Project:

The Sde Dov neighborhood is planned on the lands of the former airport, which has been closed, and will fill the urban blocks between the existing neighborhoods and the beachfront to the west, and between the Kokhav HaTzafon neighborhood to the south and the Glilot Junction to the north. It will create an urban complex including 45,000 housing units, a variety of open spaces, promenades, all types of public buildings, and a new marina with restaurants, a promenade, and berths for boats.

The project is located at the center of the Sde Dov neighborhood, at the intersection where Einstein and Ibn Gvirol streets meet, and spans two complexes that include, among other things, 708 housing units, commercial spaces, public buildings, and offices. Along Ibn Gvirol Street runs the Green Line of the light rail, with Einstein Station located near the junction, where the line splits toward the university. From there, Einstein Street becomes a wide pedestrian boulevard descending toward the sea.

The northern lot, number 2255, occupies the northeastern corner of the junction, while the second lot, number 2206, is located one block to the south. The lot at the junction completes an urban block that includes an archaeological site from the Chalcolithic period, which, together with the construction on the adjacent lots and the opening toward the public open space to the north, creates an inner courtyard open to the street.

The buildings along Ibn Gvirol continue the existing street’s character with a fabric of 5–9-story buildings with a wide colonnade, while the towers are set back. The 45-story tower is composed of two rectangular masses—one vertical, the other stepped like an open fan resting upon it. Between the two masses is a 30-story atrium whose cross-section gradually narrows and faces the square, serving as the iconic entrance to the building. This entrance leads to the inner courtyard. The composition of the masses creates the building’s iconic identity, which, together with the lower buildings attached to it, forms the street walls at the junction.

Along Einstein Street, the construction remains low-rise, mainly occupied by offices and public buildings, with a 20-story tower set back. The southern lot contains two 20-story towers overlooking a nearby park of 7.5 dunams (about 1.85 acres), one of the largest green lungs in the neighborhood. Along Ibn Gvirol, the characteristic wide colonnade continues, and between the three buildings, passages connect the inner courtyard to the surrounding streets.

Special emphasis has been placed on generous shared spaces for residents, including a swimming pool on the roofs of the low-rise buildings, along with resident lounge areas for a variety of uses. The apartments come in a wide range of sizes—from small 2-room units, through all apartment types, up to penthouses on the top floors. Most apartments have sea views, and the majority have two directions of exposure.

Eilat Street is planned to include the light rail route, as well as Eliphelet Station on the other side of the street. At the corner of Eliphelet and Eilat, an urban piazza surrounded by colonnades and retail is planned, connecting via a pedestrian axis to Eliphelet Station. This axis continues past the historic “Beit HaBe’er” (Well House) toward a planned urban orchard with preserved trees, beneath which visitors can enjoy the planned kiosk on the corner of Rabbi MiBacherach Street, which borders the project to the south.

The construction combines a low-rise building fabric and a residential tower that emerges from this fabric, continuing the street profile along Eliphelet. The tower is located along the busy Shlavim axis, while the 7-story low-rise building adjoins Beit HaBe’er and the urban piazza. Special emphasis has been placed on the architectural design of the low-rise, ensuring visual continuity with the urban fabric of Eilat Street. The design recalls old Jaffa architecture in its window proportions and balcony styles, while the tower incorporates features of the American Colony in a modern, light interpretation. The tower’s massing was divided to emphasize verticality.

Two expansive office floors are located above the retail level, with residential floors above them. The tower rises 24 stories, offering apartments in a variety of sizes and layouts to meet diverse needs. On the top floor of the low-rise, a swimming pool and gym are planned for the residents of both buildings. Beit HaBe’er will be restored and extended with an additional floor, with a public passage opened through it at ground level. Another public benefit will be a multi-level public parking lot under the urban piazza.