Close to Central Israel, Far from the Crowds: Pardes Hanna Offers a Different Kind of Quality of Life
Alternative headline
Looking for a Better Quality of Life Outside Central Israel? Meet the New Pardes Hanna
Food, community, green open spaces and a wave of renewal: Pardes Hanna is no longer a niche destination, but a magnet for people seeking a better quality of life beyond central Israel. Now, the new Derech LaMerhav residential development brings together the town’s distinctive character and premium-standard contemporary construction.
In recent years, more and more people have come to understand that choosing a home is about far more than the number of bedrooms or the size of the balcony. They are looking for a complete living environment: a place with community, culture, food, education and open spaces, together with convenient access to major centres of work and everyday life.
Pardes Hanna brings all of these elements together. On one hand, it has retained the green, community-focused local character that made it so desirable. On the other, it is undergoing significant development, renewal and new construction, attracting young residents and families in search of a high-quality alternative to the density and prices of central Israel.
The change is especially visible around Derech LaMerhav, where a new urban-renewal development is planned. Combining contemporary homes, forward-looking design and a high standard of construction, it will rise in the heart of one of Pardes Hanna’s most sought-after and rapidly evolving areas.
Not a Big City-But Far from a Sleepy Town
In recent years, Pardes Hanna has developed an identity that is difficult to find elsewhere. It is neither a large, crowded city nor a quiet town where everything closes early. Instead, it offers a distinctive combination of relaxed local atmosphere, contemporary culture, entrepreneurship, art, community life and a culinary scene that has earned a reputation of its own.
Local cafés, excellent restaurants, markets, events, authentic places to meet and spend time, and venues that have become part of the area’s new character all contribute to its appeal. Alongside long-standing residents, the town is welcoming young people, couples and families looking for a different pace of life—without giving up culture, creativity or a sense of community.
“We see Pardes Hanna as a rare combination of belonging and authentic local character, together with real development,” says attorney Yosef Weisel, a partner in the Barel Properties Group and one of the figures behind the project’s initiation and advancement. “People who come here are not simply looking for a new apartment. They are looking for a place where they can build a life, raise a family and feel part of a community.”
That demographic shift is already visible. A younger, high-calibre population is joining the community, new businesses are opening, public spaces are developing, and new construction and urban-renewal projects are moving forward in parallel.
An Established Neighbourhood Enters a New Era
The Derech LaMerhav area is now at a compelling turning point. Its location, existing character and planned renewal make it an interesting option for buyers who want a new apartment in Pardes Hanna—and the opportunity to become part of a residential environment on a growth trajectory.
As part of the first urban-renewal project of its kind in the town, 28 existing homes are expected to be demolished and replaced by 124 new apartments in two 16-storey buildings above commercial space. The mix will include smaller apartments, making the development well suited to young couples, families at the beginning of their journey and buyers seeking a new, thoughtfully designed home with modern protection standards.
The project introduces a new approach to living in the area: contemporary buildings, a high-quality specification, protected safe rooms, new infrastructure, carefully planned communal spaces and a residential setting that combines urban convenience with the atmosphere for which Pardes Hanna is known.
“When we began advancing the initiative, we did not see only ageing buildings in need of renewal. We saw people who needed—and deserved—the opportunity to live in a better, safer and higher-quality environment,” Weisel says. “The vision was to connect the character of Pardes Hanna with current standards of planning and construction, and to create a development that would have a positive impact on both its residents and the wider area.”
Own a home in a place that offers quality of life today—and potential for tomorrow.
More Than a New Home: Safety, Design and Construction Quality
Life in Israel has made construction quality, protection and structural resilience central considerations in the decision to buy a home. For many buyers, a protected safe room and modern infrastructure are no longer optional extras—they are basic requirements.
A new development offers planning that reflects the way people live today: well-proportioned spaces, advanced systems, accessibility, lifts, parking, balconies and communal areas conceived as an integral part of the residential experience.
Appearance, finishing materials and the feeling created from the moment one enters the building matter too. Derech LaMerhav is being planned to a premium standard, with the aim of delivering a carefully considered living experience both inside the apartments and across the development as a whole.
The architectural scheme was prepared by Canaan Shenhav Architects in collaboration with Bama Architects, while Grofit was selected through a tender process as the developer responsible for delivery. According to a report published by the Migdalim website, approximately 10% of the apartments were sold in the first month of marketing—a figure that reflects the level of interest in both the area and the development.
A Development Rooted in Deep Local Knowledge
The project is the result of a lengthy process that began more than a decade ago. Established in 1999 and led by attorney Yosef Weisel and Amir Bramli, Barel Properties Group joined forces with an urban-renewal company and became a partner in initiating and advancing the project from the outset. Its involvement extended from selecting the site and securing the homeowners’ participation to assembling the professional teams and partners, advancing the planning scheme and bringing the development to the delivery stage.
The journey involved working with homeowners, planning bodies and the local authority; navigating changes and objections; and promoting the statutory planning scheme required to move the project forward. Today, after years of planning and sustained effort, the existing homeowners have received relocation notices and the development is moving towards construction.
“Genuine urban renewal requires far more than a strong architectural plan,” Weisel emphasises. “It takes trust, persistence and a deep understanding of both the people and the place. We supported this initiative over many years because we believed it offered an opportunity to create meaningful change for the existing homeowners and for the next generation that will live in the neighbourhood.”
Barel Properties, which helped initiate and advance the project and is now marketing its new apartments, brings decades of experience in real estate and extensive knowledge of the region. For the company, the sales process does not end with choosing an apartment. It begins with understanding each buyer’s needs and matching the home and its surroundings to the lifestyle they want to create.
Would You Like to Discover the Development and See Which Apartments Are Still Available?
Barel Properties invites prospective buyers to learn more about the Derech LaMerhav development, explore the apartment mix, specification and design, and find out whether their next home awaits in the renewing Pardes Hanna.