MEPA approves Gzira high-rise development

Dylan Chircop

Mar 27th 2009, 23:55

jien naqbel li ghandu jsir dan il-project pero mhux il-gzira ghax fejn bi hsiebhom jibnuh hemm ikrah u bini iswed tuta. ahjar jaghmluh jew tas-sliema jew st julians

oliver Cini

Mar 14th 2009, 23:15

Currently the area is just about nothing but dirty plots of house all black some of them not even with a litre of paint..
I understand that mepa did a very good job by accepting the project it will surely regenerate a small part of the ugly area. but on it's own will not be enough. a lot has to be done many roads in gzira/ sliema look like slams. Personally i wouldn't even dare to go live in such an area which esthetically is nothing but just a ( halata balata) of house /office although er with no style and road co-ordination. We need to re-structure no only the area but also the mentality of the people that just only because of old scrap mentality think that the future is there.
The future of this country is not ours but of our children and the children our there children.

carmen spiteri

Mar 14th 2009, 21:00

Ma nafx kemm se jcaqalqu l-ekonomija ghax meta ser jinbieghu dawn l-apartments kollha, araw ta' quddiem ic-cimiterju tal- Addolorata ghadhom kollha vojta u ghall-bejgh!!! Imbasta tellajna tlett towers!!

Joe Fenech

Mar 14th 2009, 20:58

Mr Caruana, high class people would respect the real nature of a country and wouldn't want to be in a high rise building. See what people with taste do with chateaux in France and country building in Italy and England. By high class I don't mean a sheik from Dubai who after all would rather buy an £40 million 'pad' (!) in central London rather than an apartment in Malta, but someone with taste - a spiritual man who loves art, and culture. Malta has become a dump and the maximum we could attract would be some foreign dodgy business man who want an address overseas! We are poor economically because we lost our soul completely unlike the real European countries like France, Germany, Italy, Holland etc. We're just the excrements of inherited British mentality.

John Caruana

Mar 14th 2009, 14:51

Well at last the project was approved by MEPA...We need this project because we can regenerate that area ONLY if high class people and business move over there. The pimps and prostitutes would then feel out of place!

So cut the crap and thank God we have these companies that input a lot of cash in these projects what would definitely stimulate the local economy....and we really need that as well!!

These apartments are mostly sold to foreigners as an investment or for retirement purposes. So one cannot compare this project to the number of empty houses in Malta. You should know that in these high rise buildings the government allows a foreigner to buy more than 1 apartment, something that foreigners cannot do when it comes to other local property.

So before you continue complaining....learn the facts.

Well done to Metropolis developers!

jcmicallef

Mar 14th 2009, 14:25

@i.visanich

got your point, and i don't balme you, but we've got to keep somewhat positive, somehow.

valid arguemt as what environment really. it's not just flowers and trees. it's being able to open a window for some fresh air and not having to switch on the kitchen lights from 9am just because some developer' (using other people's well earned money through bank loans and stocks) has built anyhting form a 3 storey blosk to a 20 storey monster.

Joe Fenech

Mar 14th 2009, 14:18

Who has ever heard of such a monstrosity thrown in a low rise buildings areas?!!!! Are you trying to turn Malta into central London, symbol of ugliness and mambo jumbo planning. At least look at France or Germany and LEARN!!!!

James De Giorgio

Mar 14th 2009, 12:09

Yes, but with all the empty housing and office units, do we really need this?

Ivan Visanich

Mar 14th 2009, 11:27

@ jcmicallef

Just wait and see what will happen in five years time.If you look at the site now it's a big hole,been there for more than a year ,all the advertising of metropolis and the regeneration of an era signage have been removed etc,etc which could be a sign that things are not going as planned.

