Tel Aviv approves plan to add 14,000 apartments as immigration interest grows

The Tel Aviv District Planning and Building Committee has granted final approval to an urban renewal plan that will add approximately 14,000 apartments to the city center, as Israel prepares for a potential increase in immigration from Jewish communities around the world.

The project covers approximately 1,700 dunams in central Tel Aviv, bounded by Bograshov Street and Shaul Hamelech Boulevard to the north, Yitzhak Elhanan Street to the south, Hayarkon Street to the west, and Menachem Begin Street and Sprinzak Street to the east.

Known as Rova 5 and Rova 6, the areas will undergo extensive renovations, including adding floors to existing buildings and replacing older structures with larger, taller buildings.

Similar urban renewal projects are already underway in Rova 3 and Rova 4, which encompass much of the city’s Old North.

The renewal plans must account for Tel Aviv’s architectural heritage. The central areas are part of the “White City,” known for its Bauhaus architecture and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

As a result, the plans include preserving the distinctive architectural character of individual buildings and entire streets, along with public spaces, parks and gardens. Separate plans will address the preservation of historically significant buildings.

The project also includes spaces for day-care centers, kindergartens and cultural and community facilities to serve the young families expected to make up a significant share of future residents.

Public transportation is another key component of the plan. The framework incorporates the Light Rail’s Red Line, the planned Green and Purple Lines, and three future Metro stations.

"The plan encourages the creation of a diverse and affordable housing mix, strengthens existing commerce along the main streets, and introduces high-quality, active street frontages. The committee’s decision paves the way for responsible urban renewal, promoting modern urban development while carefully preserving the qualities and historic architectural charm of the city center," said Architect Erez Ben Eliezer, the Tel Aviv District Planner at the Planning Administration.

The additional housing, educational facilities, commercial space and community amenities come as Israel prepares for potential growth in immigration. Recent figures released by the Jewish Agency for Israel show a significant increase in the number of Jewish people taking concrete steps toward aliyah, or immigration to Israel.

According to a recent press release by the Jewish Agency, in 2025 “France saw a 31.5% increase in Aliyah file openings, the United States saw a 17.1% increase, Britain saw a 68% increase, Canada saw a 10.7% increase, Australia saw an 89.7% surge and South Africa saw a 14.3% increase.”

Jewish Agency Chairman Maj. Gen. (res.) Doron Almog said that “thousands of Jews from every corner of the world have chosen to take the big step and call Israel home,” describing aliyah as “a growth engine that contributes to strengthening the State of Israel.”