Tel Aviv Residents Return to Home Damaged by Iranian Missile

Residents of a reconstructed apartment building in central Tel Aviv are set to receive their keys before the Rosh Hashanah holiday, which begins September 11. The building, renovated under the Tama 38/2 urban renewal program, was damaged by an Iranian missile strike on March 5, just a week before its scheduled occupancy. The extensive damage caused by the blast wave delayed the residents' return by six months.

The building, located at 12 Bilu Street near the intersection of Lincoln and Yehuda Halevi streets, did not suffer a direct hit. However, the explosion severely damaged its rear, causing millions of shekels in damage, including broken windows, doors, and external walls of several apartments.

The renovation project, carried out by Ram-Mugrabi-Arditi, increased the building's apartments from 10 to 16. The structure, originally built in the 1930s and situated in a UNESCO World Heritage area, saw its living space significantly expanded. The renovation began in 2020 and was initially slated for completion in the spring of this year.

The war and subsequent missile attack disrupted these plans, causing financial losses for the contractor, who had to cover temporary housing for residents for six months. Some apartment owners who intended to rent out their units also lost rental income during this period.

Boaz, a resident, expressed his relief that the work is finally concluding, noting the unusual circumstances. Elad Shmerling, a director at Ram-Mugrabi-Arditi, stated that damage assessment began during active hostilities, and repairs commenced before receiving compensation from the Tax Authority. Shmerling also highlighted the complex legal situation, as the contractor had to act on behalf of the residents while involving them in the compensation process, with dealings with the Tax Authority's Compensation Fund still ongoing.