Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1185664
JAMES DEBONO VALLETTA'S attraction for tourists seeking quality ac- commodation "does not show a decline", claims an architect pitching for a proposed new hotel set above the Delia fac- tory workshop on Merchants' Street. The project, which will add two additional floors, is locat- ed at the corner of the paved Merchants' Street and St Lucy Street. The application foresees a 30-room hotel, presented by Nicolas Bianchi. The existing building consists of a two-storey building with internal courtyard and shops belonging to third parties at ground floor level. Architect Ray De Micoli claims that the additional floors will "enhance the ar- chitectural value of the hotel" while "compensating… for the heavy financial investment re- quired for the rehabilitation for reuse of the existing building." In a project description state- ment submitted to the Plan- ning Authority, De Micoli claims that with the number of tourists visiting Malta increas- ing from year to year "there is a constant growing demand for accommodation". Moreo- ver "despite the large number of boutique hotels in the city, the market does not show a de- cline". De Micoli's objective "is to restore the building and alter it in a sympathetic, honest and dignified manner", following contemporary conservation philosophy principles, avoid- ing the creation of "a historic fake." The restored courtyard will serve as the "hub and heart of the hotel" and the extension will be carefully designed ac- cording to unique Valletta aes- thetics. The boutique hotel will con- sist of luxury accommodation to target business travellers. The shops at the ground floor and part of the mezzanine are third party properties which will not be impacted by the ap- plication. Over the past years Valletta has seen a dramatic increase in the number of new bou- tique hotels. 20 applications to construct or develop boutique hotels were approved between 2014 and 2017. While this has contributed to the regenera- tion of the city, residents have expressed concern about gen- trification. Valletta residents who spoke to the anthropologists who carried out research on behalf of the V18 Foundation, com- plained that the city had "lost its soul" after its European ac- colade, and that they could not afford to live there anymore. "What's happening in Valletta is that it is getting depopulated while boutique hotels and oth- er commercial enterprises are opening. You need commerce but you also need residents to keep a city alive. A city is made of its people – we are not talking about a necropolis, a tourist resort or an industrial estate," one resident told the researchers. 8 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 17 NOVEMBER 2019 NEWS COURT NOTICE The Registrar, Civil Courts and Tribunals notifies that the First Hall of the Civil Court ordered the sale by Judicial Auction of the following property to be held in room numbered 78, nearby the Courts Archives, Level -1, Courts of Justice, Republic Street, Valletta. Date Time Judicial Sale No Property 28 th November, 2019 11.00am 26/19AZ Bank of Valletta plc (C2833) vs Valenzia Alexander (ID 404662M) et Tenament numbered 8, in alley number 7 situated in Triq Santa Luċija, Naxxar, with its own yard, small garden and well also including its roof and overlying airspace, however, in part overlying and in part underlying third party property, tale quale as of today, with access from the same alley, free and unencumbered with all its rights and appurtences, valued at €640,000 03 rd December, 2019 10.30am 43/19 - EGL Donaldson Kenneth William (ID24624A) noe vs Fenech Martin Dr et noe Internal room numbered 1 of approximately 13sqm integrally forming part of tenement numbered 21 in Triq Karlu, Belt Valletta, with servititude consisting of right of internally passage of the said tenement numbered 21. The offers will start as estimated in the architect report of €18,000. 