Two important heritage buildings, Villa Hay and the Gardener’s Cottage, both forming part of the once-acclaimed estate of Villa Frere in Pieta will undergo restoration works after the Planning Commission granted development permission for works to commence.

Both Villa Hay and the Gardener’s Cottage, now close to two centuries old, contain various architectural elements typical of Maltese vernacular architecture including double walls, ceilings supported on diaphragm arches and timber beams, deffun and flagstone floorings, alcoves and a variety of stone staircases. Below both buildings lies the lower-most garden/orchard which was once enclosed by lofty rubble walls.

Currently, the most serious damage relates to collapsing ceilings, staircases, archways, walls and associated structures. Vegetal overgrowth, defective stormwater barriers and lack of maintenance have resulted in considerable damage and decay.

Restoration works will include the replacement of any timber bean, the dismantling of any xorok and their reconstruction reusing the same components, the reinstatement of collapsed staircases, porticoes and walls. All cementitious finishes shall be removed since these contribute to salt activity within the stone. Any non-historic accretions or non-historic services including drainage systems and electrical wiring shall be removed manually.

The project will be partially funded by the PA’s Irrestawra Darek grant scheme which catered for easing the financial burden of safeguarded and maintaining scheduled buildings.

All works will be carried out following an approved restoration method statement and works will be monitored by the Superindent of Cultural Heritage in collaboration with the PA's conservation officers.