The Courthouse, covering an area of 2,890 sqm, is comprised of four floors, including an Israel Prison Service wing and underground parking.

The ground floor includes the main entrance, an administrative desk, and a public reception desk. Over the ground floor there are three floors with 9 courtrooms, and a secluded internal wing containing the judges’ chambers. Another wing of the courthouse, in an underground level, has 9 cells for detainees.

The structure is accessible for people with disabilities, and includes 4 elevators – 2 public elevators, 1 secluded elevator for judges, and 1 Prison Service elevator.

The Courthouse, constructed in the shape of a cube with a transparent façade that faces the public street, is located near Giron Mall, Yad Lebanim, and Asuta Hospital. It is a few-minute walk from Ashkelon’s central station or train station.

Spotlight on construction design and processes

Ashtrom Group had constructed the Ashkelon Magistrate Courthouse in the PFI method, in which the private entity – the concessioner, constructor, and operator of the project – is paid by the state based on predefined execution parameters.

The courthouse construction was successfully completed in 2012 by virtue of the emphasis on planning and design, execution, quality control, adherence to tight deadlines (two years only), and strict adherence to safety measures throughout all work stages.