Tigné's major commercial and entertainment centre should open by spring 2008 if all goes according to the plans of the Midi Consortium.

This is expected to coincide with the completion of the Lm1.1 million restoration of Fort Tigné that once opened will be the first historical attraction in Sliema.

Midi's chief executive officer Benjamin Muscat explained that the plan was to integrate the fortifications into some form of live attraction.

The fort and the Garden Battery are expected to be part of a heritage route starting from Qui-Si-Sana passing through the foreshore of Tigné north.

Mr Muscat, together with Urban Development Minister Jesmond Mugliett, Midi chairman Albert Mizzi and consultant architect Alex Torpiano, yesterday visited the fort to see the extensive restoration works.

"The revitalisation of historical assets such as Fort Tigné gives a distinctive edge to a regeneration project - an edge that can also provide a competitive advantage in attracting foreign investment to Malta," Mr Mugliett said.

The renovation and revitalisation of the unique 18th century edifice is part of the Lm140 million Manoel Island and Tigné Point Development project embarked upon by Midi.

Fort Tigné was built in 1792 to the design of the Order of St John's chief engineer, Stefano de Toussard. Although it witnessed limited military action in its 200-year history, it has outlived three distinct epochs in Maltese and Mediterranean history.

Following the Knights' departure from Malta it was briefly occupied by the French and then garrisoned by British forces from 1805 until their departure in 1979.

During the latter period, the fort was consistently armed, refitted and altered to maintain its function as a machine of war.

"Although the restoration of these structures is one of the commitments vested on Midi, this is not being treated as a weight on the project but rather as an asset since the structures will be integrated with the landscaped parts of the peninsula," Mr Mugliett said.

He added that the government had a number of other regeneration projects lined up, foremost of which were the redevelopment of Fort Cambridge at Qui-Si-Sana - for which a brief has been issued by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority.

Other projects include the regeneration of the Schreiber area in Paola and the regeneration of the Dock No. 1 area in Cospicua, which is now at a developer selection stage. Work at this site is expected to be in hand early next year, the minister said.

Speaking about the potential of the Tigné site, Mr Muscat said that Midi had set out to create an attractive urban space aimed at reutilising the fort in its new peacetime context.

Proposals for the use of Fort Tigné, which enjoys unparalleled views of Valletta and Marsamxett harbour, include cultural and commercial activities which are sensitive to the historic environment.

All these different concepts would entail a thorough restoration of the existing structures, complete with the repair and reintegration of the 20th century gun emplacements as well as the creation of additional landscaped gardens, walkways and other public amenities.

Mr Muscat also said that Pjazza Tigné will be the commercial heart of the development where people visiting or working at the retail mall, offices, community services, boutiques and banks would congregate.

The addition of cinemas, restaurants, an art gallery and fashionable cafes will add to the ingredients required to turn the square into a vibrant hub of activity, he added.

Fort Tigné will become the first historical attraction in Sliema once the restoration works are completed. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

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