The Stuart Weitzman Tennis Complex is a transformative sports and community project located at the heart of Jerusalem’s evolving Sports District. Designed by HQ Architects in collaboration with the Israel Tennis Association, the project re-imagines a longstanding educational and athletic campus located on the grounds of the Ben B. & Joyce E. Eisenberg Israel Tennis & Education Center into a contemporary, year-round sports facility that meets international standards while strengthening its relationship with the city.
The 7,777 m² complex combines multiple sports and support programs into a compact, efficient two-story building. The sports facility features six tennis courts on the upper level, four of them covered - a first for the city - enabling uninterrupted play throughout all seasons and allowing games and tournaments to take place even during rainy winters and hot summer periods. The building’s natural ventilation systems maintain optimal indoor climate conditions for both players and spectators.
The Complex’s curved exterior wall features a slim, slatted aluminum system that allows natural light and air to enter while protecting from rain and keeping the interior shaded. Upper ventilation openings release warm air, creating a comfortable sports environment. Most indoor courts feature spectator galleries above, offering clear views of the games. The enhanced indoor–outdoor connectivity, enabled by a breathing and visually porous façade, ensures the center functions year-round while inviting the city in.
While tennis remains the centrepiece of the project, the brief deliberately expanded beyond a single-sport facility. The 4,250 m² ground floor is dedicated to sports beyond tennis and includes a gym, 1,240 m² of squash courts and judo facilities, athlete accommodations, sports clinics, and flexible training spaces, creating a holistic recreational environment suitable for both training and community engagement. This multi-layered program encourages use throughout the day by people of different ages and backgrounds.
As part of a broader urban vision, the previously enclosed site is now open to the public, removing existing barriers and re-integrating the facility into the surrounding urban context. The new Stuart Weitzman Tennis Complex directly faces a future Light Rail station and incorporates a new commercial front featuring shops and cafes with 1,150 m² of retail space, enhancing street-level activity and ensuring seamless access for the public.
With its upgraded and versatile facilities, the new Stuart Weitzman Tennis Complex stands as a landmark for Jerusalem’s expanding sports landscape and a proud symbol of the city’s commitment to accessibility, excellence, and sustainable development. Together with the completion of the Green Line, the complex enhances the site’s appeal, aiming to attract thousands of visitors throughout the year, becoming a new urban destination for Jerusalem.