Lombard Bank has taken over the restoration of a number of townhouses in Saqqajja, Rabat, which were previously scheduled for the development of a luxury boutique hotel back in 2018. In addition to their restoration the bank plans to use them as a branch.
In November of 2018, plans were submitted to the Planning Authority (PA/09516/18) to have one of the few remaining neo-classical architectural buildings in Saqqajja, Rabat, turned into a boutique hotel.
The application was submitted by architect Justin Spiteri on behalf of developer Keith Grima.
The plan was to add another two storeys to the already existing infrastructure of buildings number 14 and 15 in Saqqajja Square as well as 12 and 13 on St Augustine’s Avenue in order to make space for around 47 rooms. Additionally, the present garden was set to be turned into a pool are for hotel residents to enjoy.
Numerous complaints were raised from residents and NGOs alike who believed that this development will turn these historical structures into an eyesore and cause a major parking problem in an already constricted area. A petition was set up and over 3,000 signatures were accumulated.
A year later, these plans were scrapped under the directive of the developer Keith Grima. Instead he issued them for sale at a €1.8 million price tag.
It has now been revealed that Lombard Bank Malta has bought the property and proceeded to submit a planning application (PA/03524/20) under the remit of architect Patrick Calleja.
The application states that the bank wishes to change these buildings “from Class 1 residential building to Class 4A Bank Branch including installation of platform and passenger lift and general restoration works.”
The application is still awaiting recommendations, however, it seems to be welcomed due promising the restoration of these relics from the Victorian era.
Speaking to this newsroom, Rabat mayor Sandro Craus said that the fact that Lombard Bank has bought the residences and is planning to fix the façades is good news so much so that the council is currently scheduling the whole area to ensure that no other planning applications are submitted to the PA.
Asked for his opinion on the planning application stating that it the residences will be turned into a Class 4A Bank Branch, he said that he has no objection to it if the façades remain the same since they are of high historical and architectural value.
He clarified that when the council was never against the idea of turning these buildings into a luxury boutique hotel back in 2018. Their objection was centred on the fact that the developers were changing the structure without respecting its original form.
“What they do inside the house is up to them but they have to protect everything of historical value, even if it is just a simple flight of stairs,” Craus said.
He explained that Rabat is rich in historical relics and the council wants to safeguard this characteristic as much as possible.