@ julian caruana

Are you an environmentalist ?.Where do you live ?,not in Gzira for sure...Environment is not just trees ,it's also the way we live,the sun,the air we breathe etc,etc...Can you imagine a 33 floor apartment block in a road less than 15 feet wide....A shell form decent not midget sized 2 bedroomed flat should cost no more than Lm30,000...The price of properties needs to come down very soon.What's the point of building god knows so many flats when there are no potential buyers out there,and also why should we pay Lm 75,000 for a flat + another Lm 15,000 for a 1 car garage in non finished form when these would have cost no more than Lm15,000 together to build in the first place ?.Why do we have to spend 30 years paying triple what we've loaned from the bank ?.

Joe Fenech

Mar 14th 2009, 08:20

Is this the best we can do to pump money into the economy? Where's the long term planning? We're ruining what Malta should really be: a charming Mediterranean place - tourism will suffer!!!! Malta already has a reputation abroad that it's ugly, so don't make it worse.

Get creative - get Edward De Bono or who you want, but do something about your thick heads of yours!

Joe Fenech

Mar 14th 2009, 08:16

Scrap MEPA!!!!

Rumours have been going round that the gov's aim is to transform the country into the Hong Kong of Europe. Is that the best that they can do???? Why don't you replant some carob trees, blackberries, prickly pears and give the country it's original identity. Look at Italy and France and LEARN you bunch of dodos!!

Joe Fenech

Mar 13th 2009, 21:34

Fantastic name! Metropolis: because that's the kind of repressed society we're living in! See the Fritz Lang film!

Colin Camilleri

Mar 13th 2009, 17:29

A 60,000,000€ project. Can someone tell me if the apartments built will be sold with social and economic conscience in mind that the average person in the street can afford? Scarcely!! A small scale project in Paola compared to this, cost 5million € and the average apartment costs 150,000 MALTESE LIRI!!!! And that is Paola near the Cemetry, not Gzira near the sea. So Gzira will turn into what the rest of Malta has become, a relict of empty unaffordable houses where only the rich have the right to live and enjoy. Do you think gentlemen and ladies that with 40,000 or 50,000 pounds one can get a three bedroomed finished apartment at Metropolis?

Charlene Tanti

Mar 13th 2009, 14:15

@L V Clark
We complain and the people who are supposed to hear what the general public is saying about certain development is never listened too. there's supposed to be public consultation for projects like these but this never happens or the consultation is so short that people would not have time to give their opinion. As i have told previously, there are many people who have a lot of brilliant ideas how we can improve Malta and its product but they are never given any support.

As many are saying there are so many derelict accomodations that can be used why have we to build further apartments. It is positive that employment increases but the economy does not progress only on employment. These developers do not consider things how the citizens might be affected - they only see the financial input from such developments and Malta is not Dubai ......

d. borg

Mar 13th 2009, 12:24

I guess the people living behind this monster will never see the sun shining through their windows again.

jcmicallef

Mar 13th 2009, 12:09

@ ivan visanich

whoa! slow down, mate.

Some observations (especially about retail outlets) are quite valid, but...

criticising a project on basis of taste, looks, financing, etc is one thing but (almost) wishing for a disaster is quite another.

i hope you wake up from your bad dream soon enough!

jcmicallef

Mar 13th 2009, 12:05

@ ian galea - sorry for late reply

i'm sure they'll find buyers...but i am just curious when i see so many recently developed buildings (inlcuding tower road, sliema) containing empty apartments.

and let's all face it, lots of development is nothing more than recycling of money.

only justification is that by going upwards, we avoid more damage to the 'environment' than going sideways.

--- --- ---

Why these projects are approved so quickly? building is a source of employment, and developers have the govt by the...er...nose so, if the govt has intention to keep people employed (fair enough) the authorities have to reflect this ideal and major projects in troubled and lean times like the present cannot be turned down.

what bugs me is that there are so many derelict buildigns around that could be profitably rehabilited for those who are scared of heights... ;-)

Charlene Tanti

Mar 13th 2009, 11:25

I can't believe that such gigantic projects are immediately accepted by MEPA and out there, there are many farmers who have great ideas about transforming their fields into an attraction to get tourists to our island and they are told by MEPA that the projects that they have in mind are only for land speculation. And this project what it is .......

