Following a proposal by council member Avihu Han to revive the old casino building in Bat Galim, we set out to look for more white elephants that were once centers of attraction, places of entertainment, some with historical and architectural value to the city, and were part of the fabric of life in Haifa.
We found it easily, they stand there like a silent testimony to what was once here. Miserable in their neglect. But the surprising and challenging part was finding details - who is the owner? Why was he abandoned? Are there plans for the future? These questions run into walls both from the Haifa municipality, which does not have information about the buildings because there is no one in charge of caring for abandoned buildings, and from the private companies that own the property, who are in no hurry to give answers and explanations.
A building found to be unfit for use, according to the Municipal Ordinance, Section 330, receives, absurdly, a full exemption from property tax for 3 years. After the first 3 years, a 5-year period begins in which the property tax is charged at the lowest rate and after this entire period (which adds up to 8 years), if the property still remains abandoned, the owner returns to receive an exemption from property tax, forever. It is not clear where the logic is in this law which makes it easy for property owners and does not put any pressure on them to change the existing situation.
"Haifa Haifa, a city with a future" David Broza once sang, but right now, in this city, there is mostly a past.
We will mention five white elephants in the city of Haifa in this article:
Hapoel pool
Address: Hapoel 7
Years Of Activity: 1949 to 2007
Forsaken: 14 years
owner: The new general union
history: The pool was designed by the architects Zev Rechter, Eugen Stolzer and Aryeh Sharon and upon its opening in 1949 it became one of the most prominent sports centers in the city and in its waters Israel's swimming records were broken. The place was a neighborhood meeting place where you could get swimming lessons, breathe air and bathe at affordable prices.
Reason for abandonment: The deterioration in the physical condition of the building and also a lack of demand, in recent years the pool was intended for the religious community living in the area but this was not enough and in 2007 it was decided to close it.
in planning: The management of the Histadrut does not provide answers about the plans for the future and whether there are any at all, not even after repeated attempts.
Gani Dan Hotel
Address: Beautiful view 124
Years Of Activity: 1958-2019
Forsaken: a year and 9 months
owner: מדינת ישראל
history: It was opened as the "Dvir" hotel and over the years it was also used as a government hotel school, at the end of its days you could also find Dan Gourmet there - a culinary school. The place doesn't look abandoned, it looks broken into - broken windows everywhere, blown mirrors, hangers and paperwork on the floor. Ironically, you can still book rooms for him on the various websites.
the reason for the abandonment: The property was in the possession of the Ministry of Labor, Welfare and Social Services for the purpose of professional training in the field of hotels, when the person who operated it for years was the Dan chain as a franchisee. When the use is over, the property returns to government housing as an empty property.
in planning: The spokesperson of the Ministry of Finance stated that tenders published by the government housing in 2019-20 for renting the property did not yield results. At the same time, various alternatives for renting the property are being considered.
Ron cinema
Address: The pioneer 67
Years Of Activity: 1963 to 1991
Forsaken: 30 years
owner: Ron Ashad Cinema Ltd. (from September 2017)
history: It was the last of the cinemas built in the concept of the large and magnificent cinemas in Hadar and offered a spacious lobby, seats in the stands and at its peak could accommodate about 800 people. From the outside, the mosaic mosaic, the work of the late Emanuel Sela, visible to passers-by. It is almost impossible to find a person in the city who does not have a memory or a story from a movie they saw there.
More details on ownership: A ruling received in August 2020, shows that Ron Ashad Cinema Ltd. was deleted from the register of companies in 1986 and only in 2018 did the heirs of the company request to revive it again on the condition that they repay the debt accumulated in the register of companies.
in planning: On behalf of the company, it was reported that a request was submitted to the municipality to strengthen the structure and a construction permit, which in the future will be used as a dormitory for young couples and singles, and in addition, they will build spaces that will meet the needs of the community.
Cinema Shavit
Address: between the Sport and Feigin streets
Years Of Activity: 60s - 1988
Forsaken: 33 years
owner: "Quality cinema cedar"
history: was one of the main entertainment centers on the Carmel and even the mythical Beehive band took its first steps there. At its peak, the hall held over 800 spectators and included a magnificent lobby.
Legal complication: One of the reasons is a legal dispute that is currently ongoing between the municipality of Haifa and "Erez Kinemat Qalim" and "Nea Entertainment Ltd" regarding property tax debts that have accumulated over the years and which the municipality demands to be paid. In March of last year, the petition submitted by the companies to cancel the debts was rejected by the House the trial
in planning: To the best of Yitzhak Meshi's knowledge (from Neah Entertainment Ltd.) it was reported that the place is slated for demolition and a parking lot will be built in its place, to be used by the residents of the streets who suffer from parking shortages.
