Built 1935-1945 by Oskar Kaufmann (who supervised the works only until ca. 1938). Finished by Eugen Stolzer. Opened 30 September 1945. 1958 completion of façade and alterations by Ran Jarnu and Zvu Nekter. 1967 major rebuilding by D. Mayo and I. Landau. Of Kaufman's original designs, hardly anything survives. The complex contains a large theatre hall and two smaller halls (total capacity: 1520 seats).

Home to the "Habimah" ("The Stage") theatre company, the first theatre company performing drama in Hebrew. The company was founded at Moscow in 1917 and moved permanently to Tel Aviv in 1931. The company performs traditional plays on Jewish themes, works of contemporary Israeli playwrights and translations of international classics, dramas and comedies.

Notable world premieres:

• Ephraim Kishon: How know Julia (1974)
• Joshua Sobol: Adam (July 1989)

Link: www.habima.org.il