Tel Aviv Court Refuses to Delay Demolition of Building Housing Singer Yehuda Poliker
Translated & summarized from Globes by baba
A Tel Aviv court has denied an appeal to delay the demolition of a building housing singer Yehuda Poliker, paving the way for its reconstruction. The court rejected claims of unfair compensation distribution, ruling that while some residents were disadvantaged, Poliker himself did not receive excessive benefits. Notifications for residents to vacate are expected next week, with the project set to replace the old building with a new 27-unit structure. The decision considered the building's poor condition and the need to proceed with the urban renewal project.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- A Tel Aviv court rejected an appeal to delay the demolition of Yehuda Poliker's building.
- The building at 7 Biltmore Street is slated for demolition and reconstruction.
- One of two objecting apartment owners filed the appeal after a prior ruling.
- Vacate notices are expected to be sent to residents next week.
- The project will replace the old building with a new 27-unit structure.
A Tel Aviv district court has rejected a request to delay the demolition and reconstruction of a building where singer Yehuda Poliker resides. The court denied an appeal seeking to halt the execution of a ruling that approved the urban renewal project at 7 Biltmore Street, near the State Square. The appeal was filed by one of two apartment owners who opposed the agreement with the developer.
Notifications to vacate the building are expected to be sent to residents next week. This decision comes approximately six months after the Senior Superintendent of Land Registration in Tel Aviv, Oshrat Arfi-Morai, authorized the project's advancement despite objections. The dispute centered on the distribution of benefits among apartment owners, particularly the properties singer Yehuda Poliker would receive for his five apartments in the building.
In March, the superintendent ruled that Poliker did not receive excessive compensation overall, though she found that two objecting owners were indeed disadvantaged compared to another owner and were entitled to compensation. The initial agreement was signed in August 2020 by owners of 11 out of 13 units with the developer Ram-Mugrabi-Arditi. The two remaining owners refused to join, prompting the others to seek the superintendent's approval.
The objectors argued that Poliker's compensation was calculated based on areas they believed should not have been included, such as roof space, balconies, and a basement unit used as a private salt room. They also claimed preferential treatment in the new apartments' specifications and differing developer contributions to taxes. Supporters countered that Poliker's compensation was not excessive, as he would receive three apartments in the new building despite owning five units and would bear taxes due to his multiple properties.
A court-appointed appraiser acknowledged some claims regarding the basement unit, stating its value should not be calculated as a standard residential unit. However, the overall assessment indicated that Poliker's total compensation was approximately NIS 120,500 less than he was entitled to, but since he signed the agreement, no compensation was awarded. Conversely, another owner was found to have received excessive compensation of about NIS 1.14 million, with the two objectors entitled to their proportional share.
District Court Judge Limor Bibi dismissed the delay request, estimating the appeal's chances as low. The decision considered the old building's condition, which lacks bomb protection and earthquake reinforcement, and the potential harm to other residents from further delays in receiving their new apartments. The project involves demolishing the 1960s building and constructing a new one with 27 apartments, to be developed alongside the adjacent building at 9 Biltmore Street, with a shared underground parking lot. Owners will receive additional space, a safe room, a balcony, parking, storage, and compensation for rent and relocation during construction.
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