The old central station at Dolphin Junction
Address: Dolphin junction
Years Of Activity: 1974-2003
Forsaken: 18 years
owner: "Netsaba" company
history: The area covers approximately 63 dunams and contains 45 thousand built-up square meters, which includes the 12-story tower that was mostly used by Egged's offices in the Haifa district, the 51 platforms for the buses and the commercial areas, parking lots and facilities for the activities of Egged's bus network.
the reason for the abandonment: The transfer of the company's activity to the two new central stations established in the area: the Gulf Central and the Carmel Beach. something that left the station running.
in planning: On behalf of the company it was stated: "The company is promoting plans to change the purpose of the central station, in order to convert it to mixed uses. This process is done in coordination with the Haifa municipality."
The city's residents, meanwhile, will have to make do with abandoned buildings in the city that don't really stay empty, but instead are filled with street urchins and drug addicts, big plans by private developers, and public announcements with beautiful words.
Haifa Municipality's response:
Indeed, these are private properties that the municipality has no authority to act on or touch the transactions carried out in them. However, the Haifa municipality is leading revitalization programs, unprecedented in scope, in the city's old neighborhoods. Thanks to these plans, hundreds of buildings will be renewed while preserving their character strictly and authentically.
A clear example of this is the renewal that the municipality is leading in the Sirkin complex - Talpiot market, in which the historic market structure is also being renewed. The revitalization process will undoubtedly also attract private entrepreneurs who will find interest in the conferences located in the revitalizing neighborhoods.
In my opinion, the buildings look neglected because the municipality charges all the houses, the buildings have areas of private women's islands, the municipality charged them tens of percent in property taxes. Houses that didn't live there. And we were left abandoned. Because they failed to hire them. property tax
The amounts to be paid were high because debts had accumulated over the years. Even if they didn't live there. The municipality did not give up. I forced them to pay. Some of them are the municipality
They decided to demolish the buildings. Areas that the municipality did not use to build houses there because the view there is amazing next to a stream and the view of the forest all around. rope.
.
The reference in the article to Hapoel Pool is not accurate! There was always a demand to use the pool. And today more than ever. Many high-rise buildings have been built in the Ramat Hadar area, and there is a young population and children who need activities close to home. The problem is with the religious community that lives nearby. They did everything to keep the pool from being activated. Their problem is modesty. After all, you walk around in the summer quite naked..
You can't ban it in general on the street. We are not Iran.
The building on the street in Halutz, which used to be the Ron Cinema, is not an abandoned building, but adjacent to a residential building, and due to its condition, it has become a hub for all kinds of junkies at night. By the way, the fire that happened there this week and endangered human life was the result of a fight between drug addicts.
Nostalgia is a beautiful thing, but you have to take into account what dangers may lie in it or accompany it and not take it easy and immerse yourself in nostalgia.
Historic abandoned buildings are the most wonderful thing there is. They serve as a testimony and a memory of those historic days of Haifa. If I had the money I would purchase one property and leave it unchanged so that I can return to it from time to time and remember the old and beautiful Israel.
A very important issue, even though the environmental damage from these buildings, which are a center of attraction for all kinds of people, was not mentioned, to put it mildly.
A sheltered housing complex of the Mediterranean Towers chain is going to be built on the grounds of the Mount Carmel hotel.
Egged Bat Galim must be preserved
An amazing building, brutalism, a central part of Haifa's history much more than the bricks of Bezan.
I would like to see the municipality develop a program to revive Beit Egged as a center for culture and shops and entertainment.
To give space to night clubs, to event halls. It is far from residences and ideal to be a central entertainment district by the sea.
The huge area of the station is great for big nightclubs. You can make it the center of Haifa's nightlife.
Pilgrims will arrive by matron, trains to Bat Galim station without having to come by car. Great for pubs. You can make the roof a space
for parties and events. Go ahead and pick up the glove.
What about the building at the entrance to Oren Street in Haifa? About 30 years ago, there was a pub there. The neighbors asked to close it. Since then, it has been empty. and closed with a construction fence
The Mount Carmel Hotel has been abandoned since 2013
Many buildings in the lower city are abandoned
At least they will do something with them, sell them, house them with tenants, just standing like this
Indeed, the situation is a certificate of poverty for Mr. Yona Yahav, who was in charge of the city for 15 years, and next to every tree that was planted at the time, a sign was hung made of paver reminding us that it was thanks to the honorable Mr. Yahav that the tree was planted. It is possible that the budget was running on signs and therefore it did not work out for him to deal with the issue for 15 years.
