The Azrieli Centre is a group of three unusual skyscrapers: round, triangular and square. At their feet is one of the largest shopping malls in Israel.
The Centre is named after Canadian designer, developer, philanthropist of Polish descent David Joshua Azrieli, who implemented this largest and most expensive real estate project in Israel. At first, American-Israeli architect Eli Attia designed the towers to be lower, but the billionaire developer demanded a change of plans. The result is an impressive trio of skyscrapers in Tel Aviv.
The tallest tower of the Centre, a circular tower of forty-nine storeys, was completed in 1999. Its top point is 187 metres above ground level, the tallest building in Tel Aviv. On the penultimate floor, during David Azrieli's lifetime, his personal office was located, above it is a panoramic observation deck and a restaurant. From the observation deck you can see a large part of central Israel, from Ashkelon (near the Gaza border) in the south to the port city of Haifa in the north. Entrance to the site is paid, and visitors are offered paid telescopes to view the surrounding area. Experienced tourists advise to go straight to a restaurant that has exactly the same views from the windows: together with a business lunch it is only slightly more expensive.
The triangular tower is lower than the round tower, its height is 169 metres and its cross-section is an equilateral triangle. The most squat tower is the square tower, 154 metres high. Its lower thirteen floors are occupied by the Crown Plaza Hotel.
At the base of the towers is one of the largest shopping malls in Israel. There are about thirty restaurants, about two hundred fashionable shops, playrooms for children, eight cinema halls. There is an excellent children's playground in pirate style - here children can climb, run, splash in the pool. The centre is a lively place, and many people visit it every day. At the same time, it is one of the safest places in the country: special attention is paid to the security system here.
Right from the shopping complex on a pedestrian bridge over the highway, you can go to the neighbouring district of Ha-Kirya to the foot of the Matkal Tower 107 metres high. It houses Israel's military offices.
