Urban Renewal With 950 New Homes and Commercial Space

25/01/2026

An urban renewal plan with 950 housing units, commercial and employment space was approved. Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon: "An abandoned area will be transformed into a unique urban center."

The Jerusalem Municipality, through the Local Planning and Building Committee, decided to recommend approval of the plan for the evacuation and construction of the Hasbon complex, between King George, Hillel and Hamatid streets and Independence Park, in central Jerusalem.

The plan covers an area of approximately 27 dunams and proposes a mixed-use complex that includes approximately 950 housing units, commercial, employment, tourism and public buildings, to be built in place of the old existing buildings in the area that will be evacuated. The new complex will include three buildings, including the preservation of the historic buildings.
It should be noted that the committee accepted some of the objections filed, including the one relating to the proposed underground connection beneath Independence Park, which constitutes an urban planning violation, and therefore recommended its cancellation.

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon stated: "The Hasbon complex plan will transform an abandoned area into a unique, vibrant, mixed-use urban center, with a series of open public spaces and improved connections to the main streets." The plan, submitted by "Even Israel Residence," was designed by Melzer April Architects.

Despite objections, the urban planning committee recommended approving the giant plan for the Hasbon complex, located in the heart of the city, east of King George Street. Two council members opposed it: Deputy Mayor Havilio and Yehuda Freudiger, who said: "There are areas where building skyscrapers is prohibited." On the other hand, Deputy Mayor Schwartz, who supported the plan, said: "It could advance the city center and be an important foothold for young people and liberals in the area."

As a Jerusalemite, I believe we must preserve the special character of the city. There are areas where building skyscrapers is prohibited. Recently, it was decided not to build skyscrapers east of King George Street. I believe this decision is correct and should be applied as a guideline. It must not be violated, and unfortunately the Hasbon towers violate it. The city center, closer to the Old City, should be lower; there are enough huge buildings in the Davidka area and there is no reason or need to cross King George Street with towers.

Not to mention that Independence Park, one of the symbols of Jerusalem, will be destroyed for a real estate project. The speaker, council member Yehuda Freudiger (Religious Zionism-National Democratic Front), is one of the only two members of the urban planning committee who voted against the giant plan for the Hasbon complex, east of King George Street. The plan, as can be understood, was approved by the Jerusalem Municipal Planning Committee despite two opponents, Deputy Mayor Yossi Havilio (Jerusalem Union) and Freudiger, and despite 300 objections filed by the public.

The Jerusalem Municipality, through the Local Planning and Building Committee, decided today to recommend approval of a large-scale urban renewal plan for the Hasbon complex, located between King George, Hillel, Hamatid and Gan Ha'atzmaut streets in the city center.

The Hasbon complex plan includes, as published in "Kol Ha'ir," the evacuation of old buildings and the construction of a new mixed-use complex that includes three buildings, together with the preservation of historic buildings of cultural value, as well as significant development of the public space. The municipality notes that, in the course of the debate, some of the objections filed were accepted, but the plan was approved for the most part.

In his objection, Freudiger also addressed the large number of opponents of the plan, saying that "300 objections and thousands of longtime Jerusalemites who are unaware of the process, but who express their opposition to me, share the feeling that Jerusalem is being destroyed by them. It is true that there is a need to respond to population growth, but it is possible in outlying neighborhoods such as Gilo, Givat Hamatos and Armon Hanatziv. There is room to build. In the city center, no." According to him, "The traffic overload on the narrow streets around the project will be disastrous. It is impossible to load more cars onto such narrow streets; it is unreasonable. And of course there is the problem of consequences: now that 45 stories have been approved, there is a precedent: now every developer with land or a building will request the same number of stories. It will be a pity."

Another opponent, as mentioned, is Deputy Mayor Havilio, who told Kol Ha'ir: "The Hasbon plan is one of the worst plans Jerusalem has seen in recent years. It is a plan that harms the heart of the city and its unique character: it destroys parts of Independence Park in favor of a real estate project, violating all the principles and policy documents that were meant to protect Jerusalem as a historic and special city. The planned towers will be visible from everywhere and will ruin the skyline of the Old City area; it will be a cause for lament for generations." According to Havilio, "the plan has certain social benefits, but they are insignificant compared with the enormous damage it is expected to cause the city."

Deputy Mayor Adir Schwartz (Hitorerut) speaks about the benefits. Those who supported the plan, according to him, managed to include 150 student residences, a nightclub, rental housing for public education teachers, and to reduce the building height to under 50 stories: "The project, as it is being promoted today, is much better than the planning alternative approved until now, which offers the city discreet 30-story towers, with no daytime or nighttime life, no commerce or employment, direct street access or diverse housing options. The new project is unconventional, but I believe it will be able to boost the city center and be an important youth and liberal foothold in the area. We will continue to act creatively and with determination to move Jerusalem toward a Zionist, productive and tolerant future."

Returning to the plan and the planning committee: The plan covers approximately 27 dunams and proposes the construction of a mixed-use complex that includes approximately 950 housing units, commercial, employment, tourism and public buildings. In addition, it includes the creation of a series of open spaces, pedestrian crossings and a substantial improvement of the public space in the heart of the city center.

The plan includes limited demolition of the boundaries of Independence Park, together with the expansion and modernization of the entire park. However, the committee accepted the objection regarding the proposed underground connection beneath Independence Park, which was determined to constitute an urban planning violation, and recommended its cancellation.

The plan was submitted by Even Israel Residence and designed by the architecture firm Melzer April. It is promoted as an evacuation-and-construction project in accordance with municipal policy and is based on approved appraisals that determine the scope and height of construction. The area is defined as a high-rise zone in the city's master plan, which promotes several plans that include towers. The proposed towers in the Hasbon complex seek to integrate into the existing fabric.

Mayor Moshe Leon stated: "The Jerusalem Municipality continues to advance plans for the urban renewal of the city center, while preserving the identity and the historic and cultural character of Jerusalem. The Hasbon complex plan will transform an abandoned area into a unique, vibrant, mixed-use urban center, with a series of open public spaces and improved connections to the main streets."

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