Fulfilling a vision in good taste

When George Fenech, 12 years ago, first came out with the idea of developing Portomaso, many people thought he was being unrealistic to even consider the idea and that the company was being too ambitious.

Today Portomaso is a reality and it still is the most ambitious development undertaken by a Maltese company. It is unquestionably not only the Tumas Group's flagship achievement, but a landmark contribution in Malta's luxury property market offering a lifestyle choice and in line with the company's reputation of setting standards.

All the components, which make up the Portomaso Destination, the Hilton, the Business Tower, the Residences, the Marina, have fulfilled the vision of the Tumas Group headed by second generation head of the Fenech Family, George Fenech.

Portomaso is not only a milestone in the Tumas Group achievements, but a major contribution to the country's image as a high quality destination. The same formula of setting standards has been applied by the Tumas Group, albeit on a smaller scale, on two other projects, one in the north and one in the south.

Tas-Sellum Residence, Mellieha, set on the tranquil seashore of Mellieha Bay is now nearing completion and 85 per cent of the 120 luxury apartments have already been sold to Maltese, English, Dutch and other foreign nationals.

Tas-Sellum Residence consists of a cluster of one, two and three bedroom apartments offering a luxury lifestyle literally by the water's edge. The apartments are built in clusters on different levels of a hillside flowing down to sea with the clusters positioned to maximise on the panoramic views, in some cases stretching to Gozo and Comino. Superb, sensitive landscaping and three swimming pools situated at strategic points provide recreational facilities and supplement the aura of tranquility.

Maurice Tabone, Tumas Group's property marketing director confirms that with Tas-Sellum Residence the company aimed to replicate the unique lifestyle experience, which has been so successfully adopted at Portomaso, but in a different location. "And once again we have succeeded." "We have once more selected an excellent location, strived to deliver a high standard and to ensure clients' satisfaction. We offered residents the option to finish their apartment to their individual tastes in terms of tiling, bathrooms, doors and other finishings."

Right in the opposite southernmost direction in Marsascala, the Tumas Group, this time in partnership with the Gasan Group, another leading name in property, Ta' Monita Residence is rising on a hillside on the northern shore of this picturesque and colourful bay. Aiming at setting new standards for development in the south of the island, Ta' Monita Residence covers an area of 16,000 square meters. The development shall offer studio flats and one, two and three bedroom apartments and penthouses along with a large swimming pool, a piazza and underground parking. The low building density, lavish landscaping and unusually attractive elevations shall go a long way towards upgrading the locality and attracting local and foreign individuals.

Incidentally, another interesting factor of this new complex is that it is, in fact, the sensitive redevelopment of a complex built in the 1960s rather than developing virgin land.

Mr Tabone, who is also responsible for the marketing of Ta' Monita, firmly believes that this development will contribute significantly to the enhancement of Marsascala as an up-market destination. The marketing of the development is expected to be launched later this year.