Israel property Many thousands of kilometers to the west, Israel launched its own project in architectural replication this week: the Bella Lugano quarter in Yehud. Inspired by the the Italian-speaking section of this Swiss city, it is the brainchild of Mayor Yossi Ben David, who became well acquainted with Italy while working in his previous job in textiles.Israel real estate The old center of Yehud is built on the ruins of the Arab village of Yehudia and suffers from many of the syndromes that typically afflict downtown areas in Israel. It is outdated and neglected, and hard-pressed to compete with the successful mall that opened a few years ago in nearby Kiryat Savionim. All attempts to resuscitate it, including establishing a pedestrian mall, have failed.
As part of the renewal project that will encompass 200 dunams, the old downtown will be completely demolished except for the spire of a mosque from the old village of Yehudia and a tomb from the Mamluke period. Two apartment towers will be built and between them - the jewel in the crown - the Italian quarter with picturesque four- and five-story residential buildings. The ground floors will contain shops and feature ornamented colonnades and neoclassical columns. The building fronts will be painted in shades of orange, peach and lavender, and combine European motifs with Israeli sun porches.