But it has to be ONLY IN MALTA these people have the money so they can do whatever they can and those who can't afford are not even supported for their ideas let alone helped financially.

Andrew Gatt

Mar 13th 2009, 10:49

So all you moaners and groaners would prefer the area to remain as it once was, full of prostitution, drugs and crime? This is REDEVELOPMENT of an ugly, shabby and depressed area, not the loss of more virgin countryside. Or don't you know the difference?

Julian caruana

Mar 13th 2009, 09:31

Some people really want to have the cake and eat it.

I bet all people against THIS PROJECT are all so called enviormentalist that want all countryside intact. Well wake up and sMell the coffee, this is the only solution to have more countryside . Go high rather than wide . that is the only solution.

Also first phase is all SOLD OUT so you better HURRY if you want an apartment here when the second phase is launched. AS LONG AS YOU CAN AFFORD IT and your complaints are only sour grapes. MAYBE YOU ARE ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT GOT A FREE PLOT OF LAND FROM THE GOVERMENT IN THE EIGHTIES!!!!

CANT YOU SEE WHAT PROJECTS LIKE THIS DO TO AN AREA. LOOK AT PORTOMASO AND THE AREA AROUND IT...
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
MR BARTHET WHAT CHARACTER ARE YOU REFERING TO EXACTLY??????? WHAT LANDSCAPE?????

Ivan Visanich

Mar 13th 2009, 09:19

Well done MEPA for the approval of another white elephant.I can see this project in 5 years time,bankrupt developer,half built,three ugly dark grey non finished brick towers resting like that forever and for Christ's sake,this project cannot be compared to Portomaso,Portomaso is close to the sea,surrounded by the Hilton,has a yacht marina and is built in a posh area,this project will be built between Rue D'Argens and Testaferrata ,Who will spend some eur 150,000 to live in a concrete jungle with no views at all,the same goes for those three towers built next to the cemetry,the block of flats in Rue D'Argens where the old Gasan Garage was,ask the suffering surrounding neighbours,their property value has gone down,they have to live in total darkness just because MEPA approves these type of projects.Savoy gardens,What gardens...Savoy concrete jungle would have been more appropriate....What the heck do we need more retail outlets...Take baystreet for example,shops changing owners every few months just because they cannot afford the high rents,the same will happen here,We are such a small country that we cannot afford to have such big building projects which at the end of the day remain unoccupied for years.

Joe Scerri

Mar 13th 2009, 08:42

Yet another highrise slum/pigeon hole monstrosity. 50000 vacant houses and rising.
What a mess.

s.sAMMUT

Mar 13th 2009, 07:36

Who will compensate the neighbours destined to live in perpetual darkness and deprived of legitimate right to access solar energy? Is Mepa reform in progress???Sheer nonsense. We have 1 in every 4 buildings lying idle and vacant and MEPA goes on approving more development. Whither MALTA?

Paul Smith

Mar 12th 2009, 21:23

Crazy crazy crazy
as the world enters it's energy decline MEPA sanction a big white elephant to consume energy you wont even be able to afford in the middle of the deepest and probably the longest economic contraction the world has ever seen.
utter Morons. Remind me not to buy any shares in the bank that is financing this white elephant as it will stand empty for years to come.
30,000 + empty dwellings in Malta and more apartments going up by the month, ponzi economics

a attard

Mar 12th 2009, 19:21

This is one area that can handle such a development, unlike the horrendous busietta 'gardens' project that is on all standards out of place AND an eyesore to an otherwise rural setting. However how come there is not a tree in sight according to the impression? Is MEPA planning a decent public park anywhere to compesate for such a high concentrating of people in the north harbour area with all the new high rises and other developments on the way? High rises are ok if they have green open spaces to compensate for concentration of people = more vehicles they bring about.

Nigel Lawrence

Mar 12th 2009, 18:21

Oh boy, MORE flats- that's just what we REALLY needed.

