I 've worked ,however,in a tower for many years, an office tower in Tel Aviv, called Shalom Tower ('shalom' meaning 'peace' in hebrew).
I wasn't crazy about the place despite the view of the Mediterranean through my window . I disliked the dependence on elevators and the impatient crowds waiting for them. I did like, though, its central position and proximity to the sea, city market, cultural and shopping areas.
Panoramic view ,including the sea, from the 19th floor (not digital photo)
Shalom Tower ,named after Shalom Meir, father of the tower's two developers, has 34 floors, the lobby and the first floor serving as free art galleries (mosaics, paintings, sculptures), and photo exhibitions (of people, maps, projects..) with emphasis on the city's history and urban development.
mosaic wall
Shalom Tower seen from adjacent Herzel street
Let's hope that towers and skyscrapers regardless of place will bring real 'Shalom' ('Peace') to the people that live/work in them.
It's a beautiful tower! I understand your dislike of living in one, even working in one after what we saw on 9-11 in New York, but yes, they do save on space, that's for sure. I love that almost all the places that you post on your blog give so much emphasis to Art. Love that. Maybe I just haven't noticed that when I'm out and about and you have a natural talent for seeing art. I'll have to be more vigilant. Wow, it's nice to hear a little about your personal life. I never imagined you would work in such a beautiful place!
ReplyDeleteIndeed, it has a basic beauty about it. It's an historical landmark - the first tower - so it attracts many visitors. The art exhibits that cover the lobby and the first floor, tell them all about the tower and about the city it belongs to.
DeleteDuta, I love your photos! This is such a fascinating post! Thank you so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Perhaps I'll add some more photos.
DeleteThat is a huge tower, Duta. Is this the tower that you worked in for many years? I'd like to see the mosaic wall and the photo exhibits up close since I enjoy photography. I didn't know "Shalom" meant peace. I learned something today.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
Yes, it is what we call a skyscraper, and yes it has been my workplace for many years. The art exhibits were added gradually over the years. You can enlarge the photos to see them better.
DeleteI dislike elevators but I use them and impatient crowds are not too much fun! If I understand correctly, the meaning of "Shalom" is peace--nothing missing, nothing broken. What a beautiful word and lovely way to greet one another. We could use a little more shalom here in the U.S.
ReplyDeleteShalom, Duta! Enjoy your weekend.
Mary
The word 'shalom' means 'peace' in hebrew (in yeddish it is spelled sholom, shoilom, shulem). In our israeli and jewish daily life, 'shalom' is also used both as 'hello' and 'good-bye'.
DeleteThere are pluses and minuses to living/working in a tower. My favorite is the perspective of birds in flight. And of course, the views!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you about the views; I don't know about birds in flight. Never seen that. I've only heard about damage done by birds to phone lines and the antennas on the top.
DeleteDuta, you definitely have quite a view from the tower overlooking the beautiful Mediterranean! It's a nice looking building and great with the art galleries.
ReplyDeleteElevators creep me out sometimes, makes me claustrophobic, so I hope you work on a lower floor; plus, it makes it easier for a faster escape also.
Chicago has very tall buildings, my hubby worked in one for years, but I worked out in the suburb where we live, no skyscrapers there! 😉 Good and interesting post!
Shalom!
I used to work there in the past. Now I'm retired but visit the place from time to time.
DeleteWhen I'm at a hotel, I always ask for a room on the lower floor as I think as you do that it "makes it easier for a faster escape".
Like the Shalom Tower, which is to be commended for its appreciation of the arts, condominiums (residential skyscrapers) are sprouting up all over my hometown of Toronto, Canada.
ReplyDeleteWhen you've grown up in a city that has devoted itself to green spaces and mostly single-family homes, it's hard for the eye to adjust to such concrete monsters, but these are different times, and for the reasons that you stated, call for different measures, I guess.
Your views to the Med must have made those elevator rides worth it.
Happy Sunday, Duta!
Poppy
Israel imitates the West in everything including skyscrapers. However,unlike Canada, we're a tiny country with real shortage of land in general and in the center,where the jobs are,in particular. So, this easily leads to erection of towers with all the safety, security, and social problems that might occur.
DeleteI too hate multi storied buildings for the same reason - dependence on elevators.
ReplyDeleteIf there's a fire or ,in war time, alarms - we are not supposed to use them at all. We're to descend on foot!
DeleteYes lets hope the Peace tower and others bring Peace! Yes there are so many taller ones built since 1965....a way of life now
ReplyDeleteLiving in towers has indeed become a way of life in the city. It could easily bring about frictions between the various groups that inhabit them So, it's important that we wish for peace.
DeleteI can understand your feelings about when you worked in the tower.
ReplyDeleteGood views from that one. It's a nice touch how they have a photographic and art display on the lower floors.
The views, the art, and the location, make it up for most of the possible inconveniences and dangers.
DeleteGrenfell tower was so awful. Too many disasters. I'm happy to live in a bungalow in a forest!
ReplyDeleteI guess you are. I follow a blog written by a woman who lives in a motorhome and wanders with it from one camping site to another. She seems happy too. Dwelling in a tower is not a happy option.
DeleteI don't think I would like living in a tower or a city. Too many people! I'll keep my current arrangement in farm country :)
ReplyDelete"Too many people" indeed. Even in a city one ould live in a decent house or low building, but a tower is a crowded option with almost no benefits.
DeleteOne would hope that peace reigned supreme...everywhere.
ReplyDeleteI've never lived nor worked in a tower. I, too, don't enjoy being among a crowd. I stay well away from crowded areas these days...and have done so for a long time.
Here where I live still retains a village atmosphere...and most properties are acreages. This property on which my little cabin sits (with no neighbours within view) is three acres in area.
I shop locally and stay well away from the large shopping centres elsewhere. :)
Sounds a good place, away from the crowds. The main thing is that you like where and how you live. That gives you inner peace and makes your life enjoyable.
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