Here at Mamilla Mall, history whispers from every stone. Mamilla Mall is not just an upscale shopping street. It is the only open-air mall in West Jerusalem. It is a place where the past and present intertwine.
Mamilla Mall’s story stretches back to the 19th century. Mamilla Street was once a fashionable commercial district. Wealthy Arabs built homes, offices, and stores here. Jewish and Arab businessmen operated high-end shops. They sold furniture, textiles, and art.
In 1947, violence erupted. Arab mobs ransacked Jewish-owned stores on Mamilla Street. Jewish merchants fled. The area became a no man’s land during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Poor Sephardic immigrant families later occupied the derelict buildings. Workshops and auto-repair garages replaced the former stores.
In 1970, the Jerusalem municipality proposed a change. They wanted to overhaul the slum-like area. The goal was to create a mixed-use development. It would include luxury housing, hotels, and shops. Mayor Teddy Kollek enlisted architects Moshe Safdie and Gilbert Weil. They were tasked to create a plan. Their “grandiose” scheme faced opposition. Preservationist, environmentalist, and religious groups protested.
Construction of Mamilla Mall was delayed for decades. Bureaucratic disputes, litigation, and arbitration further complicated matters. Finally, Mamilla Mall opened in stages from 2007 to 2008. This was thirty-seven years after its initial proposal.
Moshe Safdie designed Mamilla Mall. He aimed to blend the mall into its historic surroundings. He used materials and construction styles similar to those of the original Mamilla neighborhood. Masonry-block construction and arches predominate. Facades from 19th-century buildings were incorporated.
Look closely. You will spot the Clark House. American evangelists built it in 1898. You can also see the Convent of St. Vincent de Paul. French nuns operated it, housing an orphanage and old-age home. The Stern House is also here. Theodor Herzl stayed here in 1898. It was dismantled brick by brick and rebuilt on Alrov Mamilla Avenue. Safdie left colored numbers on the brick facades. This emphasizes the preservation work.
Mamilla Mall features 140 stores. These stores appeal to various economic levels. You will find international brands and Israeli designer boutiques. There are Tommy Hilfiger, Zara, and Adidas.
Mamilla Mall attracts a diverse crowd. Secular and religious Jews visit here. Christians, Muslims, young couples, and families come here too. During peak seasons, about 20,000 people visit Mamilla Mall daily.
The Alrov Group presents changing exhibits of sculpture and art. These pieces are by local artists. Mamilla Mall hosts free concerts and street performances during the summer and Jewish holidays.
Mamilla Mall sits atop a six-story parking garage. It has space for 1,600 cars and 60 buses. Terraces overflowing with greenery hide the structure. Skylights bring natural light to each parking level.
Mamilla Mall is more than a shopping destination. It is a bridge between the Old City and the New City of Jerusalem. It is a place where history, culture, and commerce meet. It’s a testament to Jerusalem’s enduring spirit.