Jerusalem has, in recent years, become more than just Israel’s historic and spiritual capital - it is rapidly emerging as the new luxury arena of the local real estate market. The city’s traditional skyline is changing before our eyes, with a growing number of residential towers at various stages of planning and development. A city that for decades was characterized by low-rise, conservative construction is now reaching new heights, with 30-story and taller towers being built and planned across the landscape.
The goal is clear: To attract a strong population, including international residents, while retaining existing residents, continuing to build and develop the city, and transforming Jerusalem into a capital city with an international residential standard comparable to leading global cities such as Miami, London, New York, Paris, and Dubai.
As a result, an increasing number of leading real estate developers in Israel are identifying Jerusalem as a strategic destination, launching projects that seek to redefine the luxury living experience in the country. Demand, it seems, is already here. In recent years, Jerusalem has become one of Israel’s most sought-after destinations for international buyers, particularly among Jewish communities in the United States, France, and the United Kingdom, who view the city as a rare combination of emotional value, stability, and long-term real estate investment.
Many of these international buyers are affluent individuals seeking quality of life, security, and a property in Jerusalem - a city of both national and international significance. They are willing to invest in a property that embodies Jewish identity, prestige, an excellent location, and, above all, a comprehensive and high-quality living experience with maximum convenience. This trend is further reinforced by a growing number of Jews from around the world purchasing homes in Israel in general, and Jerusalem in particular, in light of the global changes witnessed over the past two and a half years since October 7, 2023.
This is precisely the vision behind the "Forest" project, which is now getting underway. Combining world-class architectural planning, exceptional resident amenities, a comprehensive facilities package, and uncompromising investment with a commitment to excellence, the project has earned the designation of a true ultra-luxury development. It also benefits from a prime location, classic mixed-use planning, and strong integration with its surrounding environment and local community.
The "Forest" project is being built in the “Kiryat HaYovel” neighborhood in western Jerusalem, a rapidly renewing area characterized by a young population. The neighborhood offers high-quality community services, leading schools, and excellent transportation accessibility. Adjacent to the project is a station on the Jerusalem Light Rail’s Red Line, providing access to the city center in approximately ten minutes, as well as convenient proximity to the high-speed Israel Rail station connecting Jerusalem with Ben Gurion Airport and Tel Aviv. In addition, an extensive network of urban and intercity roads ensures easy and efficient access by car.
The project aims to set a new benchmark for quality, luxury, and planning within the real estate landscape. It features a mixed-use concept that includes residential units, exclusive retail, dedicated workspaces for residents, and public spaces - all planned to the highest standards and supported by significant investment.
This mixed-use approach will allow residents to carry out nearly all aspects of their daily lives without leaving the complex. They will live in luxury apartments overlooking Jerusalem’s unique scenery, the Jerusalem Forest, and the Ein Kerem Valley. Residents will enjoy cafés within the entertainment district, dine at chef-driven restaurants, relax in the wellness center, work out in the fitness facility, shop at boutique stores, and even work from the shared office spaces located within the development.
The project includes a 30-story tower featuring 150 luxury residences spread across 26 residential floors, built above a four-story podium containing cafés, chef restaurants, a workspace complex, and public cultural and leisure facilities developed in cooperation with the municipality. Tower residents will enjoy a dedicated private lobby, from which transparent glass elevators will take them directly to the residential floors.
In a particularly unique move, the developer has allocated approximately 1,200 square meters for an exclusive residents’ Amenities complex featuring a Wellness and Longevity Center. The complex will include a luxury spa, indoor swimming pool, private fitness center, residents’ lounge, synagogue, seating areas, and shared spaces. Located on the tower’s fourth floor, the complex will allow residents to work out, swim, or enjoy spa treatments while overlooking the breathtaking Jerusalem Forest below. The tower will also feature six levels of underground parking, while an underground connection will link the building directly to the local JCC community center, Philip Leon. Such planning creates a vibrant, active living environment that remains deeply connected to its surroundings.
The project’s location is highly strategic, ensuring unobstructed panoramic views in every direction while providing a sense of tranquility and serenity. It is situated along the ridge above Ein Kerem, on the Henrietta Szold corridor and the renovated Park HaEtz, one of Jerusalem’s largest urban metropolitan parks. The park is currently undergoing a major upgrade by the Jerusalem Municipality and KKL-JNF, with an investment of approximately NIS 80 million. Once completed, it will offer a continuous walking route stretching all the way to the Biblical Zoo and onward to the Jerusalem Forest.
The project is surrounded by abundant green spaces, including Park HaEtz, Jerusalem Park, the Jerusalem Forest, and the village of Ein Kerem. The location is just a short distance from Jerusalem’s city center and its leading tourism and entertainment districts, while also benefiting from immediate access to the light rail route.
The project was designed by one of Israel’s leading architectural firms specializing in luxury residential developments - Yashar Architects, headed by Avner Yashar. Interior design, as well as the planning of the public and shared spaces, is led by architect Dana Oberson, widely regarded as a leader in her field.
A Community Within a Community
"It was important for us to create a genuine community within the complex, as this aligns with the company’s vision," says Amnon Merhav, CEO of LEVEL ONE. "We designed a project that fosters rich and supportive community life while maintaining strong connections to the urban fabric and Jerusalem’s unique communal culture. The community within a community that we have created represents significant added value for homeowners. It establishes emotional and social connections within the living environment and gives residents a sense of belonging to something larger. This is particularly meaningful for Jews making Aliyah, as well as for those who spend several periods each year in Israel. In line with our vision, we are creating a place to live - not merely a tower."
"The Jerusalem Municipality strongly encourages the city’s growth and development. It immediately recognized the benefits this project brings to Jerusalem, including its public and social contributions. The municipality appreciated the project’s quality, excellence, and community-oriented approach, providing us with substantial support and an exceptionally efficient approval process. For both the company and myself personally, it is a great privilege to participate in the development of Jerusalem, a field in which I have been involved for two decades. We often speak about the need to keep Jerusalem united and strong, and projects like this are one of the ways to achieve that," Merhav concludes.
LEVEL ONE specializes in developing luxury residential towers in Jerusalem. Its projects are characterized by iconic yet harmonious architecture that integrates thoughtfully with the surrounding environment and urban fabric, significant developer investment, a diverse residential mix, and a commitment to strengthening ties with local communities and neighborhoods. The company’s CEO, Amnon Merhav, previously served as Director General of the Jerusalem Municipality and possesses extensive knowledge of the city and its planning processes. He also served as Director General of the Israel Builders Association and Director General of the Economy and Industry Ministry. The company is backed by the Leviev Group, which has developed tens of thousands of residential units in Israel, Europe, and Dubai, and enjoys considerable financial stability and strength.
The "Forest" project joins another flagship Jerusalem development by LEVEL ONE - the Ein Karem Tower, often referred to as the "Jerusalem Burj Khalifa." Designed by the Chicago-based architectural firm AS+GG, led by Adrian Smith and Gordon Gil, the architects behind some of the world’s most iconic skyscrapers, including the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the tower will rise to 42 stories and include 30,000 square meters of residential space, 11,500 square meters of hotel accommodations, 4,000 square meters dedicated to a municipal cultural center, and extensive open public spaces for community benefit.
This article was written in cooperation with LEVEL ONE