J. Zammit

Mar 12th 2009, 18:06

Do we need such high-rise structures? Will these structures enhance the environment?
Who's going to finance this ambitious project - the banks, the individual bankers, or the collective savings of the average citizen?
In case the Banks go bust, who will feel the pinch?
Do we need a repeat performance over here of what has been happening in the British financial sector?

L..Galea

Mar 12th 2009, 17:38

L V Clark
You can rest assured that you will have sewage flowing all over the roads.

Rebecca Anastasi

Mar 12th 2009, 17:20

@D. Farrugia: the tall tower at Portomaso is STILL an eyesore! We're not questioning the amount of business generated, only the way it is being generated. Surely, the business generated could have been garnered by developing the area in a more environmentally sound manner. It's a shame "success" is measured SOLELY on financial and commercial grounds when all aspects could have been catered for, if only for a better plan!

L V Clark

Mar 12th 2009, 17:05

First things first,

@ P Debono - I believe that such projects have to be done in new and fresh places and not always stuck in the same areas... Ok, it COULD be seen "ugly" on it's own, but was Paceville always as we know it nowadays? You have to start from somewhere!

@ J Chircop - Well, if you'ld like to think that every such project is a "conspicuous and figurative monument" then i suggest to stay on either Comino or in deserted places where there is no new projects and no new building and business being generated but stuck like old times. Also, Congratulations are not meant to be addressed to MEPA but to the developers!

@ Freddie Vella - Yes, i agree with you as in heavy rain that area would be like the river Thames but I hope that the drainage matter will be sorted as quickly as possible so as not to make things worse with this building.

@ The rest of the negative people out there - Instead of wasting time complaining, why don't you just dedicate that time brainstorming for new ideas and make them public? That's what we really need!

D. Farrugia

Mar 12th 2009, 16:59

@ Rebecca Anastasi: You have to start from somewhere or something, at least there is a start. Everyone is critisising the tall building and that it's an eyesore, look at Portomaso today how much business it generated...why this cannot be a success story too!

@ Mr.Finch: I still cannot understand what your problem is!

L..Galea

Mar 12th 2009, 16:38

Fiona Borg et al

This is environment DESTRUCTION not development.

Denis Catania

Mar 12th 2009, 16:23

Viva il-Gzira. Go Maroons. I always preached Gzira is the nicest place in Malta. Now we can prove it and make it even nicer. Now we need to get rid of the pimps, prostitutes and johns that come from allover Malta to do business in Gzira.

Fiona Borg

Mar 12th 2009, 15:43

@ Dr Clive Aquilina Spagnol

YES!! It is indeed Malta :) Things are finally improving, and we ought to thank Metropolis and other developers for such courage and initiative in investing in these projects which ultimately WILL lead to a better environment. Thumbs up to MEPA aswell!!

A Buscemi

Mar 12th 2009, 15:38

@ Matthew Caruana

This morning the FINAL permit for development was approved. The initial permit for demolition and excavation was approved when the works started of course.

Rebecca Anastasi

Mar 12th 2009, 15:06

surely we could have regenerated the area in such a way so as to be in keeping with the Maltese landscape? Malta does not have many high-rises and they just look ugly on a small island - why didn't they create a project which would do all the good without sacrificing on the aesthetics? For those commenting about the positivity of such a project: wouldn't it have been better to regenerate the whole area rather than place these eyesores on the landscape? surely the Maltese have more imagination than this!!!!

Chris Finch

Mar 12th 2009, 15:06

This is just like the emporers new clothes. Can none of those that are saying its a good idea see how ugly this building is? It looks like a cheap design which will use the cheapest materials.
Who would want to live there? It will also be seen from miles around which will make it stand out like the ugly sore thumb it will be.

D.Farrugia

Mar 12th 2009, 14:57

I do not understand why some of the Maltese are so dim on the regeneration of such area where still as at today only god knows what happens on those streets!

