When Jerusalem's main train station was moved to its current home way out in Malcha, where it shares real estate with Teddy Stadium and the Jerusalem Mall, the elegant Mandatory-era train station in the center of the city was left without purpose, a relic of a bygone era in the Holy City. But given the Old Train Station's classic architecture, abundant space and proximity to happening neighborhoods like Baka and the German Colony, it was inevitable that the station would be revived as a center for culture in Jerusalem. And so it was.

Used in summer months, the station is home to fairgrounds with a massive courtyard and grandstand bleacher seating, making it an ideal outdoor venue for a wide variety of cultural events. The numerous yearly festivals held in the Old Train Station include the International Beer Festival, the Jerusalem Tastes food festival, the Ice Festival, and Design Week.

Recently, work has begun to preserve the façade of the Old Train Station building and transform the space into "The First Station": a rich, lively cultural and culinary center in a dynamite location, being located at a crossroads between the Old City, the City Center, the German Colony, Talbiah, and other neighborhoods. The First Station is set to open in March 2013 with restaurants, cafes, markets and events every day of the week.