In a major advancement for Israel’s national healthcare infrastructure, the BST Group has secured the tender to construct the new Northern Hospitalization Tower at the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov). Valued at approximately 420 million NIS, this ambitious project represents a critical leap forward in urban healthcare planning, combining state-of-the-art rehabilitation facilities with fortified emergency readiness in the heart of the nation’s cultural and economic capital.
Strategic Healthcare Expansion
- Major Investment: BST Group will lead the 420 million NIS construction of the initial 12 floors of Ichilov’s new Northern Tower.
- Dual-Purpose Design: The facility features 40,000 square meters of above-ground space and a massive underground complex designed to convert into an emergency hospital during national crises.
- Engineering Feat: The project demands high-precision engineering to build above existing structures without disrupting the daily operations of Israel’s busiest urban hospital.
- Future-Ready Medicine: The tower will house advanced psychiatric and rehabilitation units, addressing critical long-term health needs.
The Scope of the New Medical Citadel
The physical dimensions of the project reflect the growing demand for premier medical services in Tel Aviv, with a design that looks upward for expansion and downward for security. Located on Henrietta Szold Street, the project involves the construction of the skeleton, shell, and systems for the first 12 floors of a planned 24-story skyscraper. This initial phase includes a ground floor, eight dedicated hospitalization floors, and three upper floors destined to serve as the base for a future office tower.
The total built area for this phase spans roughly 39,000 square meters. However, the true strategic depth of the project lies beneath the surface. The plan integrates a five-level underground parking complex covering 27,000 square meters. Showcasing Israel’s proactive approach to security, the lowest level of this subterranean structure is engineered to transform rapidly into a fully active, protected medical ward, ensuring hospital continuity even under the threat of missile fire or other emergencies.
Engineering Innovation Amidst Urban Bustle
Constructing a skyscraper-grade medical facility within a dense, fully operational hospital campus presents a logistical puzzle that demands precision engineering and rigorous operational discipline. BST Group, controlled by the Tannous family, described the project as highly complex because construction must proceed above an existing parking structure without disrupting the hospital’s pulse.
Ambulances, medical staff, and patients must continue to move freely, and the arterial roads connecting the complex to the city center must remain open. Samer Kardosh, CEO of BST Construction, emphasized that building in the heart of Tel Aviv within a campus active 24/7 requires the highest standards of planning and control. He noted the project’s dual significance: it is both a professional engineering challenge and a personal commitment to strengthening the “iron infrastructure” of Israel’s medical system.
A Vision for Rehabilitation and Resilience
Beyond concrete and steel, the tower symbolizes a strategic shift in Israel’s medical capabilities, focusing on modern rehabilitation needs and psychiatric care while ensuring continuity during crises. Prof. Eli Sprecher, CEO of the Medical Center, hailed the tower as a strategic milestone for the institution.
According to Prof. Sprecher, the new tower will house the most advanced rehabilitation and psychiatry arrays in the country, sectors identified as vital for the future of medicine. The fortified underground hospital layer is a direct response to national security needs, enhancing Ichilov’s readiness for emergency scenarios. The timeline for this engineering marathon is set at 33 months for the total project, with the underground complex expected to receive its occupancy permit within 24 months, allowing parts of the facility to come online while the tower rises above.
| Feature | Specification | Strategic Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Above-Ground Scope | 12 floors (Ground + 8 Hospital + 3 Office) | Expands capacity for Rehab and Psychiatry amidst high demand. |
| Subterranean Level | 5 levels, 27,000 sq. meters | Solves parking shortages while acting as a strategic shield. |
| Emergency Readiness | Lowest level convertible to ward | Guarantees operational continuity during war or national emergency. |
| Location | Central Tel Aviv (Henrietta Szold St.) | Maintains premier care access in the country’s economic hub. |
Project Execution Milestones
- Excavation and Stabilization: Begin structural work above the existing parking complex while maintaining zero disruption to hospital traffic.
- Subterranean Completion: Finalize the 5-level underground facility and obtain the occupancy permit (Form 4) within 24 months.
- Tower Shell Construction: Complete the skeleton and shell systems for the 12 above-ground floors within the full 33-month timeline.
Glossary
- Ichilov (Sourasky Medical Center): The third-largest hospital complex in Israel, located in Tel Aviv, serving as a primary hub for emergency care, rehabilitation, and research.
- Form 4 (Tofes 4): An official Israeli document certifying that a building is safe, connected to utilities, and ready for occupancy.
- Shell and Core: A construction phase where the basic structure and main systems (electricity, plumbing) are completed, leaving interior fitting for later.
- Fortified Ward: A medical space designed with reinforced concrete and filtration systems to function as a shelter during missile attacks or chemical threats.
Methodology
This report is based on the official announcement regarding the tender results for the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center’s North Tower. Details regarding the scope (40,000 sq. m), financial volume (420M NIS), and timelines (33 months) are derived directly from statements provided by BST Group and the Medical Center’s administration.
FAQ
Q: Why is the underground parking lot considered a medical asset?
A: In Israel, security reality dictates dual-use infrastructure. The lowest level of the new parking complex is designed as a “convertible” space. While it serves vehicles daily, it is pre-wired and reinforced to function as a fully protected hospitalization ward during conflicts, shielding patients and staff from external threats.
Q: What specific medical fields will the new tower focus on?
A: The tower is designated to house advanced rehabilitation and psychiatric departments. These fields are increasingly critical in modern medicine, and the new facility aims to provide cutting-edge technological support for physical and mental recovery.
Q: How will construction affect access to the current hospital?
A: The tender requirements explicitly state that “functional continuity” is paramount. BST Group is tasked with ensuring that ambulance routes, pedestrian access, and vehicle flow remain uninterrupted throughout the 33-month construction period, despite the heavy machinery operating in the city center.
Building for a Resilient Future
The commencement of the Northern Tower project at Ichilov is more than a construction update; it is a testament to Israel’s unwavering commitment to life and resilience. By integrating advanced mental health care with fortified emergency structures, the state ensures that its citizens receive world-class treatment regardless of the geopolitical climate.
Final Takeaways
- Significant Investment: A 420 million NIS injection into Tel Aviv’s public health infrastructure.
- Security Integration: A new standard for hospitals with convertible underground bunkers for wartime readiness.
- Complex Engineering: A showcase of Israeli construction capability in dense urban environments.
Why We Care
This development matters because it highlights Israel’s unique ability to thrive under pressure. While many nations struggle to maintain basic infrastructure, Israel is proactively upgrading its medical capabilities to handle both routine modern healthcare needs (like rehabilitation and mental health) and extreme emergency scenarios. It demonstrates a society that values human life above all, investing hundreds of millions to ensure that even in the face of war, its hospitals remain safe sanctuaries of healing.
