Vodafone Malta will be the first tenant of the Malta International Airport’s e16 million business park, it was announced this week.
The move is to take place in two years’ time and Vodafone’s presence is to form the core of the project.
MIA has already submitted all applications for the necessary permits and will be commencing the construction of a business park – initially intended to include office and retail space – which is scheduled to be completed by the second half of 2011.
The construction, which is estimated to involve an investment of e16 million, is to have a footprint of 3,100 square metres across nine storeys – two of which will be dedicated to underground parking, two for retail space, two for food and beverages facilities and five for offices space.
The total rentable area will be 14,000 square metres excluding car parking space.
Vodafone will be moving out of the Msida valley offices, which have become too small for the 300 employees on its books, while also eliminating the terrible inconvenience anytime a heavy downpour turns the road into a raging river. Meetings have to be cancelled and people inside have to exit through the back door while cars parked outside are at the mercy of the flood waters.
“The site is indeed an ideal location for a prestigious multinational company and we are gratified to have an entity of the dimension of Vodafone Malta as our tenants, making us confident of achieving success. Moreover, this is also a convenient time to invest on such a project when construction costs are low,” said Malta International Airport chief executive officer, Julian Jaeger, elaborating that the area is in the vicinity of the arterial road network and has excellent access to public transport.
MIA will carry out the project management; the project architect is Edwin Mintoff, with Scicluna and Associates as mechanical and engineering consultants. The building is to be an energy efficient edifice of high standard security and finishes complying with all health and safety requirements and will be accessible to all.
“Vodafone Malta is executing an ambitious growth strategy. We have decided to move our offices from Msida to a larger area at MIA to improve the facilities of our work environment, to be more in line with our brand and culture and the principles of productivity, collaboration and flexibility,” said Vodafone Malta chief executive officer Inaki Berroeta.
“The modern offices will consist of an open plan layout, having appropriate leisure facilities, making it easier for people from abroad visiting us for a day and for those employees going on foreign assignments.”
Vodafone Malta will occupy 5,208 square metres, including two floors of office space and ample car park spaces. The mechanical and electrical services will conform to international regulations with special reference to MSA regulations, European norms and EU regulations. The works will be completed with good engineering practice, designed for energy efficiency, low running costs, reliability, safety, quality of workmanship and material. Apart from lift and escalators, the new premises will be equipped with staircases leading to all floors, including fire escape routes.
Replying to questions from the media during Wednesday’s announcement, Mr Jaeger said MIA expects the Mepa permit in approximately three months’ time. Work on the site will be concluded in 18 to 20 months after the permit is issued.