humus Beit Lehem on Vital Street.

There are many more options in the area, for tourists from Israel or abroad. Take a look at our Picturesque Day in the South to give you some more ideas.

Comments (2)

Nice information, but out of date already
written by yael on March 3, 2008

This information was probably accurate a couple of years ago, but not really today.

Florentin is being developed and it's changing a lot - even though the core atmosphere of coolness doesn't seem to have been affected.

There's a lot of new developments going up in every conceivable space, plus the area just north of Florentin street (between Florentin and Neve Tzedek) is slated for a complete redevelopment by the TA city hall, meaning that the old, grungy industrial areas are being flattened and replaced with new apartment blocks, which means more people with more money.

In the past year a lot of new places have opened in Florentin, with a slightly more upmarket air, if still edgy - there are several new boutiques on Florentin street, plus some new art galleries. A lot of the small industries (factories) have closed down and their spaces are being redeveloped as living spaces or for different types of businesses.

Many of the old Bauhaus buildings are being given a much needed facelift, as well, which can only be a good thing. The area is supposed to become a second Sheinkin and it's growing that way now.

So it's not accurate any more to say that Florentin cannot shake off its poverty and downmarketness, it's quite evidently doing that daily and property prices are increasing to reflect that.

i agree
written by izak on April 4, 2008

i love florentine atmosphere, it remind me of the bastille area of paris... rue de charonne...little cafe it has definitely a bohemian and artsy flair, that what makes the area appealing, like was neve tsedek at its beginning, it is obvious that it is happening right now , florentine has this genuine relax attitude and it is a plus today in israel!

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