Beit Romano, the beloved center of alternative culture in Tel Aviv, has been saved from closure and will remain open to the public, thanks to a recent announcement made by Ron Huldai on his Facebook account. The building, which was sold to real estate developers about a year ago, was at risk of being turned into a boutique hotel and luxury apartments. However, it will now be owned by the municipality and designated as a public building.
This news comes as a relief to the many establishments within Beit Romano, such as the frequency, the harpy, the jazz kissa, the Nueva record store, the Romano restaurant, and other municipal institutions that operate there. They will be able to continue operating without any disruptions. The municipality’s decision ensures that Beit Romano will remain a hub for cultural activities and will not be transformed into another commercial development.
In his announcement, Huldai expressed his excitement for all lovers of culture and nightlife in the city. He emphasized that Beit Romano has become more than just a trading house for textiles and clothing. With the opening of the Tadar, the complex has become a cultural institution and a place of pilgrimage for fashion lovers and artists. Huldai stated, “I am happy to say that after long negotiations, we have reached an agreed-upon plan with the developers that transfers Beit Romano to the ownership of the municipality and designates it as a public building. The developers will be compensated in other projects in the city. The municipality will continue to preserve and develop this important property with all its might.”
Beit Romano’s sale to YBox real estate company in early 2022 had sparked outrage among the thousands of young people who frequent the place. The new owners’ intention was to connect it to the nearby Gat Rimon complex and develop a hotel and residential complex there. The news caused despair among the artists who rented studios in the building, as the rent was set to increase dramatically. The situation seemed hopeless until now.
Although the terms of the deal between the municipality and the developers have not been fully disclosed, it is known that additional construction rights will be granted to the developers in other projects. The responsibility for Beit Romano will be transferred to the municipality’s culture department, ensuring its preservation as a center for contemporary culture. The municipality intends to allow the current bodies operating in Beit Romano to continue their activities while also introducing new cultural projects and activities.
This news has been met with enthusiasm and optimism, with many hailing it as the best news of the year. Beit Romano’s future as a place of cultural and public value in Tel Aviv has been secured. The proposed plan designates Beit Romano as a public zoning, allowing for diverse public uses, as well as trade, craft, and creative employment. The municipality’s plan includes the addition of construction rights for affordable housing and the increase of public space in the area.
The Municipality of Tel Aviv-Yafo has stated that the proposed plan will go through the necessary approval processes, including discussions in the local committee. The plan aims to not only preserve Beit Romano’s unique activities but also contribute to the overall development of the surrounding area.
In conclusion, the successful negotiation between the municipality and the developers ensures that Beit Romano will continue to thrive as a vibrant center for alternative culture in Tel Aviv. The future looks bright for the frequency, the harpy, the jazz kissa, the Nueva record store, the Romano restaurant, and all the other establishments within Beit Romano, as they can now operate without the fear of closure. This is undoubtedly a significant victory for the lovers of culture and nightlife in the city.