Founded in the 1870’s, the West Jerusalem neighbourhood of Nachlaot is in transition.

Initially home to devout and penniless Jewish families escaping the overcrowding of the Old City in the 19th century, much of the original architecture remains intact - a quaint and sometimes crumbling jumble of old houses, courtyards, cobblestones and narrow alleyways.

Nowadays, Nachlaot is a prime location. It is central and trendy, populated by an eclectic mix of young artists and musicians, hippies, Orthodox families, Ethiopian and American immigrants, and the last of the older generation.

Gentrification is rapidly changing the architecture of the neighbourhood. As the venerable but decaying old buildings are replaced by newly built homes, Nachlaot is sure to become a more comfortable place to live, but as with many cases of urban redevelopment, will this come at the expense of the neighbourhood's character and sense of history?