Brutalist landmark reinvented as giant arts and hotel complex in Israel
An iconic brutalist building on Israel’s Mediterranean coast has been transformed into a vast arts complex featuring a hotel, galleries, concert halls, restaurant, spa and wellness centre.
The 1960s structure – formerly known as the Mivtachim Sanitarium – is formed by a series of modular, concrete units located on Mount Carmel Ridge in the village of Zichron Ya’akov.
It was was created by the late Israeli architect Ya’akov Rechter, who was awarded the the Israel Prize – the country’s highest honour – in recognition of his work.
Following eight years of planning and construction, the building has now been re-opened by philanthropist and art collector Lily Elstein and rebranded as the Elma Arts Complex Luxury Hotel.
“The complex is a new kind of utopia which mixes hospitality and high art,” said Elstein in a statement. “It was built in the belief that when you stay with art, the art stays with you long after you leave.”
The careful renovation of the building was carried out by Ranni Ziss and the original architect’s son, Amnon Rechter. Interior designs were created by Israeli designers Lea Mahler and Baranowitz & Kronenberg and custom-designed textiles were developed by designer Neora Warshavsky to reflect the area’s aesthetic heritage and traditions.
The interiors have a clean design that matches the subtlety of the minimalist façade, and feature heavy use of terrazzo floor tiles, cement surfaces and oak highlights. Monochromatic leather, oak and walnut furnishings are used throughout the complex’s 95 hotel rooms and suites, as well as three art galleries devoted to Israeli and international artists.
The building has two performance venues hosting music, poetry and theatre performances throughout the year. The 450-seat Elma Hall is designed by New York firm Arup/Artec Consultants and features twenty-five acoustic banners along the side walls that allow the space to be acoustically customised. A more intimate venue, The Cube, has 150 seats and hosts smaller-scale jazz, rock and dance performances and video installations.
Guests at the complex can also dine at a Mediterranean restaurant, work out at the Techno Gym-equipped fitness centre and take tours of the region’s wineries and museums.
A spa and wellness centre features eight treatment rooms – including one double – each with a personal shower, as well as a hammam, heated indoor lap pool with views and relaxation area.
Therapists at the spa make extensive use of therapeutic musical tools before, during and after each treatment with tools such as Tibetan bowls and cymbals, tank drums and harps. A wide variety of treatments incorporate traditional Chinese medicine, Reiki, chakras massage, reflexology, Swedish, aromatherapy and Thai techniques.
The complex also has 28 acres of gardens, complete with an outdoor Olympic-sized pool and a 26-ton marble statue by artist Sigalit Landau.
The Elma Arts Complex Luxury Hotel is a member of the German group Design Hotels, which represents 290 independent hotels in more than 50 countries worldwide.
Brutalism architecture Israel design Rechter Mivtachim Sanitarium Elma arts complex
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