Restoration of unique house gets underway
Initial restoration works have commenced on Roseville, a unique house in Attard that showcases one of the finest and earliest examples of Art Nouveau in Malta, MEPA said today.
The works are being carried as a result of collaboration between MEPA and a developer to ensure that this distinctive architectural building is safeguarded, restored and re-used in a sustainable manner.
In January 2000, MEPA had issued an Emergency Conservation Order to protect the building owing to its architecture, especially its polychromed facade, the wrought iron railings and several other external and internal details.
A plan for restoration was submitted together with an application that included the construction of an old people’s home adjacent and on the rear of the property. Roseville will house the administrative quarters of the Home.
Roseville was built in the early 20th century as a summer residence. It was built in two phases; the ground floor in 1912 by architect Alessandro Manara and the first floor was added in 1921 by architect Emanuele Borg in the same architectural grammar of the ground floor.
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marlene pullicino
Oct 26th 2008, 21:10
This is great news indeed.I hope that a reasonable portion of the gardens are preserved and that the buildings intended for this venture are sensitive to the unique architecture of the main house.Palazzo Armeria is crying out for attention .Apparently its foreign owners are not being held responsible for the catastrophic effects their neglect has inflicted on this unique building.Historic houses like these should carry some form of national protection even if they are privately owned.
D.Axisa
Oct 26th 2008, 17:43
During mass today we heard that the Tarxien Parish Church has been waiting for more than 2 years for the necessary permits from MEPA so that restoration on the church's facade could begin!!!!!!!!
Surely permits for restoration shouldn't take so long......this isn't a building being demolished for new ones or a disco permit, but to restore a depilated faced which needs urgent taking care of.
D Schembri
Oct 26th 2008, 06:51
What about the deplorable situation of the Palazzo Armeria at Zurrieq?? This once majestic palace even housed Napolean during his short stay in Malta and it is now falling apart - how about restoring to its former glory?? It used to attract tourists like magnets lin the 70s but is now falling to bits -I think MEPA should issue an Emergency Conservation Order to protect the building from a deplorable end...,what a pity!!
Astrid Vella
Oct 24th 2008, 18:48
If I'm not mistaken Casino Notabile had been restored not long ago, but it's position makes it extremely difficult to maintain. Vehicle exhaust is pollution is lethal to old stone as it reacts with moisture and calcium to form that 'black crust' on buildings. It seems like its only dirt but in fact the stone starts to crumble behind the black stains.
Situated at the top of that steep hill where cars rev all the way up makes the Casino's maintenance an major headache.
Mario Sciberras
Oct 24th 2008, 17:06
@ William Attard McCarthy
Thanks for directions.
mario zammit
Oct 24th 2008, 17:02
Excellent undertaking. But somebody please do the same on Casino Notabile at Saqqajja Hill. It's only a matter of days I guess, and we'll soon hear of parts falling to ruin. That would be a real pity. Casino Notabile is a gem in its own right.
Lillian Sciberras
Oct 24th 2008, 16:22
Well done to MEPA on this one, and to the as yet unnamed developer. Could this signal the start of developers turning their energies towards the rehabilitation of the numerous architectural treasures around us? Would I be too optimistic to suppose that, once restored, such gems may increasingly be perceived by prospective buyers as unique quality homes? Would I bed too optimistic to imagine the trend continuing?
Astrid Vella
Oct 24th 2008, 16:03
Well done MEPA! We have been pressing for the restoration of this house, said to be Malta's only Art Nouveau country villa, for the past two years.
It must be appreciated that MEPA's Integrated Heritage Management Unit do not have an easy role, however this sort of action helps to rebuild the public's confidence in MEPA. How about Villa Alhambra in Sliema and Villa Guardamangia in Pieta next, as they are both scheduled properties that are being left to deteriorate, possibly in the hope that the elements will hasten the demolition that MEPA has refused.
Now that the Dark Ages are starting to lift and we are seeing a MEPA that is much more pro-active on heritage, could the authorities please work on activating the Heritage Fund to give financial assistance to owners of scheduled properties. How can the owners of a place like Balluta Buildings possibly fulfil their legal requirements to maintain such a monument, without help from the State?
Kevin Mulligan
Oct 24th 2008, 14:32
Its all good news...let's hope garden is preserved too.
D M Sammut
Oct 24th 2008, 14:11
This is great news! I love that house immensely and it's a shame it was left in shambles for so long. Well done to the developer! I hope that the adjacent buildings will be built in the same style or show similar features so that they merge with the main house and provide a continuum. Next...restoration of Balluta Buildings please...
William Attard McCarthy
Oct 24th 2008, 14:07
@ M Sciberras:
Park near San Anton Gardens and walk along the road by the side of San Anton, then turn left and walk all the way down. The house is the last one on your left; there are some amazingly photogenic properties down that road...that is, if you're an avid architecture photographer like myself
M. Tabone
Oct 24th 2008, 13:47
Well done but in my opinion the house and also its garden should be preserved........so pls no more destruction of mature gardens found in such beautiful houses!!
Mario Sciberras
Oct 24th 2008, 13:30
In which part of Attard is this house located?
Mariella Prosperi
Oct 24th 2008, 13:27
Prosit prosit! What a refreshing bit of news. This house is really beautiful and it was such a pity to see it rot...Very well done.
Pamela Hansen
Oct 24th 2008, 13:09
Prosit Mepa. It is a shame that we do not know who the developer is. Whoever it is deserves publicity for preserving this wonderful building, which should inspire today's architects.
M. Vella
Oct 24th 2008, 13:01
Thank God common sense is finally prevailing when it comes to restorations and architecture.
All we need now is someone to wake up at Mepa and start realising that places like Republic Street in Valletta would be a great gem to walk through, if it were not for the shop windows/facades making use of plastic, multicolored, ugly screaming signs. Next time you walk through Republic Street look up and look at the beautiful buildings from the first floor upwards .. Would it not be nice to see history restored in full again instead of white-red bank signs?