Project in Alicante: the City of Justice moves toward reality
The City of Justice in Alicante is progressing from promise to concrete development. The site once occupied by a car park has been cleared after years of planning, with heavy machinery focused on demolishing old facilities. Foundations, slabs, reinforced concrete, and the remaining asphalt on the former parking area have been removed to make way for the future structure. This marks a critical shift from study to construction, as crews prepare to begin digging the building’s foundations.
This ambitious project is one of the council’s flagship undertakings for the province of Alicante, though completion milestones have shifted. The project was officially launched with a signing on January 16, initiating a 33‑month implementation period. The consortium Ferrovial and Servitria won the contract, signed late last year, to operate the project for a budget of 61 million euros. Ferrovial recently faced shareholder discussions regarding a relocation of its headquarters to the Netherlands, a move that sparked political debate. The overall investment has been reported around 72.7 million euros, with roughly 14.5 million euros allocated for the first year of studies.
The building is planned to rise over seven floors, delivering about 47,000 square meters of built space on a 5,500 square meter site at the former San Fernando canton. The objective of this study is to end the dispersion of judicial facilities in Alicante, where courts are presently spread across ten locations, by consolidating them into a single, central complex.
For a look at the progress, observers note the dismantling of the old car park, followed by the removal of existing concrete floors, walls, and fences. Official statements indicate that the wall facing the street will be dismantled, while plans to divert the Iberdrola line on Aguilera street were under consideration. Concrete for the street-facing wall has begun to be laid, and work proceeds with coordination between local authorities and the construction teams. The project team emphasizes meticulous site preparation to ensure a smooth transition into the next phases.
Project details and layout
The project has navigated a series of challenges, including changes to the General Plan to accommodate a building of greater size than originally envisioned. The design includes two basement levels to house a car park with approximately 180 spaces, as well as secure areas for prisoners and facilities for medical and legal services. The ground floor is reserved for essential public services such as the duty court, the complaints office, and the Population Directorate.
The first floor will feature all public viewing rooms, totaling 23 spaces. The second floor will house two additional rooms designed for advanced demonstrations and a mediation center with a general affairs secretariat. The third through fifth floors will accommodate offices serving the courts within the building. The sixth floor is dedicated to investigation functions, while the seventh floor is planned as a potential future extension. The attic will house the Dean’s office and the coordinating secretariat. The center is designed with separate access routes for professionals and the public, along with dedicated corridors to prevent conflicts between detainees and visitors during transit.
Both the Ministry of Justice and the Alicante City Council intend this building to serve as more than a courthouse. It is envisioned as an architectural anchor that helps shape three neighborhoods: Benalúa, Alipark, and Princesa Mercedes, with generous open spaces. A public square with vegetation within the complex will connect visitors to the building’s primary services, creating a civic hub that integrates the judiciary with the surrounding urban fabric.
Center-level considerations also extend to the governance of trademark matters. The Generalitat Official Journal has issued a call for bids to host trademark courts in Alicante. The aim is to concentrate the three judicial bodies currently dispersed across two locations into a single site. Although a call appeared in December, a new notice was published to accommodate a bigger space. The bid area has been adjusted from 1,000 square meters to 850 square meters, with a two-week deadline for submissions. This strategic consolidation aligns with the broader effort to streamline judicial processes in the region.
Notes: This report reflects official statements and bid notices as reported by regional authorities. Ongoing developments will continue to shape the final configuration and timeline of the City of Justice project in Alicante. .