After years of planning and delays, Givat Hamatos is finally taking shape as central Jerusalem’s newest neighborhood. This long-awaited development is transforming a once-neglected hilltop into a vibrant community – one that blends rich history with modern urban living.
Givat Hamatos, meaning “Airplane Hill,” was named in memory of pilot Dan Givon, who lost his life here in the 1967 Six-Day War. Nestled west of Derech Chevron in southern Jerusalem, between Gilo to the south and Talpiot to the north, the area is steeped in Jewish history. Archaeologists have uncovered buildings and artifacts dating back to the Second Temple period, which stood from 516 BCE to 70 CE.
For nearly 25 years after its liberation in 1967, Givat Hamatos remained vacant. In 1991, the site was repurposed to house Ethiopian immigrants who had been airlifted to Israel in Operation Solomon. Now, it is poised for a new chapter, evolving into a well-planned, thriving residential community.
The neighborhood will feature 2,600 new apartments, with an additional 2,400 units to be built along Derech Chevron. Just east of the road, in Amat Hamayim near Kibbutz Ramat Rachel, plans are underway for the development of another 5,000 homes. The 10,000-unit area will be Jerusalem’s first modern master-planned neighborhood, and will feature expansive parks, schools, community centers, synagogues, shopping centers, office spaces and even hotels. We are thrilled to watch this corner of Jerusalem roar back to life as a large and flourishing center of activity.
The new neighborhood will have excellent public transportation via the Light Rail’s Blue Line, which is under construction. The line will start in Gilo and have multiple stations along Derech Chevron. The trains will stop at a large station to be constructed next to the First Station, where the high-speed train to Tel Aviv will begin. The light rail will pass through the City Center, Har Hotzvim high-tech hub, and end in Ramot. Additionally, Derech Chevron’s extensive bus network offers easy access to all parts of Jerusalem and beyond, and a new road will connect Givat Hamatos directly to Begin Boulevard, providing a swift exit from the city.
We are honored to be involved in the beautifully designed Aderet Yerushalayim project. It is being built to extremely high technical specifications, featuring premium amenities, including underfloor heating pumps and VRF air conditioning systems.
The excitement surrounding Givat Hamatos brings us back to 2012, when we launched presales at Savyoney Arnona – a pioneering project at the southern tip of Arnona. Back then, the area was a quiet meadow, yet it quickly flourished into a sought-after community, attracting hundreds of Anglo families. Buyers who were once priced out of central Jerusalem found an opportunity to own a home at half the cost of luxury developments elsewhere in the city. Today, the same promise holds true for Givat Hamatos, where the apartments are selling at remarkably competitive prices, offering a rare chance to purchase in Jerusalem at outstanding value.
With its prime location, exceptional infrastructure, outstanding amenities, strong community appeal, and excellent affordability, Givat Hamatos is already drawing dozens of wonderful Anglo families. We are thrilled to be part of this exciting new chapter and look forward to seeing this neighborhood become one of Jerusalem’s next great success stories.