Yahav left a ruined city full of hazards in failed management, an inflated municipality, property taxes that increased 17% in 4 years, full of bad plans, a monstrous Sinai port and the expansion of refineries, hundreds of empty buildings, an education system in deep crisis, hundreds of destroyed roads, a deficit of a billion shekels, Abandonment of 40 thousand young people in his three terms.
And some people, in a Pavlovian reaction, blame Klish for this.
Say are you serious? Everything that is shown here was Lihav 15 discussing to act and he and the group of clowns with whom Hadova Almog and Shay Abuchatz did nothing. Actually, this is not accurate. They confirmed that we will have antenna towers stuck at night in front of the houses.. It is.
I am sure and confident that if people are interested and give relevant and convincing proposals regarding the buildings and revive them for the benefit of the public, the Haifa municipality and the property department will consider positively.
The way to solve the problem of abandoned buildings is twofold: both a change in legislation and strong pressure from the municipality in addition to offering a municipal incentive that will encourage the revitalization of abandoned buildings.
A very important article on a subject that I have also dealt with in the past and presented the question of why there is no legal incentive to encourage the landowners to invest in revitalizing these buildings or transfer them to the municipality? The answer of the spokeswoman of the municipality reminds me of the answers I received from the previous mayor. In short, with the current leadership, what was, unfortunately, is also what will be..
Haifa Municipality - nothing to look forward to! Einat Kalish Rotem to go home. She doesn't do anything big. The whole city is broken to pieces. The city is filthy like it has never been before! Yona Yahav was a mayor - not many like him.
I suggest putting and closing this article in a time capsule and opening it another 50 years. The content of the article will be just as topical as it is today.
Group of postcards 140 A huge abandoned building
In my opinion, the municipality of Haifa should take care of the matter of the abandoned buildings. Shame and shame that they didn't take care of it until today. Kudos to Nega and Yaron Karmi's Chai Pe site for raising this issue. A good week to all of you and to Omar Moser, of course.
A fascinating article that brings back memories of our childhood. It's a shame that these properties are abandoned and unused. Maybe the article will inspire action.
Barach Kibbutz Galiot 130, in front of Cafe Israel, there is a stone house inside which are large old apartments. The building also has 3 shops. The building looks abandoned. It can be renovated and occupied as public housing. or to house a youth in need. It's a shame for such houses that are unused
A true mayor... what a beautiful dream
At least on the subject of the abandonment of Beit Aged and a station that gave an adequate response, next to which there is a serious garage for handling buses. In order to understand who sold, how what is the ridiculous sale amount and why a strategic place that was used both in location and for the benefit of the public and for its convenience to reach anywhere in the country, there are a lot of questions that are not resolved, only one thing is painful and infuriating, why? For tens of billions of shekels it was allegedly sold at a valuation that does not match and why?
Maybe because it was profitable and not only for the owners of Netsaba?
We should add the "Bat Galim Casino", the Kiryat Haim Stadium, the "Yuval" Cinema Building in Kiryat Haim. And all the buildings of old Haifa that are crumbling
.
What would happen if these buildings were in Tel Aviv:
Cinema Shavit: The lot was sold a long time ago to a developer with a tower of 60 luxury apartments above a floor of shops and a kindergarten.
Ron Cinema: The lot would have been sold to a developer a long time ago due to its proximity to the market and the city center at a record price. would have turned into an Ofen Space office complex of a high tech company.
Hapoel Pool: Similar to Remez Country - the Tel Aviv Municipality would issue a tender for the establishment of a country club for the residents of Hadar, integrated into a student residential building on the roof.
Egged Central Station: Tel Aviv Municipality held a design competition with international architects with the aim of preserving the station building but as part of a complex of 500 apartments in towers overlooking the sea. The station itself would become an innovative shopping center that combines creative workshops with shops and cafes.
Gani Dan Hotel: A nimble entrepreneur from the Braun chain would open another boutique of the hotel chain. The entrance floor would become a trendy cafe, and the roof floor a night club.
You just need to find the right mayor who will push things to happen and entrepreneurs with the courage to invest and create the change here as well.
These articles were 15 years ago and I think there will be another 15 years as well.
We must threaten the property owners with a heavy property tax, but do the opposite - allow them to remain empty without property tax.
There are many, many abandoned buildings in Haifa, some in Hadar and most down in the city.
All the abandoned Arab buildings deserve preservation, renovation and restoration of the surrounding neighborhood!
But the Haifa municipality in all its years neglected the area and that's how it looks to this day!
And it's a shame.