New nine-storey Portomaso tower proposed

A new, 10-level building is being proposed on the site of the present Portomaso coffee shop opposite the former playground in the vicinity of the existing 23 storey tower.

The project proposed by Spinola Development Company – a subsidiary of Tumas Group – will consist of an extension of the existing cafeteria and nine floors of offices over and above the cafeteria.

As would be expected, it will have modern features – one of the innovative energy saving features of the new development will be the use of high resistance architectural fabric with solar control. Pop out frameless windows will also be used in the glazing.

The application presented to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority on Monday is still at a preliminary stage and the authority still has to assess whether the development conforms with planning policies.

Paceville is one of the localities where over 10 storey buildings can be allowed according to a policy regulating building heights which was approved last year.  Buildings are also allowed to be higher than the height limitation established in the local plan.

The original permit for the Portomaso development was issued in 1996. Various changes to the approved blocks were approved along the years.

The entire area was leased by the state to the developers for Lm191,000 (€444,910) until 2014, and eventually sold to the developers for Lm800,000 in 2006. In 2014 a permit was also issued for 46 new villas set on an artificial lagoon.