A seaside facelift

The restoration works that were carried out in the first phase of the restoration of Pinto and Forni Stores, part of the Valletta Waterfront Project, were a painstaking job that few would have the courage to attempt. Fewer still would be the ones capable of carrying out work to such a high specification.

The Constructors Ltd, a subsidiary of AX Holdings Ltd, set up two years ago, carried out the restoration works on the 19 vaults in the façade, and back elevations of Pinto Stores over the past nine months.

As far as restoration work is concerned, this was the first phase of the project. However, it was the second phase of the Valletta Waterfront Project - which is expected to be finished in 2005 - the first phase being to construct and finish what was refered to as the Third Party Accommo-dation Building in the area for the tenants originally occupying the Stores which would make way for the restoration works.

Before the works were started, the architects, contractors and the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) agreed that as few of the 300-year-old stones as possible would be removed, to keep the original stone wherever possible.

Most of the repairs were done through "plastic repairs injection moulding, claypacks, repointing, grouting and consolidation works as well as a particular material imported specifically for this job" George Xuereb told The Sunday Times.

A special application was attached to the Roman numerals and inscriptions on the façade to maintain all aspects of the original stone, whereas vellatura was applied to the rest of the façade to give the stone the same appearance as the original. vellatura has the added advantage of giving the stone breathing space, which reduces the risk of interior damage.

"Some of the stone was damaged far beyond repair," Angelo Xuereb added. For these stones, such as the coat of arms and other features on the higher ends of the façade, as well as the plinth - which had been damaged by previous restorers who merely filled in gaps with cement - hardstone was brought over from Gozo.

"Stones were cut to size by hand, matching course height and curves specifically, stone by stone. One of the only alterations was the addition of pigeon-deterrents, which are barely visible. The rear elevation of the stores, while being much less intricate than the façade, was treated with the same care and detail to attention.

"This was the second time that AX Holdings Ltd have handled such an intricate restoration project. The first project was the restoration of Scamps Palace in Vittoriosa, now occupied by Casinò di Venezia," George Xuereb said. "A person highly specialised in restoration work was contracted for the job, and we can now boast 12 highly skilled employees trained in the restoration field."

During the restoration phase, thousands of metres of scaffolding were used, and the management did their best to cause as little inconvenience as possible, especially where cruise-ships berth. Works were stopped while passengers disembarked. Luckily, but more as a result of precaution, "no injuries were reported on site during the restoration," Angelo Xuereb said.

The next phase of the project has already started, which includes work on the road behind the Stores which shall be used instead of the one currently being used on the promenade. This has also been entrusted in the hands of The Constructors Limited.

Very old culverts were discovered and works have been altered to incorporate these as part of the project. The culverts will be used to pass rainwater, electricity cables and foul water, while these are accessible without having to dig up roads and resurface them afterwards, if any work needs to be done in the future.

Certain parts of the work had to be sub-contracted, but even this work was carried out under the supervision of The Constructors Limited.

Another part of the project that was started recently is the construction of Malta Maritime Author-ity (MMA) building, a one-stop-shop building which is expected to be finished within a year, The Valletta Waterfront Project is expected to be completed in 2005.