Iconic Haifa Tower Reopens After Iranian Missile Damage

Translated & summarized from Hamal by baba

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Hebrew · 7 newsrooms covering

Haifa's "Sail Tower" has reopened and resumed full government operations one year after being damaged by an Iranian missile blast. The Nazarian family, owners of the building, invested NIS 100 million in renovations, and the state has extended its lease for 16 years. The missile strike on June 20, 2025, injured 55 people and damaged the tower, which was subsequently evacuated. The reopening is seen as a significant boost for Haifa's downtown area and its future development.

The story in 6 lines · by baba

Haifa's "Sail Tower" has fully reopened after a year of repairs following damage from an Iranian missile blast.
Government ministries have returned to the building, which is now part of the city's regional government complex.
The building's owners, the Nazarian family, are investing an additional NIS 100 million in upgrades.
The state has signed a new 16-year lease extension for the government offices in the tower.
The Iranian missile strike on June 20, 2025, injured 55 people and caused significant damage.
The reopening is expected to strengthen Haifa's downtown area and boost local businesses.

Iconic Haifa Tower Reopens After Iranian Missile Damage — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

Haifa's iconic "Sail Tower," also known as the "Missile Building," has fully resumed operations a year after being damaged by the blast wave of an Iranian missile. Government ministries, including the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Education, have returned to the building after being evacuated last year during Operation "With All Your Might." The building's owners, the Nazarian family, have spent the past year renovating and restoring the structure, which is now once again a major part of the city's regional government complex.

In conjunction with the reopening, the state, represented by attorneys Merav Gilboa and Oded Rihan, has signed a new 16-year lease extension for the government offices. The Sail Tower spans 31,000 square meters across 25 floors above ground and three underground parking levels. The building is owned by N.M.N.B.S. Company, controlled by the US-based Nazarian family, known for their significant philanthropic contributions to Israeli society through the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Family Foundation.

Despite the building's structural integrity remaining intact, the Nazarian family is investing an additional NIS 100 million in upgrading building systems and infrastructure, including air conditioning, elevators, electrical systems, and fire safety. Part of this budget is also expected to be used by the state for further upgrades to the floors it occupies.

The Iranian ballistic missile struck near the Sail Tower on June 20, 2025, around 3:52 PM during Operation "With All Your Might." The resulting blast caused significant damage to the tower and nearby buildings, injuring 55 people and leading to the tower being declared a dangerous structure. Dr. Sharon Nazarian stated that the family is investing the additional NIS 100 million to return the building to tenants in better condition than before the incident, expressing faith in the building, the city, and the country.

Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav called the return of government offices a significant development for Haifa and its residents, emphasizing his efforts to bring government operations back to the city center. He highlighted the lease extension and renovation as a clear expression of confidence in Haifa's future and its importance as a metropolitan city serving over a million residents in the north. Yahav added that the government complex is a vital anchor for the downtown area, and its full operation will strengthen businesses and aid the region's renewal.