The Jerusalem Hotel Will Finally Be Demolished
By Jacki Wiluzanski · · Updated · 3 min read
The magnificent building is closed and abandoned in one of the most expensive locations in the capital, between Mamilla and the Old City. After a series of conflicts and discussions, an agreement was reached to demolish it.
And what will be built in its place?
The Jerusalem Municipality had previously issued a demolition order for the building, which has been abandoned for more than 20 years, but the court referred the dispute between the municipality and the property's owner to a mediation process. The property's owner also tried to advance the construction of two more floors on top of the existing structure, but was flatly rejected because of the ban on building above the height line of the Old City walls.
Yesterday, the committee approved demolishing the building and building a new hotel in its place. Despite the ban on building above the height of the wall and within 75 meters of it, the new hotel will slightly exceed the height of the wall, so events and canopies will not be permitted on the hotel's roof.
Sources involved in the matter said that the property's owner plans to demolish the building in the coming months. If the new hotel is not built there, as has now been decided, the municipality will create a park or similar open space there, which will be integrated into the landscape of the walled city.
"The decision was very difficult," said Council member and Planning and Building Committee member Yehuda Freudiger, who was present at the committee. "On one hand, this is about cleaning up a stain that has settled in one of the most beautiful places in the city, but on the other, it violates the building policy of not exceeding the height of the wall."
The solution we decided on in the committee is that the deviation will be minimal and the restriction of no rooftop facilities strikes an appropriate balance between the two. I am glad that finally, after decades, we can close this wound in the heart of the city.
The Jerusalem Municipality stated: "The advancement of the plan is the result of an agreement signed after long and complex negotiations between the Jerusalem Municipality and the landowners. The agreement stipulates that the plan will not be published with validity until the existing structure is demolished. The agreement also stipulated that after the demolition of the abandoned building, a building would be constructed for hotel use that would highlight its important and central location. The building will blend harmoniously with the unique character of the area and will not harm the familiar and cherished landscape that surrounds it.
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