Jerusalem’s Transformation from Quaint to High-Rise

Award-winning architect David Kroyanker talks about his new book Jerusalem That Once Was: A Personal Perspective and discusses the historic gems that once stood in Israel’s capital city. Learn how he helped save the iconic clock tower of the Talitha Kumi orphanage which stood from 1873 until it was demolished in 1980 to build a department store.

And what does this author of over 30 books on architecture think of modern Jerusalem? The new high-rise towers? The light-rail construction? The Zionist pioneers who built the suburbs? Did David Ben-Gurion really want the Old City walls torn down after the Six Day War? Find out as this 86-year-old Jerusalem native talks about the city he loves.

The Talithakumi building on what is today King George Street in Jerusalem. Credit: 1910, American Colony archives / Israeli Government Press Office

Destruction of the Talithakumi building in 1980. The Migdal HaIr building can be seen in the background. Credit: David Kroyanker

Clock tower and chimney from the original Talithakumi building on displace in front of the Mashbir department store, 2007. Credit: Hmbr, Wiki Commons

The back of the old Talithakumi clock on display on King George Street. It received new lighting in 2021. Credit: Srugim news / Jerusalem Municipality

David Kroyanker. Credit: courtesy author

Jerusalem That Once Was by David Kroyanke

NOTES:

• David Kroyanker, Jerusalem Architecture official website

• Jerusalem That Once Was by David Kroyanker (Porat Books)

• 'Jerusalem That Once Was': An architect's look at the history of Israel's capital - review - Jerusalem Post

• David Kroyanker books on Amazon.com

• Talitha Kumi monument serves as warning against demolition of historical buildings

• Jerusalem Post interview with David Kroyanker on Architecture of the State in the Making