On one of Tel Aviv’s most recognizable corners, a building that once drew generations of moviegoers is beginning its next act.
The ABY, a new 40-room boutique hotel, has opened at the intersection of Allenby and Ben-Yehuda streets, on the site of the historic Zamir Cinema.
Developed by hospitality entrepreneur Danny Tamari in an equal partnership with the Eilat-based Astral hotel chain, the approximately NIS 40 million project brings new life to a preservation building with deep roots in Tel Aviv’s cultural history.
For decades, Zamir Cinema was part of the city’s entertainment landscape and a gathering place for generations of moviegoers. The building also played a role in the wider Israeli film industry, with films distributed from the site to cinemas throughout the country.
Designed in the International Style of the 1950s, the building stands at Mugrabi Square, once an important center of Tel Aviv life. After years of decline and neglect, the square and surrounding area have been undergoing a renewal, with the area expected to become a vibrant pedestrian zone.
Even the hotel’s name is tied to its location. “Aby” is derived from the initials of Allenby and Ben-Yehuda, reflecting its position at the meeting point between central Tel Aviv and the sea.
Preserving the building’s history was central to the hotel’s nearly eight-year planning, preservation, and renewal process, led by architect Yoav Messer, who also served as the building’s preservation architect.
The road to opening came with an unexpected setback. The hotel’s debut was delayed a year, after the building sustained damage from a missile blast. Its eventual opening marks both the completion of a lengthy preservation project and another step in the ongoing revitalization of this stretch of central Tel Aviv.
'A place that tells a Tel Aviv story'
“The ABY was born from a deep love for Tel Aviv and from a desire to create a place that tells its story,” Tamari said. “It was important to us to honor the history of the building and the memories it carries, while at the same time opening a new chapter for it.”
For Tamari, The ABY follows the hospitality philosophy he established with The Vera, his boutique hotel on Lilienblum Street, which opened around eight years ago. Israeli creativity is at the heart of both properties, with an emphasis on local artists, manufacturers, suppliers, and products.
At The ABY, that approach can be seen throughout the hotel. With interiors by Dan Troim, the design draws inspiration from the property’s location between the city and the sea, incorporating warm walnut wood, exposed concrete, naturally finished copper, mashrabiya screens, and marble in sandy and Mediterranean stone tones.
Local artists, manufacturers, and suppliers are incorporated throughout the property, from faucets specially manufactured domestically to art and design pieces found across the hotel.
The hotel lobby also houses the flagship store of Aroogot, an Israeli natural cosmetics brand whose skin-care products are based on natural ingredients grown in fields surrounding the Gaza border communities.
Local wines are offered to guests in the lobby, while breakfast is served on ceramic tableware created by Israeli ceramic artist Adi Nissani.
Breakfast will also be open to the general public, giving Tel Aviv residents a reason to experience the property without staying overnight.
These partnerships form part of The ABY’s broader emphasis on local sourcing and its “minimal waste” philosophy. The approach is intended to incorporate sustainability into the hotel’s everyday operations, from its design choices and collaborations with local manufacturers to its preference for Israeli-made products.
For Tamari, the connection to local creators and businesses is fundamental to the experience the hotel hopes to offer.
“We believe that true hospitality begins with a connection to a place, to the people, culture, art and community around it,” he said. “The ABY is designed to allow guests not only to visit Tel Aviv, but to be part of it, even if just for a moment.”
For the remainder of the year, a two-night weekend stay for two, from Thursday to Saturday, ranges from around NIS 1,600 to NIS 3,000.
My pick is the Garden Room, one of the priciest options but also the most serene, with a plush king-size bed dressed in 400-thread-count Egyptian cotton linens and a private terrace complete with a bathtub.
Rooms are best suited for two guests, although a couple of room categories can accommodate an extra bed for a child.
Coming soon
Some of The ABY’s most interesting features are still to come, with the hotel planning programming intended to bring together visitors and Tel Aviv residents alike.
Among them is a biweekly running club that will depart from the hotel and conclude with cocktails on the rooftop.
In the near future, the property will also organize local art and cultural tours and pay homage to its cinema roots, with plans to host film screenings under the open sky. It’s a fitting connection between the site’s past and what The ABY hopes to become.
Rather than functioning solely as a hotel for visitors, The ABY is positioning itself as a neighborhood hub for locals and travelers alike. After decades of bringing Tel Aviv residents together through film, its next chapter feels closely tied to both that cultural legacy and the continuing revival of Allenby Street.
The writer was a guest of the hotel.
She is an avid traveler, travel writer, and VP of communications at travel tech start-up Faye Travel Insurance. Her travel tips have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Fox News, and more. Follow her on Instagram @Gumport.