[soupalmonds]

As of May 31, lot of digging is taking place, and not just of the tunnel, but as part of the on-site preparation for base construction.

 

[soupalmonds]

5/6/16 - Foundation work has just begun.

 

[soupalmonds]

On the contrary, the site is quite active with construction workers.
Currently building the underground service entrance that unlike regular parking floor or tunnel should also accommodated big containers and heavy cargo trucks.

 

[soupalmonds]

Stage A is nearly completed and shall be handed to the ILA in a matter of two or three weeks.

the second foundation stage is underway.

 

[soupalmonds]

Below the underground connection they plan to build a heigh-chilling banquet hall of 6.20m and underneath the hall 3 levels of underground parking lot. In short, they still have got a lot of soil to get rid off...

 

[soupalmonds]

Wow.
We are talking at least 20 more meters down.
They are going to reach beyond groundwater level.
This is going to take a while.
But why?
Why would anyone want to hold events in an underground hall 15 meters below surface?

If am reading the plan correctly I would say approx. 7 meters down.
And yes, they're likely to reach beyond the groundwater level; this is what the pipes on top of the piling walls are used for.

Personally I hate underground halls
(invokes a chilling experience at the TLV InterContinental)

 

[soupalmonds]

The second foundation phase has just been implemented with all ground stuff been trucked away. And of course, another mound of soil is awaiting to be removed from the site.

 

[soupalmonds]

Wholeheartedly agree with the concerns regarding Nitsba. Construction progress of every protect the company involved is notoriously slow. It seems the developer and owner is channeling funds/cash from the firm to his pocket, otherwise its hard to reason why such a company with well diversified portfolio of properties either in Israel and abroad having some difficulties to meet its commitments.

 

[soupalmonds]

The couple behind Nitsba (Tsoof&Mimon) are well regarded corporate raiders. Their measures is first to downsizing the day-to-day operation and then liquidating the company's assets. Thus, it may only be a matter of time when they will start winding up their entire portfolio.

 

[soupalmonds]

At this time I believe, the second foundation phase is really taken forward.

Digging is in full swing, lots of trucks are coming and going.


Foundation equipments were brought in as well piles of reinforced nets.

 

[soupalmonds]

1. Second foundation stage is now ongoing on the western and southern fronts.

2. At the third stage they will dig even deeper (~ 4.5 - 5.5m).
See photos from the neighboring site, the Azrieli Sarona:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=107217705&postcount=47

4 months later:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=110942197&postcount=93

8 months later:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=113889309&postcount=132

 

[soupalmonds]

Lot of jet grouting...drilling deep through hard soil.

The below pic is not of groundwater. In order to create silcrete column high pressure liquids injected through the drilling tool.The water contains certain substances which retain the columns and also to prevent groundwater filtering (to the columns).

 

[soupalmonds]

Isn't it bentonite?

Dead on !

 

[soupalmonds]

 

[soupalmonds]

Concrete is poured into the form of the core

 

[soupalmonds]

sooooooooooooo slowly...

The developer has finally seen the light.
Starting of next week Geo Danya leaves the site and Ariel Gabbay will take duty of drilling and the infrastructure works. Hope things will now run smoothly.

 

[soupalmonds]

http://www.nitsba.com/en/assets/sarona-project/?map_name=Sarona+Hotel

 

[soupalmonds]

Foundation is being constructed at a slow pace and shall remain so untill the developer can transfer part of the risk for more certainty to a large hotel group (Hyatt, Accor, Carlson Rezidor, etc.).

 

[soupalmonds]

Seems the developers disagree with you view

Firstly, there is ample of underground parking space in the vicinity.

Secondly, the ROI on such a project is not beneficial as building a parking lot from ground and above. The costs of building underground parking is nearly half a dozen more.

 

[soupalmonds]

It's part of their obligation to the ILA & TLV muni to build the tunnel AND the parking lot