Haredi Mamilla coming to Bet Shemesh

According to Walla News, construction plans for a new shopping mall, dubbed "the Haredi Mamilla",  have been approved for the southern area of Bet Shemesh - to be built in the valley between the neighborhoods of RBS A and RBS C. The prep work (roads and stuff) has been underway for a while, and from what I understand has recently been completed.

According to the report, the new mall will be spread out over 20,000 square meters, that's the same size as the Ramat Aviv Mall, and will be an outdoor strip mall of brand name stores, similar to the style of the Mamilla Mall in Jerusalem. In addition there will be another 20,000 square meters designated for parking.  Construction is expected to start in the coming weeks.

According to the developer, the mall has been designed to meet the needs and lifestyle of the Haredi community, but it will also be welcoming to the secular residents of the city.

To that end, I am told by someone involved in the project that there is a clause in the contract that says the buyer [of a store property] declares that he knows and agrees that the project will have a religious style and he commits to using his unit in a way that fits that style, with everything implied.

Seems like a vague enough clause, and I do not know who is the arbiter of deciding if something questionable fits the atmosphere or not.

I do wish them much luck and the entire city a great shopping experience. Hopefully people will continue to have enough money to support another mall, especially one of this size.

------------------------------------------------------

Reach thousands of readers with your ad by advertising on Life in Israel

------------------------------------------------------