For developer Akiva Zuravin, cranes on Jerusalem’s skyline are the next chapters in the eternal story

Photos: Elchanan Kotler

Many cities have that one iconic structure that stands out on the skyline. In New York, it’s the Empire State Building; in Dubai, it’s the Burj Khalifa; in London, it’s the Shard; in Toronto, it’s the CN Tower. And in Jerusalem, it’s the ubiquitous crane, towering above both ancient and modern structures, arms sweeping in every direction.

While the city’s signature Jerusalem stone still dominates, its warm tones anchoring the view, alongside it, glass and steel climb in clean verticals, forming a silhouette unimaginable a generation ago. Layers of past and present compete for attention — slate rooftops and elongated stone structures with arched windows and intricate ironwork set against the sharp geometry of high-rises in various stages of construction.

For the past decade or so, this view has been changing almost by the month. The city’s luxury boom has collided with its strict preservation codes, forcing architects to invent a new design language that balances heritage and ambition. What began with a few high-profile projects has become a defining feature of Jerusalem’s 21st-century identity. It’s no longer only a city of ancient stones but an urban-forward hub where the past and future are locked in an ongoing architectural conversation.

This collision of old and new is the result of shifting demographics, design sensibilities, and real estate economics that have forced the city to reimagine itself. The municipality’s push has been straightforward: Stop the steady trickle of residents leaving for work and affordability elsewhere, and instead, bring in families and professionals prepared to build a future here.

For some, the transformation is simply disorienting; yet there are others who see it as a postmodern infringement on the quaint Jerusalem they love, or worry that they’ll be priced out of the city — not an unreasonable fear, as many young couples who grew up in Jerusalem can only dream of settling in the city as their own families grow. For many, though, it’s the evolution that Jerusalem has been anticipating as the country steps toward a new and ever more prosperous era.