Fort Cambridge brief does not allow high-rise

The maximum building height for the former military barracks that had recently housed the Holiday Inn in Sliema – now proposed for a 40-storey hotel tower – should be retained at the existing four floors according to the development brief approved by MEPA in 2006.

But the latest development proposal envisions the retention of the historical building’s façade and the construction of a 40-storey tower on top of it.

The development brief is still legally valid and any changes to it have to be approved after amendments are issued for public consultation.

The height limitation in the Tigné area was introduced “in order to conserve the ex-military barracks building”, the brief reads.

According to the approved brief, the existing ex-military barracks building “is to be retained due to its historical and architectural importance”, but internal alterations are allowed. 

“This building will act as a buffer between new higher development on the site and the surrounding residential blocks. No additional floors are to be allowed over this landmark building,” the brief says.

The same brief paved the way for a 16-storey development on an adjacent site. 

MEPA later approved a 20-storey development on condition that it does not surpass the height of a 16-storey development, made possible by reducing the height of each storey.

The barracks were the last remaining ex-military barracks building in Tigné. It was designed and built in the early 1900s, and therefore together with Fort Cambridge offers a valuable link with the past British period.

“Apart from its historical importance, it also significantly contributes to the character, identity and local distinctiveness of the area,” the Fort Cambridge brief read.

On the other hand the eastern hotel block was an addition made in the early 1980s with no conservation importance. 

The historical building has a facade with a series of colonnades and arches. The building also has a characteristic and interesting sheltered, quadrangular, internal courtyard following the same style. 

Originally the building was constructed on two floors. Additional floors were added at a later stage, replicating the same architectural style and features of the previous levels. Apart from these interventions, substantial internal alterations were carried out in order to render the building suitable for hotel use. 

GAP Holdings director Paul Attard last week confirmed that the Malta Tourism Authority had given the firm the green light to apply with MEPA to build a 40-storey hotel. But the MTA will require further information, details and MEPA permits prior to the final approval.

The application submitted to MEPA is for the erection of a 5-star hotel having 368 rooms. 

“At present we are dealing with various renowned management chains,” Attard told MaltaToday.  

He described the proposed hotel “as the first of its kind in Malta being a city hotel, more business orientated and not the resort type”.  

He also said that the hotel will create 300 new jobs.  

According to Attard the shape of the building was developed following various designs and studies with the scope to create a pleasant massing to the high rise as an “iconic building”.