The project consists of two 29-floor residential towers, at the soaring height of 120 meters above ground, with 308 residential units. A 7-level underground parking lot is being excavated below the towers, with 265 parking spaces. While the towers and the parking lot constitute the
main part of the build, what makes it unique is actually the preservation work on site. Beside the towers are two historic buildings: the Etz HaHayim yeshiva and kindergarten buildings that
are designated for preservation. All excavation and construction work on site have been planned and designed with their preservation in mind.
The many challenges entailed in Etz HaHayim required Ashtrom Contracting to utilize creative solutions for every stage of the project, and to adhere to extraordinary levels of planning and
preparation. The optimal amalgamation of complex engineering and unique logistics is what makes this project unique.

The First of its Kind in the World

The kindergarten structure being lower by 60 cm than the yeshiva structure level, the entire structure had to be lifted while the parking lot and foundations are excavated underneath. The
ancient kindergarten structure weighs about 3,000 metric tonne, and its stability relies on gravity walls and vaults only. Lifting this type of structure had never been attempted in Israel, and is rare worldwide, which makes this a unique and extraordinarily complex engineering feat.
To prevent structure collapse, Ashtrom erected support foundations and installed a steel construction enveloping all walls, providing strength and preventing shifts and cracks. The second stage was installing cross-structure steel trusses, and connecting them to the foundations that were cast in advance beneath the existing walls. Using a hydraulic system, the structure was lifted and affixed to steel plinths. The entire process was monitored by a special monitoring system, capable of broadcasting and alerting in real time about any deviation in measurements.
Once the kindergarten structure had been successfully lifted, excavation work began down to the minus three level, which was connected to the building’s basement level. Only then could construction of the towers begin, while excavation for underground parking continued.