A different kind of living

Excavation works on the 2,600 m2-area, on your left as you drive past Malta Shipbuilding in Sta Lucija Avenue in Paola, are finally complete.

Construction on this massive site, bound by four streets - L-Ibjar, Ninu Cremona, New Street in Ninu Cremona and L-Arkata - and owned by property developers Montebello Brothers, started on Friday and will be completed in three years' time.

Four years ago, young, enterprising architect Colin Zammit submitted an application to MEPA to build up the area, providing a semi-basement and three floors, building practically 100 per cent of the site.

But the original plan was abandoned and a totally innovative concept for residential living in Malta - the A3 Towers - was introduced. During discussions with the Major Projects Division within MEPA, Mr Zammit was offered the opportunity to design a completely different project because the location required such an investment.

"After some consideration, I took the opportunity to present different proposals, finally ending up with 70 per cent open space and only 30 per cent built area. MEPA is also encouraging the application of this floor area ratio concept, whereby instead of leaving just the usual back yard and internal yard, more open space is left," Mr Zammit recently told The Sunday Times at Dhalia's beautiful penthouse at The Strand in Sliema.

Dhalia has been given sole agency for the selling and marketing of the project. Chris Grech, consultant on behalf of Dhalia, told The Sunday Times he was extremely happy to hear about this awareness campaign in the southern part of the island. It was not just the size of any construction but also its immediate environment that made a big difference.

"Having a good address increases the value of property and the A3 Towers have a huge advantage in that they are right in the middle of Malta," Mr Grech said. "Trends are slowly changing and the property industry is finally keeping up with fashion.

"This is a clear indication of a new trend where one is given the opportunity to live in a progressive environment. If you start investing now, others will follow suit. It is not just about price per square metre but also the destination itself.

"Finishing is the power of property. It is all about having an upmarket address for the affordable market."

Montebello Brothers have invested Lm5 million (Lm2 million on construction, Lm2 million on finishing and Lm1 million on land) in this massive avant-garde project. The three medium-rise tower blocks, the first residential tower blocks on the island, will offer comfort, privacy and quality, all combined to form an exclusive residence.

Apart from the new concept of floor area ratio, Mr Zammit has also introduced new materials in his design, like a steel structure, glass, polycarbonates and cladding.

The towers' steel structure was basically used for aesthetic purposes but other orientation and safety considerations were taken into account, like views of the Grand Harbour on one side, the Marsa Sports Club on the other and no apertures overlooking the cemetery, living areas facing south and bedrooms north, the north side being constantly in the shade, all rooms having terraces, concealed air-conditioning units, solar heating on the capping canopy at the top of the towers, and railings designed at an angle, among many others.

Apart from the residential blocks, underneath are facilities and amenities like five shops - a stationer, pharmacy, bazaar, greengrocer and minimarket. There are 70 apartments, each measuring approximately 130 m2 with terraces and three penthouses, measuring about 250 m2.

Buffered at lower levels are a cafeteria and an open square, "the lungs of this project", and three levels of garages (170 car spaces), one of which will be dedicated to the commercial aspect of the construction (60 spaces).

Each apartment is allocated two car spaces, for residents and possibly their guests. So there will be absolutely no off street parking. There will also be a big foyer downstairs.

"My idea was that residents could employ a person who would take care of the whole block - general maintenance, refuse collection, electricity and water meter readings, shopping lists. What I am trying to create is a different kind of living," Mr Zammit said enthusiastically.

The three towers - A1 is 11 floors, A2, the highest, 17, and A3 13 - are semi-detached. There are two apartments on each level. The kitchen, living and dining area has a large terrace at the front; the three bedrooms have a smaller terrace; an entrance hall, en-suite shower room and main bathroom.

"You are not just buying an apartment, you are buying a concept and an address," Mr Zammit said. "Luxury apartments and concept projects usually take place in the north of Malta, where land is more expensive and property prices are costlier. This is an opportunity to enter a project at a lower cost."

Prices per apartment start from Lm58,000. The apartments, few of which have already been sold on plan, are finished to high specifications. This includes a solid mahogany main door, double-glazed external apertures for terraces, balconies and shafts, ceramic floor tiles inside and gres non-slip tiles in outside terraces, gypsum plastering throughout, skirting along the full perimeter of the apartment, two high-speed elevators, four- and eight-passenger ones, and numbered letter boxes and meter cupboards for services in lobby.

This is a dream project for 33-year-old Mr Zammit and his team, who said he always believed in it from the start and can really see it work. Judging just by the determination on his face, I personally think it will.