There are places that look beautiful in brochures. And then there are places that look so beautiful in brochures that you immediately assume the pictures were generated by artificial intelligence. SEA ONE is one of those places. Except, here's the surprise: It's real. The sea really is that blue, the balconies really do overlook the Mediterranean, the furniture really is that comfortable, and yes, you really can live there.
I recently visited SEA ONE, the new luxury living resort for adults aged 60 and over on the beachfront of Rishon LeZion, and walked away with one overwhelming thought: If this is what growing older looks like, perhaps we've been thinking about retirement all wrong. Because SEA ONE doesn't feel like a retirement community. It feels like a five-star boutique hotel, an upscale residential building, a wellness retreat and a private members' club all decided to move in together. And somehow, it works. The only catch? You have to be at least 60. And these days, 60 is hardly old.
Gallery
An aerial view of SEA ONE, the luxury residential complex for adults aged 60 and over on Rishon LeZion's beachfront
(Photo: Oranim Group)
Sixty is the new... whatever you want it to be
Let's talk about that number for a moment. At 60, many people are still working, running businesses, traveling, exercising, falling in love, starting new ventures and wondering how they ever managed to raise children while doing everything else. The kids may have moved out, the house may suddenly feel too big, the garden needs attention, and perhaps the idea of spending weekends fixing things has lost some of its charm. But does that mean you're ready to retire? Not necessarily. And that's precisely what makes SEA ONE interesting.
Developed by the Oranim Group, SEA ONE introduces what it calls a "Living Resort" concept: a residential environment designed for people aged 60 and over who want to remain active, independent, curious and engaged, while enjoying the comforts and services of a luxury resort. The project, built at a reported investment of approximately NIS 1 billion, has officially opened and begun welcoming residents. Located roughly 100 meters from the Mediterranean shoreline, it includes 270 apartments across two buildings of seven and eight stories.
A landscaped patio with outdoor seating connects SEA ONE's residential buildings and recreational areas
(Photo: Eran Turgeman)
Unlike most beachfront real estate, where the primary question is whether you can afford the view, here there's another requirement: You need to have celebrated your 60th birthday. It's an interesting reversal. A prime beachfront location reserved not for the youngest and trendiest buyers, but for people who have reached a stage in life when they might finally have the time to enjoy it.
The concept is particularly appealing to people who are still mobile, independent and eager to take advantage of everything life has to offer, while knowing that the environment around them has also been designed with the years ahead in mind. In other words, you don't have to wait until you need help to move somewhere that makes life easier.
A home that feels like a hotel, without feeling like a hotel
One of the things that impressed me most was the attention to detail inside the apartments. Beautiful design is one thing. Beautiful design that actually understands how people live is something else entirely. The apartments are elegant, modern and exceptionally well thought out, with spacious, comfortable beds, soft couches you actually want to sink into, high-quality cabinetry, thoughtfully designed kitchens and balconies overlooking the sea.
SEA ONE's entrance lounge combines contemporary furnishings, natural light and greenery in a hotel-inspired residential setting
(Photo: Eran Turgeman)
And those balconies deserve a moment of appreciation. Imagine beginning your morning with coffee, the Mediterranean stretching out in front of you, and absolutely no urgency to be anywhere. Unless, of course, you have a meeting, a yoga class, lunch with friends or simply feel like going downstairs to the beach. The kitchens are fully equipped for people who love cooking, but here's the beauty of it: You can cook if you want to. You don't have to. That distinction seems to define the entire philosophy of SEA ONE.
You can entertain family and friends in your own beautifully designed home, have the grandchildren over, enjoy a quiet evening in front of the television or walk downstairs and find something happening. It's your home, your schedule and your choice. The apartments also incorporate practical features for aging comfortably, including emergency call buttons and other safety considerations. They're the kinds of details you hope you won't need anytime soon, but appreciate knowing are there.
And then there's the part that might be most appealing of all: You don't have to worry about maintaining everything yourself. With reception, security, cleaning services, parking and the kind of day-to-day support associated with high-end hospitality, SEA ONE offers the convenience of hotel living without sacrificing the privacy and familiarity of home. You have your own front door, your own belongings and your own life, just considerably fewer headaches.
Retirement? Who said anything about stopping work?
Perhaps my favorite surprise was discovering how seriously SEA ONE takes the idea that people over 60 might still want to work. Not occasionally check their emails between massages. Actually work. There are executive-style meeting rooms, dedicated workspaces and facilities designed for residents who continue to manage businesses, consult, create, collaborate or simply aren't interested in putting their professional lives behind them.
