Abandoned Haifa Hotel with Stunning Views Faces Neglect

The Dvir Hotel in Haifa, located on Yefe Nof Street, has been abandoned since 2019, causing distress to local residents who report disturbances including shouting and loud noises, particularly on weekends and holidays. Neighbors have contacted the municipal hotline out of fear. The municipality is attempting to facilitate the hotel's return to operation, but an agreement has not yet been reached.

The hotel complex, which also includes two related buildings on Elhanan Street in the Central Carmel area, has been repeatedly breached despite attempts to seal the structures. Currently, only parts of the complex are sealed, with the upper section on Elhanan Street completely open.

Residents describe hearing arguments and curses, attributing the disturbances to teenagers who apparently trespass in the abandoned building. The building, originally constructed in 1958 and opened as the Dvir Hotel, later housed a government hotel school and culinary school, operated by the Dan chain. It featured 31 guest rooms and was known as "Dan Gardens."

Former residents recall the area as once vibrant, with a successful hotel school. They express dismay at the current state of neglect, noting the prime location and the wasted potential, especially given the panoramic views that can extend to Mount Hermon on a clear day.

Deputy Mayor Sarit Golan Steinberg stated that the municipality is keen to reactivate the hotel, which is state-owned and designated for preservation along with the Elhanan Street buildings. The municipality is exploring options with the government housing administration to repurpose state-owned properties in Haifa, potentially involving land swaps to consolidate government offices and provide the city with alternative assets. These discussions are ongoing, with valuation and development suitability assessments underway. A joint task force has been established to advance the matter, though no timeline for an agreement has been set. The financing for the restoration is also part of the ongoing negotiations, with the building's condition being a significant factor in its valuation and determining who will undertake its renovation. The city's policy, championed by Mayor Yona Yahav, aims to return former hotel properties to their original use and develop new accommodations.

The government housing administration confirmed ongoing dialogue with the Haifa municipality regarding the Dvir Hotel and other properties, aiming for mutually beneficial agreements. However, no fundamental agreement for property exchange has been reached, and the process is still under review without a set completion date.