Two new towers planned for Gzira

Two towers rising to a height of 33 and 27 storeys will soar above the skyline after a company was granted permission to develop a site in Gzira.

The development will dwarf the 23-storey Portomaso tower in St Julians, currently the tallest building in Malta. A third high rise building will be 13 storeys high.

The major development was given the go-ahead by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority on Wednesday.

In a press release, Metropolis Developments said the "long awaited" outline development permit would "spark off the urban regeneration of a central area".

The large site fronts four streets situated metres away from the sea fronts of Gzira and Ta' Xbiex. It will replace a building formerly occupied by Mira Motors Limited in what is currently a rundown area.

The company said its vision was to further encourage high quality redevelopment in the vicinity. It has already embarked on an overall regeneration plan of the area involving "the participation of other companies that share the same vision for the total upgrading of this centrally located urban centre".

It said the development would be a "quality landmark high-rise" building with four levels of underground parking together with offices, ancillary lifestyle facilities and a mix of spacious residential units. The residential section of the development will include a varied selection of one, two and three bedroom apartments, "sky villas" and penthouses.

Each residential unit will enjoy unobstructed views of Manoel Island, Sliema Creek and Valletta from the terraces with all other rooms enjoying what the company said would be impressive inland and distant sea views.

Metropolis Developments said it was working together with the Maltese Architectural firm EM Architects, with Edwin Mintoff as lead architect, UK Design firm GMW as design consultants and Capita Symonds (UK) as project managers.

The chairman of Metropolis Developments, Joseph R. Aquilina, was quoted as saying the project shall be a benchmark for the way forward for this area.