The "Carmel" hospital, the second largest in Haifa, is located at 7 Michal Street in the Azoza neighborhood and belongs to Klalit Health Services.
A hotel in an estate
Carmel Hospital was originally established in 1935 in a building designed by the architect Moshe Gerstel, building planner Talpiot Market. The building was designed as a 3-story hotel in a mansion neighborhood, but it was not used for its original purpose for a long time.
German Immigrant Home
Due to the outbreak of the events in Israel and the increasing immigration of German Jews, with the strengthening of anti-Semitism in Nazi Germany, the building became the "German Immigrant Home", under the management of the Association of German Immigrants. During the construction of the building, a large "slick" of the "Haganah" organization was planned in place. The weapons and ammunition hidden in it were used in the Haifa battles during the War of Independence.
Old Carmel Hospital
During the Second World War, the Immigrant House was closed due to the cessation of immigration. The place was purchased by General Hospital Fund, with the aim of turning it into a hospital for internal diseases. Later, it housed the geriatrics and dialysis departments and the outpatient clinics of the hospital.
The new Carmel Hospital
The current building of Carmel Hospital was inaugurated in 1976. The 7-story building with the wide base, resembling an artificial hill, was built according to the plans of the architect Jacob Rechter. Most of the departments of the old building, which continues to be part of the Carmel Medical Center, were moved to the new building. As part of the lessons of the Second Lebanon War, in 2010 the construction of a new emergency room protected against missiles began. The secure emergency room was inaugurated in 2011.
Jacob Rechter, the architect of the new building
Yaakov Rechter (1924-2001), born in Tel-Aviv, son of the architect Ze'ev Rechter. He studied architecture at the Technion in Haifa. In 1952 he joined his father's architectural office. At the same time as his design work, he also taught at the Technion (properly disclosed: I was privileged to be among his students during my studies at the Technion).
In 1995, Amnon Rechter, his son from his second marriage to actress Hana Maron, joined his office. Son Amnon continues the three-generation family line of architects. The well-known musician Yoni Rechter is the son of Jacob Rechter from his first marriage.
Among the many buildings designed by Yaakov Rechter are: the convalescent home of the "Insurers" in Zichron Ya'akov (now the "Alma" hotel), the Mishkan for the Performing Arts in Tel Aviv, the Tel Aviv Hilton Hotel, the Tel Aviv "Hakamari" theater (together with his son, Amnon Richter).
Zeev and Yaakov Rechter Architecture Award
After the death of Y. Rechter, it was decided to expand the Zeev Rechter architecture prize and it is now Zeev and Yaakov Rechter State Award for Architecture which is awarded every year by the Ministry of Education.
Dear readers
The articles in this section are based on open information published in sources such as Wikipedia and other websites and may include various historical inaccuracies arising from the aforementioned sources.
It is worth noting that before the new Carmel Hospital was built, there was a "Borokhov" convalescent home of the Health Insurance Fund.
Every Thursday evening they would show a movie on the lawn outside. Me and the neighborhood kids would brag and win a free movie.
Thank you very much for your comment, interesting information.
to Hannah
Thank you for your response, see an article about the settlement structure- Link
I wonder how many incarnations the old building of the hospital went through. Nothing was mentioned about the building itself from an architectural point of view. Is it Bauhaus style?
To Shaul Rosenfeld
thank you for your response. Indeed, an admirable teacher and professional.
to Shlomo
thank you for your response.
To Yehuda Botbol
thank you for your response.
For those
Thank you for your comment that reinforces my words about Y. Richter.
To Neumann Sherry
thank you for your response.
Spectacular project of Yaakov Rechter building the court in Acre.
I had the privilege of working with Yaakov Rechter as the director of the construction of the court. It was a great pleasure.
I love Dr. David Bar On's articles and drawings.
The Carmel Hospital building is very interesting
I had the privilege of getting to know Mr. Yaakov Rechter during the years when he taught in the Faculty of Architecture and City Planning at the Technion
A dear and pleasant person, a teacher appreciated by his students and friends.
It is moving and beautiful to read the incarnations of the hospital and the incarnation of the Rechter family.
In the old Gramel there was also a psychiatric ward and laboratories.
To Rafi Raphael
Thank you for your support, my friend, Shabbat Shalom!
To Mickey
Thank you for your response, Shabbat Shalom
To Yehuda Eridor
Thank you for your response, Yehuda Yadidi, the clarification is indeed requested. The old building was covered in its own article, the link is below: https://haipo.co.il/item/362716
Thanks again for the article and the drawing. It is worth clarifying that Moshe Gerstel's old building is at the beginning of Horev Street and not in the complex at the end of Michal Street (and is surrounded by Tel Mana Kahov), and it has a construction character that requires your documentation in the framework of your wonderful paintings. And thanks again
Is there a plan to move Carmel Hospital to Kfar Ata...God forbid?
Now know the truth
All the best to you, Dr. Yadidi David Bar On, for the history of the "Carmel" hospital in Haifa. Shabbat Shalom and blessings to you my friend.
An interesting and therefore valuable article
Thank you very much and good luck