Location is one of the most important factors when you are seeking to introduce a totally new concept in retailing for Malta.
Ramon Micallef is confident that once this new retail complex at Portomaso opens for the public later this year, the ultra-modern Luxe Pavilion will offer the highest level of retail shopping known to Malta in the most stylish and elegant setting.
With Portomaso being one of the most prestigious developments on the island, and Luxe Pavilion occupying a landmark site, Mr Micallef, managing director of Retail Solutions Ltd, which owns the lease, said his thinking was to put together a retail experience that brought a variety of luxury products to suit every taste.
"The location is excellent and the surrounding hotels all cater for the exclusive market. Portomaso is also very popular with locals and I firmly believe that this one-of-a-kind complex will offer a unique shopping experience for the mid to upmarket customer," he said.
Luxe Pavilion accommodates 650 m2 of retail space spread over three levels which include, at street level, a very modern jewellery housing the best collections and brands, exclusive timepieces and fine writing instruments. Top quality leather goods from Italy and France, a variety of skincare products and cosmetics together with a range of selective gifts will also be located on the ground floor.
On the top two floors the complex will have a variety of designer fashion boutiques and franchises together with a choice of accessories. All sales units enjoy a minimum of five running metres of direct exposure onto the main road on each of the four sides.
Designed on an open plan, each of the 14 units is accessible, though separate. The company is presently in the final stages of negotiations to fill the remaining retail space and, though a good variety of luxurious brands have signed up, Mr Micallef is still keen to sign up more top fashion names to create the right mixture.
The long-term lease agreement with the Tumas Group was concluded a year ago. "I believe that the original concept of Mr Fenech was for a shopping complex to be located where Luxe Pavilion is today," he said.
Every corner of the building is receiving Mr Micallef's attention. He is investing heavily in completing the construction and the finishes being put in place at the moment are top notch, with no expenses spared. The clear glass, all around the complex is of special quality that allows in sunlight but not the UV rays that could damage the products on display.
The façade will be clad with Pietra del Cardoso, a special stone from Tuscany, and the flooring, also from Italy, is hard-wearing with different blends of white.
Mr Micallef, 34, has been active at managerial level since he was 22 and, for the past eight years, has been mostly dedicated to retail operations.
Patrons of the Luxe Pavilion will be able to access the complex directly through four underground levels of customer parking within Portomaso and, when the roadworks will be completed, passing traffic to and from St Julian's will be looking straight in.
Further information on Luxe Pavilion may be obtained from the company's Website www.luxepavilion.com.