A modernist house in Balzan has been handed its death knell after the Planning Commission approved its demolition and replacement with a five-storey block of apartments.
The building on Old Railway Street in the quiet village will make way for a maisonette and three apartments and a level of basement garages.
The house, called Walmarville, dates back from the 1960s and is a synonymous example of modernist architecture in Malta.
A desperate attempt by a group of young architects and NGOs to save the house, or at least save its iconic façade proved futile.
Likewise did an attempt by the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage for the decision to be at least postponed until the process for scheduling similar properties on the same street is decided.
This too fell on deaf ears, with the board – made up of Anthony Camilleri and Stephanie Baldacchino simply arguing that they had to abide by local plans and policies.
The board said that the façade could not be retained and that the house has to be demolished so that the level of basement parking, which they described as being of “paramount importance”, can be excavated.