Continuing the article about the elliptical residential complex on Bar Giora Street, this time we will review the building known as the "Big House" located at the beginning of Rabbi Akiva Street.
General
This is the largest residential building built in Haifa in the mid-4s. The developer was a German Jew who recognized the economic potential inherent in immigrants from Germany, the Fifth Aliyah immigrants who immigrated to Israel with the rise of Nazism in their country. The building was built on a plot of about 6 acres, according to the plans of architect Shmuel Rozov. The building was exceptional in several ways: in its size (dozens of apartments in one building), its height (7 floors), the number of entrances (3) and also in its advanced technology (XNUMX elevators).
As mentioned, the target audience included wealthy Jews from Germany who aspired to an above-average standard of living and wished to preserve German community life and education in Israel as well. We should also note that northeast of the "Big House", at an aerial distance of about 500 meters, is the Lev Hadar Carmel complex, designed by architect T. Menkes, who was also recently reviewed in this section.
David HaCohen (1898-1984)
The developer encountered difficulties in recruiting contractors to carry out the project. At this point, David HaCohen, who was the director of the Haifa "Contracting Office" that preceded "Solel Boneh," came into the picture. He managed to organize a group of workers who agreed to carry out the work in exchange for a guarantee of housing and food, as well as pocket money. Therefore, before the construction work began, two barracks were erected on a nearby lot: a dining room for the workers and a warehouse for construction materials. Tents were also erected there for the workers to live in. The construction of the project took two years from the date the plans were submitted to the municipality for approval (2) until the building was occupied (1933)!
In return for his faithful service, David HaCohen – a member of the city council and deputy mayor – also received the right to reside in Bennin. Later, David HaCohen was a MK in the first Knesset and Israel's ambassador to Burma.
The big house
The building was designed by Haifa architect Shmuel Rozov in the shape of the letter "H". The main opening faced Rabbi Akiva Street, and between the arms of the "H" was designed a terraced private garden, integrated into the topography, and in its center was a one-story building that served as a kindergarten that was conducted in German, the language of the children's parents. In the arms of the "H" perpendicular to the street line, the construction was terraced in accordance with the topography. The apartments facing the street front enjoyed a magnificent view of the bay.
Most of the apartments in the building were 3-room apartments and a few were 4-room apartments. Shops were planned on the ground floor, but due to the municipality's opposition to their approval, these became parking lots for the vehicles of the residents who owned cars.
Viewed from Rabbi Akiva Street, the building's facade is symmetrical, although the narrow street makes it difficult to get the best impression of it. In the center of the central block is a cylindrical staircase with a long, narrow vertical window, a typical element of the International Style. The cylinder ends with three decorative stripes, such as those that finish the tower that was part of the Armon Cinema, also designed by architect Rozov. The balconies with their rounded ends and the rectangular windows organized in horizontal stripes are also distinct characteristics of the International Style.
"Free France Broadcasts"
After the fall of France to the Nazis (1940), David Hacohen housed a group of French refugees in one of the rooms of his apartment who operated a "Free French Broadcasting" radio station. The station was established as a result of cooperation between the French Resistance movement and the "Hagana". The station's broadcasts encouraged the population of Syria and Lebanon to rebel against the Vichy government - the puppet government of Nazi Germany - which ruled these countries. The broadcasts were stopped in 1941, with the occupation of Syria and Lebanon by British forces.
Architect Shmuel Rozov
Shmuel Rozov (1900-1975), was born in St. Petersburg, the capital of Tsarist Russia. In 1917, the year of the Bolshevik Revolution, he went to study in London and was certified as a civil engineer and architect there. In 1924, he immigrated to Israel and began working for the Electric Company, the life's work of Pinchas Rotenberg. In 1930, he opened an independent planning office and was later joined by his son, Ari Rozov. In the 60s, he was a member of the planning team for the Haifa master plan.
His most notable works, besides "The Big House," include:
- Naharim power station
- Beit Pinchas Rotenberg, "Hazaken Menharim" (not far from the Dan Carmel hotel)
- "Beit Solel Boneh"
- Dan Carmel Hotel
- "Armon" Cinema on HaNevi'im Street (the current Armon Tower was built in its place)
- Beit Egged in the former central Egged station in Bat Galim (together with Aryeh Sharon, Benjamin Idelson, Aryeh Freiberger).
