Villa Brown — Jerusalem, Israel
Hotelier Leon Avigad has dusted off a 19th-century villa in the Russian Compound district of Jerusalem to transform it into Villa Brown. Unlike his Tel Aviv properties, this one does not tap into the 1970s disco or Miami Beach vibe, but instead takes its cues from the late Ottoman Empire period, a cultural pinnacle of Jerusalem, and its former owner, a storied doctor at the Rothschild Hospital, whose own soirées were legendary.
Local architects Galit Shifman Bar-Natan and Michal Cohen Magen have quietly restored the villa, adding two new floors, including a rooftop terrace that looks onto the neighbouring Ethiopian Church. The building’s golden Jerusalem stone, that gives the city its visual harmony, is a striking background for the subtle Ottoman décor; the front desk is a prayer stand from Jerusalem’s ultra-Orthodox Mea Shearim neighbourhood, ornate golden trays are from the Muslim quarter in East Jerusalem, while the 24 guestrooms are done up in jewel-coloured velvet textiles
The Cave Bar has been dug out of the villa’s old well and an arched courtyard, overlooking the hills of Jerusalem is the perfect spot for high tea.
ADDRESS
54 Ha'Neviim St
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
-
The moments fashion met art at the 60th Venice Biennale
The best fashion moments at the 2024 Venice Biennale, with happenings from Dior, Golden Goose, Balenciaga, Burberry and more
By Jack Moss Published
-
Crispin at Studio Voltaire, in Clapham, is a feast for all the senses
New restaurant Crispin at Studio Voltaire is the latest opening from the brains behind Bistro Freddie and Bar Crispin, with interiors by Jermaine Gallagher
By Billie Brand Published
-
Vivienne Westwood’s personal wardrobe goes up for sale in landmark Christie’s auction
The proceeds of ’Vivienne Westwood: The Personal Collection’, running this June, will go to the charitable causes she championed during her lifetime
By Jack Moss Published
-
Six Senses Shaharut offers an Israeli desert escape
Set in the Negev Desert, some hours outside of Tel Aviv, Six Senses Shaharut is a reminder of the hotel group’s undeniable stake in luxury with a wellness twist
By Katya Boirand Published
-
Villa One at the One & Only Palmilla — Los Cabos, Mexico
By Chadner Navarro Published
-
Martim — Wroclaw, Poland
By Daven Wu Last updated
-
Tattersalls Hotel — Armidale, Australia
By Dimity Noble Last updated
-
KLoé Hotel — Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
By Jennifer Choo Last updated
-
Elmina — Tel Aviv, Israel
By Harry McKinley Last updated
-
Casa Hoyos — San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
By Daven Wu Last updated
-
Littlenap — Hangzhou, China
By Daven Wu Last updated