A bid to develop the Chalet area in Sliema (above) has been rejected while a proposal to convert Evans Building in Valletta as a tourist establishment has been approved.

Malta Strategic Partnership Projects said Thursday that the evaluation process for the projects presented to the government had been concluded.

Only one bid was presented for the chalet site, and it has not been recommended for approval.

"The government will nonetheless continue with its pledge to invest in the regeneration of this important Sliema site so that such investment can contribute towards an improved quality of life for the Sliema community," the agency said.

The chalet site, previously a place of entertainment in the post-war years, is nothing more than a concrete platform jutting out at Għar id-Dud promenade. The chalet closed 60 years ago and it quickly fell into disrepair, with the columns that supported the upper structure removed soon after the turn of the century.

The agency said it has recommended the award of a 65-year concession of Evans Building in lower Valletta to Valletta Luxury Projects who had made a bid of €1.2 million annually, thus reaching €78 million over the concession period.

The Evans Building (below) was originally built in 1952 to serve as university laboratories. It was later used as government departments, housing the ID cards office for several years.

The agency said the facade of the current building will be retained.