stairs to and from the bridge
walking on the bridge to the Mall entrance
The tower complex itself is comprised of three impressive towers: a circular shaped one, a triangle one, and a square one; the geometrical shapes make the tower compound one of the most photographed in the country.
the three 'Azrieli' towers
There's security checkup at the entrance of the towers; also at the entrance of the military compound. No security check at the steps leading to the bridge, but I've seen a guy with a gun patrolling near the stairs and along the street segment. Not that it helps much, once a terrorist decides to take some lives and on the way his own too; but ,still, we wish to believe the presence of security people might prevent such terrible acts.
bottom figure: gunman near the stairs to the bridge
gunman patrolling with female colleague
The Towers and some adjacent buildings, belong to the canadian-israeli entrepeneur David Azrieli and his family, and bear the name of 'Azrieli Center'. In the lobby of the shopping mall (circular tower) there's a bronze statue of the owner sitting on a bench. People (me included) are usually tempted to take a selfie 'with Azrieli' on the bench. Not a bad idea, as in this way he's immortalized in everyone's photo album.
The Azrieli towers are not the only towers in the area, and the above pedestrian bridge is not the only one connecting the two sides of the tel-avivian Begin road. I suppose that after the erection of several towers , it has become necessary to build bridges to ease the congested traffic and find adequate solution for pedestrians. This is what I would call 'necessity over beauty.'
Pretty architecture, even the bridges!
ReplyDeleteYes.
DeleteAt first, I got appalled by the bridge, and tried to avoid being on it. Gradually, I started seeing that it has some grace and ended up liking it.
I like how his statue of himself is him on an ordinary day with normal clothes and the rolled up blueprints of the building. If I made a statue of myself, I would have wings or a cape or something!
ReplyDeleteIndeed, his statue is that of an ordinary man in ordinary clothes, not the magnate, the rich entrepenor and owner of towers and centers.
DeleteYou've got good spirit of observation, Sandi!
That is quite an impressive tower complex, Duta, especially that bridge and stairway. I also enjoyed seeing the selfie with the entrepreneur responsible for these structures.
ReplyDeleteThe 'trio' of towers is very attractive! The circular one which is the bigger of the three towers, has fun activities for kids going on during summer on its roof: water pool, rope climbing, a little train, etc...
ReplyDeleteI've heard people say:'maybe if I sit near that very rich man,I'll catch some of his luck:)
It looks really lovely and modern! And very sf! We have a statue of two grannies sitting on a bench at our nearby lake Palic and people also always take photos with them :)
ReplyDeleteThere is supposed to be a pass built near my home over the local railways but I don't know if it will ever gonna happen, in my culture local and even state politicians tend to steal our money instead of actually investing it into the better life of the citizens.
So sad about the terrorist threat, Duta, that is how life always is when you have an Islamic country as your neighbour :( We know it too, sadly, the only difference is that in your case USA is on your side (for their own goals) and in our not (for their own goals too).
I would have taken a photo with the grannies too:).
DeleteNot only in your culture - all politicians, everywhere, are corrupt. Politicians are the source of all evil, and it has to do with money.
Yes, our country's reality, both the inner and the outer, is a very sad one.
Great architecture for sure, so modern! Kind of sad that there have to be patrols with loaded guns in so many areas. Great photo with the statue!
ReplyDeleteI think something about the bridge's floor is changed; it feels and looks much better than a few years ago. That wouldn't surprise me as it is often crowded with tourists and there's a wish to make a good impression.
DeleteThe architecture is quite amazing.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately it is a sign of the times to see armed patrols …
All the best Jan
The architecture of the towers, in particular. But I've come to like and appreciate the architecture of the bridge too.
Delete"..a sign of the times.." - a sign of bad times.
That's really interesting. I love seeing pictures of other places like that. Thanks for sharing these great pictures.
ReplyDeleteHello Mary,you're welcome.
DeleteInteresting, yes; I'm not sure about original. I suppose there are similar structures in the big, wide world.
David Azrieli looks like he was an amiable fellow. I'm sure he doesn't mind sharing his space with others...or appearing in their selfies. :)
ReplyDeleteIndeed, he was, they say. He was a self made man who came to Canada penniless. He never forgot his roots despite his wealth as a real estate tycoon and developer. He was also a big philantropherwho donated lots of money to various good causes.
DeleteQuite a building and bridge! Thanks for the guided view. Fun to end it at the bench with you sitting alongside Mr. Azrieli`s likeness. I almost expect him to lean over and shake your hand, in thanks for sharing his buildings in your post!!
ReplyDeleteFunny, isn't it? Perhaps my only chance to sit near a real-estate tycoon and developer who made millions in Canada, Israel, and in other parts of the world.
DeleteThe buildings are very interesting and a clever idea to use the 3 shapes together. I have heard you have more room in a round space. Maybe that was his intentions. If I got the chance to pose with him, I would reach for the pencil in his pocket as if I needed to sign something. LOL Peace
ReplyDeleteI don't know about more room, but I love circular buildings.".. reach for the pencil in his pocket.." - nice thought.
DeleteIt's tough, the things we have to do in this day and age.
ReplyDeleteYou mean the security checkups and the gunman patrolling. Yes, it's tough and sad, and it disrupts normal life.
DeleteI often think about the terrorists on 9-11 and the people in the buildings that were struck. Recently we moved our offices up to the 2nd floor of our building and there are stairs and an elevator. Because of my Sciatica and the weakness in my left leg I have a tough time taking the stairs and I wonder at times what I would have done on 9-11 if I had been on the top floors and had to run down the stairs with people pushing and shoving. I'm sure I would have been trampled to death. It makes me sad for the people that died that day, the horrors they must have suffered through before they died. Elevators, bridges, stairs...all a necessary evil.
ReplyDeleteWhen you feel in danger , you get unexpected powers and intuitions to save your life.
DeleteI tend to agree with your concluding sentence about the "neessary evil".
When you feel in danger , you get unexpected powers and intuitions to save your life.
DeleteI tend to agree with your concluding sentence about the "neessary evil".