Jerusalem Photography

While most media attention was focused on Holyland this week,

I would like to share some photos from a different major building project.

The new Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in Jerusalem, Israel, has opened its doors.

Since Passover time, a doorman in a top hat has been on duty.

I have been fascinated by the progress of its construction,

from a shell in November 2010,

 February 2011,

and April 2011.

Not only by day, but when it was lit up at night,

as in September 2010,

January 2011,

and as recently as in January 2014, I had to stop.

For years one had to walk in the street as in April 2011,

on or on the other side of Agron Street.

Once they built a cement wall, but then quickly removed it.

So much work and so many workers,

on scaffolding and in windows.

Sometimes I’d wonder what they were thinking,

and what they were doing.

Since the summer of 2010, the residential apartment building

and the adjacent hotel structure,

 have slowly risen (September 2011)

 and slowly progressed (May 2012).

The decades-old original facade was cleaned up and remains,

while the inside of the atrium and other details have been upgraded to the max.

Twice I have gone inside and have had a hard time

just getting past the beautiful flowers displayed near the entrance.

People are wandering in to look, to sit and have a drink.

Weddings are scheduled,

and conferences are being held in the Waldorf-Astoria luxury hotel.

Other Jerusalem, Israel, hotels have started upgrading their facilities,

as everyone has to go up a notch now.

FYI, Top hats and wonderful service yes,

but NO buses allowed in front of hotel.

If you have a few spare million dollars lying around,

there are still flats for sale in the building next door,

just across from the Mamila Mall and minutes from the Old City.