Shalom Mayer Tower

Identification

Map

Structure in general

Usage

Facts

• The many different antennas on top of the tower have become an integral part of its appearance.
• A small amusement park operated on top of the tower's platform during the 1980's.
• This old timer tower is still very successful, with nearly constant displacement rate of 95% of its space. Tel Aviv's largest restaurant-bar is also planned to be built inside the building's platform.
• The cream-hue tile facade was made especially for the tower and was manufactured in Italy.
• Located directly across Echad HaAm Street from Bu>104836.
• Largest office building in Israel when completed.
• The tower is mistakenly called Colbo Shalom by many locals, after the name of the large, popular department store in its platform, operating until the late 80's.
• Under the 2003-2004 partial renovation, some of the facade was replaced and the top floors were converted from office to apartment use.
• Tallest tower in the Middle East for 14 years.
• This tower is still one of Tel Aviv's most famous icons, despite its age and the many new towers in the city.
• Upon completion, Shalom Meir Tower was taller than any other tower in Asia, Africa, Oceania and the Middle East.
• Inside the first floor of the western lobby are two giant mosaic murals, created by the famous Israeli artist Nachum Gutmann, and several miniature models of Tel Aviv in its early years.
• A locally famous wax-museum was operating in the building's shopping center until the late 80's.
• The city's first and and only subway station was built in an underground level of the tower, in order to connect it to a future underground railway development. The only other building in Israel with the same feature is HaNeviyim Tower in Haifa.
• A four-lane two-way road passes right underneath the tower.
• The construction permit was originally for a building of a smaller scale. Ironically, the District Committee of Tel Aviv which issues final approvals for constructions in thr city is now one of the tower's tenants.
• For fire protection two water pools are located on the 17th floor and two on the roof.
• 50,000 cubic meters of concrete, 4,000 tons of steel, 35 kilometers of water pipes and 500 kilometers of wiring used in the tower.
• Israel's tallest tower for 34 years; surpassed by the Azrieli Center Circular Tower in Tel Aviv in 1999.
• The original building of the Gymnasya Herzeliya, the first Jewish school in Israel after 2000 years of exile, was demolished in order to make room for this tower. In the ensuing years, the decision to demolish the school has been regretted by both the government and public.
• Several people committed suicide during the first years the observation deck was open, prompting the installation of a tall metal fence to prevent anyone from jumping.
• During construction, the developers were caught in a financial crisis. Without direct help from the Israeli government, the tower could not have been completed.
• The tower's open-air observation deck, Tel Aviv's tallest for many years, closed its doors several years ago due to lack of visitors. Azrieli Center Circular Tower had a large part in this decision.