Recently, the Italian ambassador to Malta Paolo Andrea Trabalza paid a visit to the site of The Point, the new retail mall currently under construction at Tigné Point. Dott. Trabalza was a guest of the main contractor, Italian construction firm Ergon Projects Ltd.

Dott. Trabalza, accompanied by First Secretary Domenico Bellato, was particularly impressed by the mall’s innovative design, which will combine old and new elements, incorporating stones taken from the facades of some of the original buildings on the site dating back to the early years of the last century.

Ing. Carlo Orlanducci Overseas Project Director, Ing. Carlo Convalle Project Manager, and Gilbert Gatt Administration Manager from Ergon Projects, gave an update on the construction works, while James Vassallo, Senior Manager Sales and Marketing Midi explained the retail mall’s pivotal role within the scheme.

Also present during the visit were Bank of Valletta representatives Joe Tonna Executive Head Corporate Centre, Charles Massa Relationship Manager Corporate Centre and Patrick Garroni Gzira Branch Manager.

Ergon Projects Ltd began construction of the €35 million The Point retail mall last summer and is on schedule to complete all work by late summer, 2009.

One side of the site has now reached the top level of concrete, and in mid February Motherwell Bridge started erecting the steelwork frame for the top two levels of shops, which will also include the Sliema Wanderers football pitch on the roof.

The rest of the concrete levels and all structural steel framing/floors will be completed by the end of the year. Work will then start on the external walls above ground level to the whole shopping centre. This will include the reconstruction, on two sides, of stone facades by a local specialist restoration company using the original materials from the old Sergeants Mess building.

All the major mechanical and electrical plant have already been delivered to the site and the air-conditioning installations and electrical work have started in the lower two levels of the building. All scenic lifts and escalators for the atrium and goods lifts for the shops are on order and will be delivered t at the beginning of September.