The Haifa City Council named a street after architect Shmuel Rozov in the Check Post area.
Epilogue
In the 70s, changes occurred in the population composition of the area. The original population and their descendants - "Haikim" - left the area and were replaced by an ultra-Orthodox population that changed the character of the neighborhood. Furthermore, the "Big House" lost its uniqueness with the growth of larger and more luxurious buildings in the area. On the one hand, the original balconies were sealed off and turned into additional rooms for families with many children, and on the other hand, many Sukkah balconies were built in accordance with the needs of the ultra-Orthodox residents. The private garden at the heart of the complex became a backyard and even a nuisance in a certain sense. The former kindergarten building became a residential building. (Is it legal?)
The parking lots were converted into shops in the 50s, according to the original plan, and operated for several years, but today all the shops are closed. Was the "Big House" worthy of being included on the city's list of "buildings for preservation"? Of course it is!
Can the wheel be turned back? No!
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.
We invite our readers to suggest buildings as subjects for articles and if interesting stories are found behind them we will be happy to review them in this section.
I collect Haifa photos, I have two photos of the aforementioned building during its construction around 1934. Indeed, a monumental building for the period. As far as I know, elevators in Haifa at the time were only here and in the new commercial center on Bankim Street. The building is now neglected and it seems to me that the elevator is no longer there.
Thanks for your response, I would love to see the pictures.
Beautiful and very wise article.
It's a shame to just slander our fellow believers about the inscription hanging on the building that says "Free" as if it bothers someone. After all, the sign has actually been standing there in its glory for 40 years. And it doesn't bother anyone, quite the opposite.
Reality is the absolute truth.
Thank you for your response, a very important correction.
Good Morning
What if Yoseftal's building 78
Kiryat Ata
When will there be a building there?
Who will help with this?
This is not the address for your question. Have a good week!
To Dr. Brown, I would also suggest writing about the red house at the beginning of Neve Sha'anan and about the "camp" which today is part of the Jezreeliya neighborhood, which was a British camp and later a naval base. Incidentally, Neve Sha'anan has many places with history, such as the "Hanaton in Hanita and Trumpeldor and Beit Dina and more."
Thank you for your response. We can only refer to exact addresses. Have a good week!
The article would have been more perfect if the photographers had included an authentic photo of the boys as they are today.
Thank you for your response. The articles in this section are based on illustrations – authentic only. Have a good week!
I would like to receive information about the building with the red roof in the corner of a garden in Bat Galim.
Please provide an exact address so we can check. Have a good week!
It was one of the first buildings in Haifa to be equipped with an elevator.
We, the neighborhood kids, have turned riding this elevator up and down into a popular pastime.
Finally, tenants got fed up with the issue and they found a way to limit elevator use to tenants only.
Thank you very much, Yoram Yedidy, for the piece of information that completes the puzzle about the girls on Geula Street. Have a good week!
It seems to me that the building is at the end of Rabbi Akiva Street - Nos. 39-41, and not at the beginning as written here.
Thank you for your response. Indeed, if you are referring to the numbering of the houses, you are right. I was referring to the direction of travel on the street… I will correct the address accordingly. Shabbat Shalom'
The late Benny Nachshon, a researcher of Haifa's history, told me the following story years ago with a smile: Over the years, a sign was placed on the protective wall at the entrance to one of the stairwells that indicated the fact that it was the broadcasting station of "Free France." Ultra-Orthodox residents who live in the building asked to remove the word "Free" because, for them, Free France are secular people, while the residents are religious, and this hurts their feelings...
Thank you for your response, Uri. Where will we end up if only the word "free" offends the Haredi authorities?! The authorities are giving in to such a delusional demand! Shabbat Shalom!
Thank you for mentioning my late father.
Orit Nachshon Kantor
There is no halachic problem with saying the words "Free France." It doesn't offend anyone, and the sign has been up for 40 years.