03 rd December, 2019 11.00am 11/18 - EM Debattista Grace (ID902551M) et vs Lia Maria (ID87349M) et Tenament numbered 84, with access from alley numbered 2, in Triq San Guzepp, Zabbar, with superficial airspace of approximately 370m 2 and at the back side is accessible from alley in Triq Lajri, free and unencumbered and is valued at €290,000. Tenament number 84A, with access from alley number 2, in Triq San Guzepp, Zabbar, free and unencumbered, and valued at €170,000 Ground floor tenament numbered 84C, with access from alley number 2 in Triq San Guzepp, Zabbar, free and uncumbered and valued at €170,000 The tenament Spiridione Garage in Triq Salvu Astarita, Zabbar, with approximate 60m in depth and 6m in width with a backyard and aggravated with annual and perpetual ground rent of €2.33 per year and is valued at €260,000 03 rd December, 2019 11.30am 34/17 - JGL Barclays Bank plc (C26167) vs Vella John Mary (ID615558M) et Tenement numbered 1, in Triq il-Karmnu, corner with Triq Ħal Far, Birzebbuga', bounded West with Triq il-Karmnu, North with Triq Hal-Far and East with an unnamed public alley, free and unencumbered from any ground rents and burdens, by contract in the acts of Notary Gerard Spiteri Maempel dated 28th June, 2003, valued at €410,000. Apartments internally numbered 5, 6, 7 and 8, in a block named 'Morning Mist Court' in Triq Massimiljanu Kolbe, Il-Qawra, San Pawl il-Baħar, bounded on the South West by a new street in Triq San Timotju, on the North East by property of Rite Mix (Gatt Bros.) Limited or their successors in title and on the NorthWest by property of successors in title of Devlands Limited, as subject to their share of annual and perpetual ground rent of Eur 83.21. This block of apartments was built on two divided portions and adjoining building site forming part of a field in Qawra, known as "Ta' Cassia", as per contract in the acts of Notary Gerard Spiteri Maempel, dated 26th October, 2002, valued at €965,000. 05 th December, 2019 11.00am 32/12 - EGL Bank of Valletta plc (C2833) vs Magri Mario (ID243365M) Apartment internally numbered 5, in the first floor, forming part of a block of apartments numbered 45, named "Arca" in Triq is- Sibbien, Marsascala, as well as a room numbered 5 used as a washroom in the same block and including part of the roof, also numbered 5 in the said block, free and unencumbered with all its rights and appurtenances including common parts, hall, lift, stairs, stairwell, landings, connection of drainage, drains and subject to the annual and perpetual ground rent of €11.65. The said block are built on plots numbers 11 and 12 in territory known as 'tal-Ħamrija", and which block is bounded on the North by Triq is-Sibbien, on South by Triq Ġdida in Triq il-Qaliet and West by another plot of Quel Bon Couer Limited and valued at €60,000. 10 th December, 2019 11.30am 42/19 - AZ Gifford Judith (ID789146M) vs Perkins Michael (ID526342M) The premises named 'Villino Verde' situated in Triq Valletta, Mosta, with its own airspace, overlaying third party property, including garage in the ground floor level as well as an landing leading to the main door of the villa which is situated on the first floor, subject to annual and perpetual ground rent of €40.18, bounded on the North by Triq Valletta, to the East by property of Carmelo Petroni or his successors in title, to the South by property of successors in title of Victor Drago, with all its rights and enjoyments, as per estimation of €400,000. Further details can be obtained from the website: https://ecourts.gov.mt/onlineservices/JudicialSales The bidders taIDng part in the auction must present their identity card Gaetana Aquilina For the Registrar of Civil Courts and Tribunals COURT NOTICE The Registrar of Civil Courts and Tribunals informs that the Civil Court, First Hall ordered the following sales by auction: Date Time Judicial Sale No Place Items 11 th December, 2019 12/19 Broker – Jesmond Mizzi Bank of Valletta plc (C2833) vs Property Network Ltd (C9870) 1/2, Triq il- Kbira San Ġużepp, Ħamrun 55,000 shares in Datatrak Holdings plc society today known as Loqus Holdings plc (C27140); 95,000 shares in Datatrak Holdings plc society today known as Loqus Holdings plc (C27140); 174,000 shares in Datatrak Holdings plc society today known as Loqus Holdings plc (C27140). Further details can be obtained from the website: https://ecourts.gov.mt/onlineservices/JudicialSales The bidders taking part in the auction must present their identity card Gaetana Aquilina For the Registrar Civil Courts and Tribunals 'No decline' in Valletta market for boutique hotels Newest project on Merchants' Street prospects no slowdown in demand for luxury Valletta accommodation