Kirya base to be moved out of Tel Aviv?

Defense Ministry promoting project that aims to move army buildings to national priority areas and create new neighborhood in their place

Ofer Petersburg|Published: 03.08.12 , 19:20

A Defense Ministry initiative aims to see the majority of the Kirya IDF base offices moved out of Tel Aviv and into national priority areas in the Negev, the Galilee region and the city of Lod, Yedioth Ahronoth reported Thursday.

According to the plan, the army buildings will be replaced by two residential buildings, with 45 stories each, two office buildings as well as a new mall. One of the office buildings is expected to be the tallest in Israel with some 80 floors.

The project aims to revive the historic Templar colony in Tel Aviv's center. Construction is scheduled to begin within three years.

The plan is being coordinated with the Finance Ministry, Israel Land Administration, and the Tel Aviv Municipality. The general concept is to add the Kirya to other Central Israel army bases that are being cleared out of the area, after the recent evacuation of the "southern Kirya" complex.

Israel Land Administration officials decided to expand the project after witnessing its success. "The army does not belong at the heart of a bustling metropolitan," they said.

The new neighborhood will still retain several army buildings, primarily those built in the last few years.

The 30 Templar structures currently part of the Kirya complex are slated to become part of the new Sharona commercial center being built south of Kaplan street. The new complex will offer fashion stores, offices, restaurants and bars.

The Defense Ministry confirmed the report.