123 Restoring the Shaare Zedek Building

Original design: the engineer, Theodor Sandel, 1902; Restoration architects: Solar Architects

An hourlong tour with Giora Solar, the restoration architect who is in charge of restoring this historical building. It used to be a hospital until 1980, after which it housed the Israel Broadcasting Authority. The tour will include explanations about the history of the building, its importance, how it operated, and the role it played in Jerusalem in the early 20^th century. Participants will be shown the planned restoration works, as well as the blueprint for converting the building into a boutique hotel.

The building is now home to New Spirit – a center for culture, art and entrepreneurship – where dozens of musicians, designers, video and sound creators, startups, social and community initiatives and creative businesses operate. All of them preserve the values of innovativeness, sustainability and communality that have characterized the work done in the building in the last 120 years.

Exhibitions that are part of the Jerusalem Biennale – De Profundis – are currently on display in the building.