Boulevard of Bauhaus Dreams
There is no place like leafy Rothschild, Tel Aviv’s first boulevard, for its number and variety of fascinating buildings.
Rothschild is by far the most popular and dynamic of Tel Aviv’s boulevards—and it is easily the loveliest. Stretching from Habima Theater practically until the eastern edge of Neve Tzedek, Rothschild is shaded by Ficus trees, lined with benches and dotted with restaurants and outdoor coffee kiosks that are frequented night and day.
The buildings along the boulevard run the gamut of Tel Aviv styles, from Levantine eclectic to International, to non-descript modern office towers. Rothschild’s picturesque surroundings draw an equally diverse crowd, from young families to business types to locals looking for a spontaneous game of chess or petanque.
Attractions:
67 Rothschild Blvd. Samuelson House.
Architect: Haim Sokolinsky, 1932.
A three-story residential building that was converted into offices. The building has distinctive cubist characteristics, with its wide balconies facing the boulevard fronting Nahmani Street.
71 Rothschild Blvd. rieger House.
Architect: Zeev Rechter, 1934.
A three-story residential building, featuring clean, restrained lines. The outstanding element is the recessed balconies that create a play of light and shadow between the openings and the wall.
82 Rothschild Blvd. Rubinsky-Brown House.
Architect: Yosef and Zeev Berlin, 1933.
A residential building whose horizontal lines flow from the vertical stairwell windows to both facades, characterized by its strong pattern of balconies and windows. Its overhanging roof and the use of different plaster finishes emphasize the horizontal lines.
83 Rothschild Blvd. Berlin House.
Architect: Yosef Berlin, 1929.
The home of Yosef Berlin and his wife Shoshana, a sculptor and painter. The house is built of silicate bricks that form a decorative motif of triangular outcroppings and an interesting play of light and shade.
84 Rothschild Blvd. Engel House.
Architect: Zeev Rechter, 1933.
A large residential building that has become one of the symbols of Modernist architecture. The first building in Tel Aviv to be built on pillars (pilotis), Engel House also features a roof garden.
89-91 Rothschild Blvd. Yitzhaki House.
Architect: Pinhas Hitt, 1933.
Twin residential buildings that are a mirror image of each other, separated by greenery. The balconies in the front section are angular and shaded, while in the rear section, the porches are curved. The buildings create an unusual unit that stands out from the adjacent structures.
Don’t miss the balcony across the street at 96 Rothschild, where a sculpture by Ofra Zimbalista depicts three standing figures – two women and a man; their open mouths make them look as if they were caught mid- sentence, or perhaps mid-song.