Nof HaGalil New Apartment Sales Jump 15% in Q1 2026 Amid Urban Renewal
New apartment sales in Nof HaGalil rose 15% in Q1 2026, reaching 60 free-market units, according to CBS data. Urban renewal projects and infrastructure investments drive local market growth.
New apartment sales in the free market of Nof HaGalil rose by approximately 15% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year, according to data from the Central Bureau of Statistics. During this period, 60 new free-market apartments were sold in the city, up from 52 units in the first quarter of 2025. This growth is attributed to expanded residential construction, urban renewal projects, and ongoing investments in local infrastructure and transportation.
Data from the CBS highlights a significant long-term increase in the share of new apartments within the local housing market. While new apartments accounted for roughly 5% of all homes sold in Nof HaGalil back in 2019, that proportion climbed to 16% in 2023, 41% in 2024, and 52% in 2025. Furthermore, sales in the first quarter of 2026 marked an 11% increase over the final quarter of 2025, when 54 new apartments were sold.
Looking at the broader annual picture, 545 new apartments were sold in the city over the past year, representing a 40% jump from the 389 units sold in 2024. Nevertheless, approximately 64% of those 2025 sales took place under government-subsidized housing programs, meaning the overall surge does not entirely reflect the independent performance of the free market.
Alongside new construction, Nof HaGalil is advancing infrastructure upgrades and urban renewal, including the upcoming "Nofit" light rail project designed to connect the city to the Haifa metropolitan area. The city also offers residential tax benefits and actively develops employment hubs and public services to attract residents.
One of the most active developers in the city is the Barel Group, which is advancing two major residential complexes. The company reports selling 140 apartments across its local projects over the past four months, reaching a total sales volume of approximately 278 million shekels. Buyers include regional housing upgraders and real estate investors alike.
Among the flagship developments is the "Noga" project on Tirosh Street, noted as the first entrepreneur-led urban renewal initiative approved in Israel's Northern District. The project will replace 120 older apartments with 778 modern units spread across seven residential towers. Located near the planned light rail route and the "Nofark" urban park, the complex will feature daycares, kindergartens, a synagogue, a multipurpose community building, sports facilities, and green spaces alongside upgraded infrastructure.
Construction is planned in two phases, with the building permit for the first phase expected to be issued in the coming weeks. Simultaneously, the company is finalizing an 8 million shekel visitors center scheduled to open in December, featuring a rooftop observation deck overlooking Mount Tabor. The facility is ultimately destined to serve as a public municipal building once sales conclude.
Dadi Azulay, VP of Marketing at the Barel Group, commented:
"Nof HaGalil is transitioning from older construction to urban renewal and modern neighborhoods, mirroring trends seen in central Israel. We are seeing strong demand from local upgraders and investors seeking new apartments backed by robust public infrastructure, green spaces, and transport accessibility."
He added that the combination of municipal development, the planned light rail, competitive pricing, and local tax incentives helps explain the heightened market activity in recent months.
