Entrepreneur builder David Turgeman, Manager of "Ahuzat Yonatan" in the Yad Binyamin community told Arutz Sheva - Israel National News about the real estate-social venture named after his son Yonatan Mendel Turgeman, a project intended for individuals 55 years of age and above who wish to open a new chapter of their lives after retirement.
The estate features 10 buildings and two others will be added later, says Turgeman. A long, beautiful boulevard with trees and plants on both sides of a well-kept path snakes its way around the structures, and a road wraps around the estate and connects it to the rest of the community by way of two entrances featuring electric gates, and a commercial building that includes a minimarket, a hall/restaurant, office parking, a synagogue, and gym.
All this covers approximately 24 dunams, the buildings are four stories high, and feature Shabbat elevators. You can choose an apartment that's two, three, or four-rooms large. The estate is surrounded by security cameras, ensuring the tenants' peace of mind.
"The units are large and spacious, offering tenants maximum accessibility," says Turgeman and emphasizes that the plan is to, "build a quality community that comes from all the tribes of Israel from around the country and abroad." "We already have couples from the UK, the US, the Netherlands, and South Africa," he notes.
Ahuzat Yonatan is modeled on American condo projects whose main purpose is to provide an opportunity for middle-aged couples hoping to open a new chapter in their lives in preparation for - or after - retirement.
Join the exclusive "Ahuzat Yonatan" project for individuals aged 55 and above in Yad Binyamin
"We see the joy of life returning to people who move here," says Turgeman. "They become invigorated, happy, and start flourishing again. It's amazing to see the process play out. For me, it's not just a real estate business, but a social-community project that we're building," he says and notes the added value of new Olim coming to Israel - another key aspect of the project.
Residents of the estate participate in an array of daily activities sponsored by the city of Yad Binyamin, including classes at the community center, Torah classes for men and women, a pool, sports events, a cultural center, a club, and more.
Turgeman explains the difference between his project and the accepted model of subsidized housing for the elderly in Israel. It turns out that while the tenants in the regular system deposit an amount of about 1.5-2.5 million NIS which is reduced by about 3.5% a year for 12 years in addition to maintenance fees in an amount ranging from 6 to 15 thousand NIS a month, Ahuzat Yonatan offers a completely different model.
"Here we sell the apartment to the owner who pays a holding fee of about 1,000 NIS a month to a type of housing committee which includes gardening, maintenance, cleaning, lighting, a synagogue, etc. We offer an apartment at a reasonable cost with low maintenance fees at a level that anyone can afford."
David mentions the support his company affords its clients. "We are really becoming one big family," he points out..
Join the exclusive "Ahuzat Yonatan" project for individuals aged 55 and above in Yad Binyamin