Tel Aviv is full of old buildings that housed poets, writers, politicians and other famous figures. The house on Shalosh Street is one of them. It changed many hands and had different roles during history.
The Establishment of the Shalosh house
The house was built by a templar named Frantz Lorenz, who arrived at Jaffa in 1870. After he died, his son, Curt Lorenz, turned the building in to a caf?. The Lorenz caf? was one of the first buildings in Israel to have electricity.
Lorenz Caf? – The Nazi headquarters of Israel
The Lorenz Caf? became one of the popular pubs among the Templar community. The Wagner family established a large machine factory next to the pub. The factory still exists, and is known by the name "Nechoshtan". Guthilf, head of the Wagner family, used the caf? for meetings with members of the Nazi movement. Soon enough the red Nazi flags were hung in the caf?, along with photos of Hitler. Guthilf was murdered by the Israeli underground resistance, and the caf?'s role as a Nazi headquarters ended.
The Lorenz Caf? as a cultural center
Shai Agnon, one of Israel's prominent writers, used to visit the caf? frequently. He wrote about it in his book. Many other artists were drawn to this place. During the First World War, one of the first Israeli theaters opened on the second floor. A local drama group used to perform there. During the Second World War started Guthilf was murdered, the Templars were kicked out of the country, and the caf? closed.
The Lorenz Caf? after the Independence War
When Israel established its army, the Servicemen's Welfare Association transformed the house in to a soldiers' club. Many weddings were celebrated in this place during the 50's and 60's. Later on, a new club was established on Weitzman Street, and the house on Shalosh Street was deserted. During the 80's and 90's the house was neglected and its conditions deteriorated. Then one day, a Rabbi of the Conservative community saw the house and decided that this is the ideal place for his new synagogue. The house is now under renovations, and will probably open again next year.
Our accommodation in Tel Aviv is surrounded with historical houses such as the Lorenz Caf?. While staying at our Tel Aviv seashore suites, you might want to take a tour to the historical houses.