SEA ONE's business lounge features an extensive library, workspaces and access to meeting rooms for residents who remain professionally active
(Photo: Eran Turgeman)
And why should they? For someone who has spent decades building a career, professional identity doesn't suddenly disappear because of a birthday. In fact, this might be the perfect time to launch something new. Imagine finishing a business meeting, closing your laptop and walking a few minutes to the Mediterranean for an afternoon swim. It's the kind of work-life balance people spend their entire careers trying to achieve, and at SEA ONE, the infrastructure is there to make it possible.
A wellness floor that could make your gym membership jealous
Now, this is where things become particularly tempting. An entire floor is dedicated to wellness, health and personal care, with yoga and Pilates, a fully equipped gym, beauty treatments, a salon, massages and spaces designed to keep residents moving, feeling good and taking care of themselves. There is also an indoor swimming pool, a rooftop pool overlooking the sea and a spa. But what impressed me wasn't simply the number of facilities. It was the philosophy behind them.
The wellness complex at SEA ONE offers a tranquil setting for relaxation and personal care
(Photo: Eran Turgeman)
Wellness here isn't presented as something you do occasionally, when you find the time. It's woven into everyday life. Exercise, movement, personal care and preventive health become easier when everything is a short elevator ride away. Medical needs have also been considered, with access to healthcare support regardless of which Israeli health maintenance organization, or kupat holim, a resident belongs to. That matters, because as we get older, even when we're healthy and active, knowing that medical support is accessible provides an additional layer of comfort.
And perhaps the greatest luxury isn't the rooftop pool or the massage room. It's the possibility of staying stronger, healthier and more independent for longer.
A library, art everywhere and absolutely no excuse to be bored
Another thing that struck me during my visit was how much thought had gone into creating an atmosphere that feels genuinely residential. There is beautiful art throughout the property, not the generic decorations you sometimes find in hotels, but artwork that gives the spaces character, warmth and personality. There is also a large library, inviting seating areas and thoughtfully designed communal spaces. The developers explained that the intention was to create somewhere that felt like home. And it does. A very beautiful home, admittedly, one with a rather impressive list of amenities, but still, a home.
Floor-to-ceiling glass walls and warm wooden finishes define one of SEA ONE's communal lounges
(Photo: Rahav Media)
A quiet seating area at SEA ONE features woven artworks by artist Barak Rotem, reflecting the complex's emphasis on art and interior design
(Photo: Rahav Media)
Beyond the physical spaces, residents have access to a program of cultural activities, educational classes, lectures and opportunities to explore different subjects throughout the week. And I love that, because staying healthy isn't only about keeping your body moving. It's about keeping your mind curious, learning something new, having interesting conversations, meeting people who challenge your thinking and discovering a passion you never had time for when life revolved around work, children and responsibilities. The idea that your mind should never really retire is an important part of what makes this concept so appealing.
There's also a dedicated gaming room for visiting grandchildren, which may be one of the smartest features in the entire building. The grandchildren can play, have fun and enjoy themselves, while their grandparents can take a well-deserved break, possibly even an afternoon nap. Now that's what I call thoughtful design.
And then you walk outside...
As impressive as the building is, its greatest feature may be something the developers didn't have to build: the Mediterranean Sea. SEA ONE sits beside Rishon LeZion's developing beachfront promenade, with the beach, restaurants, outdoor activities and lively public spaces just steps away. There is something wonderful about being able to leave your apartment and immediately feel part of a vibrant city, with people walking, families gathering, restaurants buzzing and events taking place along the beachfront.
Residents and guests gather for a rooftop event overlooking the Mediterranean Sea at SEA ONE in Rishon LeZion
(Photo: Oranim Group)
You're not isolated from the world. You're right in the middle of it. And that's an important distinction, because many people associate retirement communities with separation, as though growing older means gradually stepping away from the rhythm of ordinary life. SEA ONE seems determined to do the opposite, placing residents in a lively beachfront environment, with the freedom to participate as much or as little as they choose.
The project also includes SEA ONE BEACH, a commercial and culinary complex of approximately 5,000 square meters at ground level. Developed with an investment of around NIS 250 million, the complex is expected to feature restaurants, cafés and retail businesses, including Club Social, JOYA, Roladin, Otello, REBAR, McDonald's and others. According to the developers, approximately 70% of the commercial space has already been marketed, with negotiations underway for the remaining areas.
SEA ONE's rooftop swimming pool overlooks Rishon LeZion's beach, with the Mediterranean just beyond the residential complex
(Photo: Eran Turgeman)
For residents, this means an expanding selection of dining and shopping options practically downstairs. Need a coffee? Take the elevator. Meeting a friend for lunch? No need to get into the car. Want ice cream with the grandchildren? You know where to go. It's convenience, but with a beachfront lifestyle attached.