Also how can anyone be against improvement in this island and generation of new business and probably also new jobs...

J.smith

Mar 12th 2009, 14:46

To be honest....i am quite keen....on this. If anything....it will drive the property prices down even further....and the average man in the street might be able to afford better properties. Furthermore, I am not against such cohesive projects either...as they look nice and well finished once ready, and more often than not, do actually help to re-generate the locality...especially this particular project (lets face it it wasn't exactly....heaven...so little love lost) .....which is much more than can be said for the hundreds and thousands of 'waqqa dar u ibni flats' applications still being approved .....which in my humblest opinions...are what have really ruined and killed the image our villages had. But that is my opinion anyway.

Joseph Attard

Mar 12th 2009, 14:42

Hope they manage to finish it, not like the A3 towers in Paola. That is a very ugly sight!

Paul Barrett

Mar 12th 2009, 14:37

Totally out of character with the local landscape - what a shame.

I do hope that they have taken into account the possibility of earthquakes, rescue in case of a fire etc.

One saving grace is that it is not a residential building.

Matthew Caruana

Mar 12th 2009, 14:25

If the permit was approved this morning, how come the demolition and digging started ages ago?

Samuel Grech

Mar 12th 2009, 14:19

High rise building are a sign of progress...i just don't agree with the location some of these are located. They would look much better on reclaimed land! Let's take example from Dubai's projects. Reclaiming land would increase our coast line. Let's go higher and increase open space and green areas.

Dr Clive Aquilina Spagnol

Mar 12th 2009, 14:19

is it Hong-Kong or Singapore? OOOPSS no it is Malta!

Chris Mifsud

Mar 12th 2009, 14:18

@Chris Finch

On the contrary , this development is exactly what the area needs .

Besides generating employment , we will also hopefully see the area transform from what is at the moment considered a red light district where drugs and drug users seem to be around every corner .

With such an investment , the standards in the area will surely improve and it may finally be cleared up of all the prostitution and so on .

Ian Galea

Mar 12th 2009, 14:16

@ jcmicallef (...so for whom are we building all these structures???) ... Are you assuming that these developers are crazy enough to build 73 floors of property thinking there is no-one out there to buy them???

J.Smith

Mar 12th 2009, 14:14

To be honest....i am quite keen....on this. If anything....it will drive the property prices down even further....and the average man in the street might be able to afford better properties. Furthermore, I am not against such cohesive projects either...as they look nice and well finished once ready, and more often than not, do actually help to re-generate the locality...especially this particular project (lets face it it wasn't exactly....heaven...so little love lost) .....which is much more than can be said for the hundreds and thousands of 'waqqa dar u ibni flats' applications still being approved .....which in my humblest opinions...are wha have really ruined and killed the image our villages had. But that is my opinion anyway.

ALFRED BRIFFA

Mar 12th 2009, 13:58

Tafu tifirhu bil-gid u b'min ghandu l-kuragg fil-futur u f'pajjizu?!

Albert Bezzina

Mar 12th 2009, 13:53

Babylon 6?
Can all the world's fund manegers please occupy the top floors please... remember to lay down thick layers of absorbant paper on the pavements below. Have a nice flight.

Michela Attard

Mar 12th 2009, 13:52

Well, i am no MEPA fan but this doesn't seem like a bad decision to me.

At least, this project has the potential to become a destination - an address which one could look forward to ... as opposed to being scared of driving by at night due to all sorts of illegal activity which takes place in the area.

J Camilleri Baron

Mar 12th 2009, 13:47

I think this is a good decision taken by MEPA in that approving this project seems to me a direct measure to re-invigorate an area which has long been awaiting some serious investment to uplift it from Malta's red light district to a prestigious address.

Let's face it - having this lifestyle project so close to Manoel Island and a Yacht Marina is definitely suitable. And in any case, it is much better than what there is today.

