JERUSALEM, Israel - Residents of the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah will be able to shop in a new mall on Saleh a-Din Street.

The building that will house the new mall is owned by the Nusseibeh family, one of the oldest and wealthiest Israeli Arab families in Jerusalem.

Their ownership of the property dates to the Ottoman rule.

Over the years it has been used as a children's home, a school and an infirmary.

Today, the dilapidated building is "home" to street people - the homeless, pimps and junkies.

Prior to the 1967 Six Day War, some family members thought to renovate the building for a hotel, but the project was shelved following the war.

About 10 years ago, another family member wanted to use the building for shops and offices.

Now, the first few floors of the abandoned building will house a state-of-the-art mall, with the rest renovated for offices.

Earlier this week, workers posted signs announcing the new project as they began cleaning the basement of the building. It is the first major commercial project in East Jerusalem in nearly 40 years.

Source: Ynet news