What about the price?
Now comes the question everyone is probably asking. Surely all of this must cost a fortune? I expected to hear numbers that would make me politely smile, nod and immediately return to reality. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised. Based on the pricing presented during my visit, the options seemed considerably more attainable than I had imagined for a beachfront property offering this level of design, amenities and service.
A sea-facing swimming pool at SEA ONE offers residents sweeping Mediterranean views and poolside relaxation
(Photo: Ofir Lavi)
Some might even consider the pricing competitive within the luxury retirement-living market. To be clear, I haven't conducted a comprehensive comparison with other retirement communities or examined all the financial arrangements, service fees and contractual details, so this isn't a formal assessment of value. But my personal impression was that the pricing was surprisingly reasonable for what was being offered, and potentially within reach of more people than the luxury branding might suggest.
Of course, affordability is personal, and prospective residents should carefully examine the full financial commitment. Still, it challenged my assumption that this kind of lifestyle must automatically be reserved for the ultrawealthy.
An interesting option for people considering aliyah
For those considering making aliyah later in life, SEA ONE presents another possibility: relocating to Israel without necessarily giving up the standard of living they have become accustomed to abroad.
SEA ONE's indoor swimming pool overlooks a landscaped patio, providing residents with a year-round recreational facility
(Photo: Eran Turgeman)
Someone moving from London, Toronto, New York or Paris may be looking for proximity to family, a connection to Israel and a new social environment, but may also be reluctant to take on the challenges of maintaining a property in an unfamiliar country. The combination of residential services, communal facilities and an established living environment could make that transition easier.
Security is also an important consideration. The apartments include a reinforced safe room, or mamad, designed as the bedroom, integrating a protected space into everyday living rather than treating it as a separate utility room. It's a practical design decision that reflects the realities of living in Israel, where safety and comfort both matter.
A different way to think about growing older
"Opening SEA ONE and beginning occupancy are significant moments for us, and above all, an opportunity to see a vision that has taken shape over many years become a real living environment," said Shira Oren Nahmias, the project's entrepreneur and deputy CEO of Oranim Group. "We wanted to create much more than a place to live — a living environment that connects the home, the sea, community, culture and leisure, allowing residents to enjoy freedom and a different level of quality of life."
SEA ONE's auditorium and private cinema provide space for lectures, performances, screenings and community events
(Photo: Eran Turgeman)
She added that the company was proud to contribute to the renewal of Rishon LeZion's coastline and its development into a vibrant urban destination. Oranim Group, founded by Menachem Oren, has been involved in several prominent coastal real estate projects, including the Royal Beach Hotel in Tel Aviv, Sea Twins and Pearl of the Sea in Tel Aviv, and Gali Sapir in Herzliya Pituach. Its wholly owned subsidiary, Oranim Al Hayam, also recently completed a NIS 600 million bond issuance on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, with proceeds intended primarily to refinance bank debt.
But beyond the investment figures, architectural planning and commercial ambitions, what stayed with me after visiting SEA ONE was something much simpler: the feeling that growing older doesn't necessarily have to mean slowing down.
Maybe 60 is exactly the right time
We spend so much of our lives preparing for the future. We work, raise families, pay mortgages, maintain homes, build careers and make plans for the day when we'll finally have more time for ourselves. And then, when that day begins to approach, we often assume that moving into a retirement community means admitting that a certain chapter of life is coming to an end. But what if it's actually the beginning of a better one?
What if 60 is precisely the right age to move somewhere beautiful, while you're still energetic enough to enjoy every part of it? To take classes, start a business, make new friends, swim in the morning, host your children for dinner, have the grandchildren sleep over, read more books, exercise regularly, discover new interests or simply sit on a balcony overlooking the Mediterranean and do absolutely nothing. Not because you have to, but because you can.
SEA ONE isn't going to be for everyone. Some people will always prefer their own houses, gardens and familiar neighborhoods. Others may not be ready for a lifestyle built around shared facilities and organized activities. And that's perfectly fine. But for those looking to simplify life without making it smaller, the concept is compelling.
What impressed me most wasn't any single luxury feature. It was the way everything came together: the comfort, the art, the thoughtful design, the wellness facilities, the opportunities to keep working and learning, the proximity to the beach, and the freedom to enjoy life without constantly worrying about its logistics. It felt less like visiting a retirement community and more like getting a glimpse of what the next chapter of life could be.
I arrived expecting a beautifully designed property. I left imagining a lifestyle. And as someone who believes that curiosity, ambition and the desire to enjoy life don't come with an expiration date, I have to admit something.
I really wouldn't mind growing old in a place like this. Actually, I wouldn't mind starting a little early.