Originally built in 1913, the eclectic architecture-style property in Tel Aviv’s Neve Tzedek neighbourhood has been meticulously restored, and reimagined as a charming 44-room boutique hotel.
Officially welcoming guests since May 2023, Elkonin Tel Aviv hotel is part of the prestigious MGallery Hotel Collection, housed in a property that served as Tel Aviv’s first-ever hotel, originally built in 1913. Formerly playing host to some of the most prominent figures in art, literature, politics and royalty, including Albert Einstein, King Abdullah of Jordan, and the first prime minister of Israel, David Ben-Gurion, Elkonin Tel Aviv is located in the city’s picturesque Neve Tzedek district and has been restored with meticulous attention to detail by Tel Aviv-based architecture studio, Bar Orian, and interior design studio, ICONIQUE hailing from Paris.
Franco-Israeli owner Domonic Romano acquired the defunct building in 2004 with the intention to give Elkonin a second life, and re-introduce the art of hospitality to the institution. Local architecture firm, Bar Orian, was hired to restore the 20th-century listed property protecting its original architectural motif, including stone pillars, railings and magnificent extended window sills, and extend the property to add a site-specific glass-ensnared eight-story modern structure that provides access to the rooftop on the seventh floor. This seamless fusion of the old and new represents a beautiful reflection of Tel Aviv’s history and contemporary spirit.
The crown jewel of the property can be found on the hotel’s ground floor, adjacent to the lobby, at the property’s flagship restaurant L’Epoque by Robuchon. Seating up to 70 guests, L’Epoque provides an intimate restaurant experience that is drenched in natural light and candle-lit in the evening. The restaurant was distinctively designed and accented with brass and glass interiors with each detail speaking to a commitment to sophistication. Elevating guests’ dining experience, tableware at L’Epoque has been meticulously sourced from the French masters of porcelain, Bernarduad and silver flatware from Christofle – adding a touch of French heritage and timeless grace to every meal.
Drawing inspiration from two renowned furniture designers of the previous century, Wormley and Jean Royere, Schor created a collection of pieces for L’Epoque that pays homage to the classics, incorporating a contemporary touch. The restaurant features a modern rendition of renowned American designer Wormley’s chair designs, resulting in a captivating seating arrangement that beckons both comfort and style, as well as sophisticated millwork reminiscent of Royere’s iconic dining tables, curated through piping and meticulous detailing on cabinets. Working alongside Californian-based furniture manufacturer, Eric Brand, Adriana produced all the furniture, cabinetry and armoires featured throughout the spaces of the establishment. The restaurant also offers a private dining space for up to 20 guests offering a library-style ambiance. Alternatively, the restaurant offers a Bar Lounge on its ground floor, adjacent to the main restaurant, and is open from morning to night.
Beyond a traditional hotel, Elkonin Tel Aviv is a testament to the rich art and culture scenes of Tel Aviv. The property showcases Israeli artists in its public spaces, rooms and suites. Hand-selected and curated by Adriana Schor, Elkonin Tel Aviv has acquired original pieces by leading international artists and photographers, including a specially commissioned “Love Wall” by James Goldcrown. The hotel also collaborated with photographer Tom Hegen to adorn its walls with a series of aerial photographs of salt fields, creating a symmetry between the interior design and color scheme of the Mediterranean location of the hotel. Reviving the building’s artistic heritage, on the second floor stairwell of the preservation building, adjacent to the entrance of the hotel, is a hand-painted fresco dating back to the early 1920s, which the hotel commissioned expert restoration artists, Shay Farkash and Eli Shaltiel of Israeli preservation studio, Tchelet, to protect and beautify.
The property’s restoration also saw the addition of three basement floors, housing the hotel operations center, a restaurant kitchen and a spa level with courtesy of French wellness brand Clarins, featuring five treatment rooms, dressed in shades of white and beige, a relaxation lounge and hammam – allowing guests to totally immerse themselves and disconnect from everyday life.