C. Cachia

Mar 12th 2009, 13:39

Why are people so pessimistic? It’s a good project. No new building can look worse than any present building in Gzira. Congrats and good luck.

j.attard

Mar 12th 2009, 13:39

Who is going to live in these apartments. Somebody may buy them but there are not enough people around to go live in them and the other 75,000 units which are now empty waiting for a buyer.

d.micallef

Mar 12th 2009, 13:28

Other large development projects are still struggling to sell their luxury boxes. I really admire these developers for the courage they have for this huge 'investment'!

glenda bartolo

Mar 12th 2009, 13:28

Jealousy makes the heart beat stronger and the mind go slower and if you can t beat join them- So get rid of the jealous streak- it will only make you angrier

freddie vella

Mar 12th 2009, 13:21

I wonder what will happen to those already clogged narrow single lane roads during rush hour. Let alone air circulation in these tiny roads, and the effect on neighboring property and livelihood. And what about the Gzira drainage system, is it up to scratch to meet the new demand of this new compressed village? Mepa planning at its best.

joe chircop

Mar 12th 2009, 13:15

I would like to congratulate MEPA for this positive decision. This will definetely be a conspicuous and figurative monument in Gzira to remind the Maltese people of the high rise in the water and electricity tariffs. Somehow, we do have another similar monument (on a smaller scale) in one of our roundabouts in Luqa which also symbolizes part of our democratic culture. Well done for this innovative type of embellishment. By the way, do not forget als that artful masterpiece in Mscala refered to as Recycling Plant (for short RP - or RIP?). This really seem to be the year of innovation. Well done.

A Buscemi

Mar 12th 2009, 13:14

Since when the regeneration of a whole area can generate negativity??

Please...

This project will eliminate the dull sights in the Gzira area, offer more job and business opportunities, not to mention offer a wider selection when it comes to buyers who want to purchase a residence/ building in the regenerated area.

How about a safer area? Yes... that too...

Anyways... WELL DONE MEPA and Metropolis for finally taking the initiative in investing for a brighter Malta!

Fiona Borg

Mar 12th 2009, 13:11

I think you should all be proud. At least Gzira will be cleansed and regenerated with highly finished edifices like these. Who knows? Maybe one of your children will find employment at Metropolis as well that is why projects like these are being built

Jason Spiteri Attard

Mar 12th 2009, 13:06

Well Done Metropolis, This Project will generate more jobs, clean up and transform the area and boost up the Maltese economy. Well done once again.

Lawrence Bonello

Mar 12th 2009, 12:53

@jcmicallef

Put your mind at rest, Sir! They wil..............................................after the first accident!!

P Debono

Mar 12th 2009, 12:53

I would agree with this project and others if they were all in the same area, but the fact that they are not means that they look monstrous and ugly on their own.

MEPA should yet again be ashamed of itself, not that it is mind you.

I.Cilia

Mar 12th 2009, 12:49

Why are bloggers commenting against such a project

If such projects, that by the way generate a substantial amount in the local economy, need to be approved, it would have to be done in such areas, as opposed to more rural locations.

I think that MEPA has done a careful and considerate decision. And to me it seems right.

And anyway Gzira does need a bit of a boost in terms of regeneration. To me it seems that this location has fallen backwards in this aspect. It was always an urban area so why not allow such a project that will improve substantially its aesthetic appearance.

jcmicallef

Mar 12th 2009, 12:47

yeeee-haaaaa!

there we go again, reaching for the skies.

looks like the property developers are assuming that the (il)legal immigrants are here to stay, since the maltese reproductive rate is slowing down, so for whom are we building all these structures???

i hope they make a clear warning for any low flying aircraft.

Peter Aquilina

Mar 12th 2009, 12:46

DEFINITELY ............ANOTHER UTMOST UGLY SIGHT !!!!

Chris Finch

Mar 12th 2009, 12:34

And the uglification continues unabated. A glass, steel and concrete edifice completely out of character with the rest of the island.
Well done MEPA.

J.Bonnici

Mar 12th 2009, 12:32

God forgive them for they know not what they are doing.