Nvidia moves toward major new tech campus near Haifa

Plans for Nvidia’s next Israeli development hub took a significant step forward this week, as the Israel Land Authority approved allocating land in Kiryat Tivon for the company’s proposed mega-campus. 

The move, made without a competitive tender, signals that the northern town may soon host one of the most ambitious tech centers ever built in Israel. Final approval from the Land Council is still pending.

Nvidia, for its part, says it is continuing to review its options before committing to any final decisions.

A Campus Modeled on Santa Clara

According to the outline presented to government planners, the upcoming complex would be unlike any existing tech campus in the country, designed on a scale meant to mirror Nvidia’s headquarters in Santa Clara, California. 

The planned 160,000-square-meter facility would accommodate roughly 8,000 employees, with broader economic ripple effects expected throughout the region.

Because of the project’s enormity, the development agreement includes a seven-year construction window. 

Nvidia would be eligible for up to three additional years at no extra charge if the company meets all other requirements. These terms take into account the project’s ambitious architectural demands and the need for close coordination with Nvidia teams worldwide.

A clause in the agreement also gives Nvidia the option to withdraw if zoning changes are not approved. In such a case, the land would be returned to the state and Nvidia reimbursed, excluding fees for the period it held the property.

A Strategic Site in Northern Israel

The future campus is planned for the Kiryat Tivon Employment Campus on the town’s western side, close to Highway 6, the HaEmek Interchange, and the Jezreel Valley railway. 

The 90-dunam (22-acre) plan incorporates offices, leisure and tourism areas, commercial space, public facilities, and internal roadways. 

An additional 12,000 square meters of office and retail space would be built in mid-rise buildings, supported by a transportation terminal linking the area to several major routes.

Nvidia has reportedly requested additional land beyond the currently approved plot and has made clear it will not finalize the agreement unless the expansion is granted. The Israel Land Authority has recommended meeting the company’s request through a planning license arrangement.

A Competitive Win for Kiryat Tivon

Municipalities across the country vied for the opportunity to host Nvidia’s new center. Yokneam — where the company already operates a significant presence, was considered a strong contender, as were Haifa, Migdal HaEmek, Afula, Harish, and even Netanya. The Land Authority’s decision effectively places Kiryat Tivon at the front of the line.

Nvidia’s Israeli operations are already vast: more than 5,000 employees work in the company’s existing development center, making it one of the largest high-tech employers in the country. The new site suggests Nvidia aims to at least double, and possibly triple, its local workforce.

A Global Powerhouse Accelerating AI

Globally, Nvidia has grown from a graphics-focused gaming company into one of the defining forces of modern computing, valued at roughly $4.7 trillion. 

Its more than 36,000 engineers, researchers, and developers in 38 countries work across fields ranging from AI to high-performance computing. Nvidia’s dominance rests heavily on its GPUs, which excel at parallel processing and now serve as the backbone of data centers powering the rapid expansion of generative AI.

Israel’s newest prospective mega-campus would cement the country’s position as one of Nvidia’s most important centers outside the U.S. and mark a major investment in the future of northern Israel’s tech ecosystem.