Mordot Arnona
Mordot Arnona: Jerusalem’s New Neighborhood Reshaping the City’s South
Mordot Arnona (literally “the Arnona Slopes”) is one of the newest and most sought-after residential neighborhoods in southern Jerusalem, rising just east of the veteran Arnona neighborhood and bordering Kibbutz Ramat Rachel. The project was approved in February 2017, when Israel’s Ministry of Interior authorized the transfer of roughly 250 dunams (about 62 acres) of land from the Mateh Yehuda Regional Council and Kibbutz Ramat Rachel, and within less than a decade it has become one of the city’s most significant construction hubs.
How Many Housing Units Are Being Built in Mordot Arnona?
The original master plan called for approximately 1,850 housing units. In January 2021, Jerusalem’s district planning and building committee approved a further expansion on 15 dunams in the southeastern part of the neighborhood, adding 450 more apartments alongside public buildings, commercial space, and a park — bringing the total planned scope to roughly 2,000 housing units. As of today, about 1,659 units are under construction or in advanced planning stages, with roughly 10 active developers on site, and an additional 1,970 future units are included in already-approved plans. Most recently, two seven-story buildings above two levels of underground parking were approved, adding 44 more apartments under the government’s “Mechir LeMishtaken” (Buyer’s Price) affordable-housing program, developed by Boston Arnona Development Ltd. and designed by architect Alex Ostrovsky.
Apartment Prices in Mordot Arnona
Much of Mordot Arnona was built under the Israeli Ministry of Finance’s “Mechir LeMishtaken” program, which offers young couples apartments at prices significantly below market value. In 2023, apartments sold through the program averaged about NIS 23,000 per square meter, with 3-4 room units priced between roughly NIS 1.5 and 1.87 million. The investment has clearly paid off: free-market prices in the neighborhood climbed to about NIS 35,000 per square meter by early 2024 — a roughly 50% jump in just one year, handing many buyers a paper profit of over one million shekels.
Community Services and Infrastructure
Alongside residential units, the neighborhood plan includes public buildings, commercial areas, and a roughly 15-dunam municipal park, as well as two hotels planned as part of the area’s mixed-use development. Some units are also allocated to the “Dira LeHaskir” long-term rental program, broadening the neighborhood’s population mix. It’s worth noting that transportation access is still limited at this stage — there is currently no regular bus line serving the neighborhood, and it remains some distance from Jerusalem’s planned light rail network. That said, gradual completion of public infrastructure is expected to improve accessibility in the coming years.
Why Consider Buying in Mordot Arnona?
Mordot Arnona combines proximity to the well-established Arnona neighborhood, open views toward Ramat Rachel and Gush Etzion, and strong appreciation potential — as the sharp recent price increases clearly demonstrate. For young families and investors alike, it stands out as one of the more compelling opportunities in Jerusalem’s real estate market today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mordot Arnona
How many housing units are planned for the neighborhood?
Roughly 2,000 in total — 1,850 under the original master plan, plus a 450-unit expansion approved in 2021.
What’s the average apartment price in Mordot Arnona?
3-4 room apartments sold under the Mechir LeMishtaken program ranged from NIS 1.5 to 1.87 million; free-market prices reached about NIS 35,000 per square meter.
Is there public transportation to the neighborhood?
Not yet a regular one — there’s currently no fixed bus line, though infrastructure improvements are expected going forward.
Considering buying or selling in Mordot Arnona? The team at Amirim Real Estate Solutions is here to guide you through every step.
