You’re asking about a street that tells a fascinating story of Tel Aviv’s past and present. Amsterdam Street is not just a line on a map; it’s a small, quiet pocket nestled within one of the city’s most dynamic and sought-after areas. Understanding its precise location and features like a Mamad is key to understanding the value and lifestyle it offers.
Where exactly is Amsterdam Street located?
Amsterdam Street is a short, relatively quiet street located in the “Old North” of Tel Aviv. Specifically, it runs parallel to the bustling Ben Yehuda Street to its west and the iconic Dizengoff Street to its east. It connects Frishman Street to the south with Gordon Street to the north.
This location is considered prime Tel Aviv real estate. It places you in the absolute heart of the city’s cultural and social life. You are a genuine five-minute walk from:
- Gordon Beach and Frishman Beach: Two of Tel Aviv’s most popular and beautiful beaches.
- Dizengoff Circle (Kikar Dizengoff): A landmark of the city with its famous fountain, cafes, and shops.
- Ben Yehuda Street: Known for its eclectic mix of shops, restaurants, and vibrant street life.
Despite this proximity to major arteries, Amsterdam Street itself maintains a more residential and peaceful character, which is a rare and valuable combination in this part of the city.
Does a property there have a Mamad or a Miklat?
This question is critically important for both safety and property value in Israel, and the answer depends entirely on the specific building’s age.
- Miklat (Communal Bomb Shelter): The vast majority of buildings on Amsterdam Street were constructed in the 1940s, 50s, and 60s. Buildings from this era were required to have a communal bomb shelter, or miklat, typically located in the basement or on the ground floor of the building. Therefore, it is almost certain that any given building on this street has access to a shared miklat.
- Mamad (In-Apartment Secure Room): The requirement for each new apartment to have its own reinforced security room, a Mamad (Merkhav Mugan Dirati), only became mandatory in Israel in the early 1990s. Given the age of the original buildings on Amsterdam Street, an original apartment will not have a Mamad.
However, there is an important exception: if a building has undergone a major renovation project like TAMA 38, the developer is often required to add a Mamad to each existing apartment. So, to get a definitive answer, you must ask about the specific apartment: “Has this building completed a TAMA 38 renovation that included the addition of a Mamad to the apartment?” If the answer is no, you will have access to the communal miklat but not a private secure room.
Too Long; Didn’t Read
- Amsterdam Street is located in the heart of Tel Aviv’s “Old North,” between Ben Yehuda and Dizengoff streets, just north of Frishman Street.
- Its location is considered prime, offering a 5-minute walk to the beach and major cultural spots.
- Original apartments on this street will not have a private secure room (Mamad), as they were built before it was legally required.
- The buildings almost certainly have a communal bomb shelter (Miklat) in the basement. An apartment might have a Mamad only if the building underwent a recent TAMA 38 renovation.
