Posted on 09/11/24
Jerusalem, Israel - Sept. 10, 2024 - Jerusalem's real estate market is known for being competitive, with prices often out of reach for many who dream of living in the city. However, a new opportunity is emerging in Katamonim —one of Jerusalem’s oldest neighborhoods— that promises to offer spacious, high-standard apartments within a warm community, and at significantly lower prices than other American neighborhoods in the city.
The project, spearheaded by the Berger Group and marketed by brothers Meir and Chanan Sand, represents a unique approach to community living in Jerusalem. "We wanted to create a community where people can live near their friends and family, enjoy all the amenities they need, and still pay much less than other areas in the city," says Meir. Compared to other popular American neighborhoods such as Baka, Talbiya, and Ramat Eshkol, the Katamonim project offers a high quality of life at significantly lower prices.
The Berger Towers project, developed by the Berger Group, will emphasize community living, including a private shul, an events hall, and eventually, even a school under the leadership of Rabbi Shmuel Silber of Baltimore. The 2,300 square meter school will be American-style, modern-yeshivish in line with Rabbi Silber’s vision. "All in all, we aim to create a home community for families of olim, as well as a satellite community where people can come for holidays and eventually make Aliyah," says Meir.
 Chanan Sand, Rabbi Shmuel Silber, Avraham Berger, CEO of Berger Group, Yisroel Hershberg, VP of Berger Group, Meir Sand..jpeg?width=720&watermark=&hash=j6ejNLgk_-kHZWkFYRN143Lrfe1nLpfcp_RoPRJpM30)
(L to R) Chanan Sand, Rabbi Shmuel Silber, Avraham Berger, CEO of Berger Group, Yisroel Hershberg, VP of Berger Group, Meir Sand.
What makes this project even more attractive is its central location. The Katamonim neighborhood has been completely rezoned, allowing for the construction of several modern high-rise towers. In fact, over 40 towers are in various stages of construction, each offering apartments built to a high standard, thousands of square meters of retail space, and amenities such as gyms, pools, and spas—luxuries that have been missing from the area until now. The neighborhood is set to become a central transportation hub, with three different light rail lines converging nearby, offering easy access to all parts of the city. Major roads like Highway 16 and Begin Road further enhance its connectivity, while proximity to the Malcha shopping mall and the Arena sports center adds to its appeal.
The Sand brothers, who have extensive experience working with top developers and U.S. clients, have taken a different approach with this project. "Most projects come to the U.S. market when they are nearly all sold," explains Meir. "We did the opposite, first forming a group and then choosing the location and project that best suited our needs. This gave us the power to negotiate the best prices and terms, and to secure a neighborhood that meets the community’s needs." This strategic move has allowed the Sands to offer apartments with desirable features, such as sukkah balconies, at competitive prices. In fact, 25% of the units in the project have sukkah balconies, compared to just a handful in competing developments.
Despite not advertising the project until recently, word of mouth alone has resulted in over 100 apartments being sold. This speaks to the demand for affordable, well-connected housing in Jerusalem. Now, with the project open to more buyers, the Sands are seeing the value of their community-based approach.
You’re invited to meet the Sand brothers and Rabbi Silber in person at the upcoming Real Estate Event, coming to Baltimore on Tuesday Sept. 17. Events will also be held on Sunday Sept. 15 in the Five Towns and in New Jersey on Monday Sept. 16. The location of the events and other details will be provided upon registration. Reserve your place now so that you too can get the most updated information on how to make your Israel dream a reality! https://www.expoisrael2024.com/