Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1465732
7 NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 24 APRIL 2022 JAMES DEBONO DEVELOPERS have revised plans for a 16-storey tower in Marsa which was set to visual- ly dominate the Marsa junction near the abandoned match fac- tory, and are now proposing a six-storey block. The tower was first proposed in 2017 by property developer Neville Agius, a renowned anti- quarian and philanthropist. The original project consisted of a high-rise block, showroom and cafeteria, with overlying office development, and a three-level underground car park for 136 cars. The project's visual impact study concluded that while the high-rise would generate "adverse visual and landscape impacts" given its low-lying surroundings, a proposed land- scaped public space would have provided "an improved aesthet- ic appeal to the area". And the "aesthetically appealing views of the Marsa Sports Complex and the Grand Harbour Area", were considered an "important sell- ing point" for office tenants. Now the reduced-height de- velopment will see its foot- print increase from 430sq.m to 900sq.m. So while the visual impact on Marsa surroundings will be reduced, the project will no longer include a landscaped 'open space' as originally pro- posed. The Environment Resources Authority welcomed the down- scaling of the project. "The re- duction in height and floor area of the proposed development is considered positive from an en- vironmental point of view, and more in line with the sur- rounding area." But the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage is still concerned by the impact of the six-storey building on the traditional proper- ties on Triq Anton Cassar and called for a design which respects the "architectur- al rhythm, design and propor- tions of these streetscapes". The so-called Marsa Park Ar- ea, where the project is being proposed, was designated as a location for high-rise buildings that allow the "gradual regener- ation of the area". So far the only high-rise pro- ject proposed was that proposed by Agius. Corinthia applies to demolish matchbox factory The Corinthia Group is also proposing another six-storey office block with a contempo- rary design, on the site of the old matchbox factory. The 2020 application is still at screening stage. The project will include over 3,600sq.m of retail space on ground and first-floor levels, with offices on overlying floors, which include a penthouse lev- el, and a three-storey basement parking. Originally, in a first application in 2019, the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage had called for the preservation of the façade of the matchbox factory, which is earmarked for demolition in the Corinthia plans. The matchbox factory, which dates back to 1950, was left abandoned but the Superin- tendence recognises that it has a degree of architectural and his- torical value. jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt 16-storey Marsa tower axed down to six floors Right: the Neville Agius development has been cut down from 16 storeys, as rendered in the photo above, to six storeys. The Corinthia Group's development (see below) will take place on the site of the old matchbox factory in Marsa (left)