Townsquare developers present new ‘greener’ plans

The developers behind the Townsquare project in Sliema have submitted updated plans addressing revisions requested by the Environment and Planning Tribunal.

In a statement, the developers said the new plans follow a decision taken last July to reduce the height of the tower by 11 storeys, to 27 floors. They said an adjustment had also been made to the tower’s position in order to allow for improved pedestrian flow and distance from neighbouring properties.

“We have spent the past few months adding detail to our plans and taking the development to the next level of design as well as taking on board some positive suggestions received from stakeholders,” a spokesperson for the project said.

“These include more trees and soft landscaping, improved access for the public and a design inspired by Maltese stonework for our office façade – which is in line with our vision for Townsquare to be a quality project that is sustainable, contemporary and offering a sense of place in Sliema. We will of course continue to listen to suggestions as we move to the next stage of the development.”

The developers said that the 12,000 sq.m. mixed-use project was placing significant emphasis on the detail of the open pedestrian spaces, including the design of the project’s gardens and those around the restored 19th Century Villa Drago, as well as the introduction of natural green elements on blank vertical walls.

They said that to support the “ambitious plans”, the project’s lead architects, Martin Xuereb and Associates, working in collaboration with the Townsquare’s urban planners, One Works of Milan, had appointed Paisà, an international firm specialising in urban landscaping and greening projects, supported by local landscape architect Antoine Gatt.

Moreover, the developers said that the Social Impact Assessment undertaken on behalf of the developers highlighted “certain concerns” from residents regarding traffic and parking in the area. “Townsquare will actively promote alternative means of transport to and around Sliema, as well as adopting and funding a Green Travel plan to mitigate these issues.”

Meanwhile, Townsquare, which appointed Peter Diacono as its new CEO earlier this month, said it would continue to provide updates on the project plans to stakeholders and the general public.