Lift conjured up from remains of Magic Kiosk

The magic of the Sliema kiosk has transformed the former unsightly restaurant's turquoise aluminium structure into a three-storey lift in Paola.

The aluminium and glass collected after the controversial kiosk was dismantled in February was used to create a lift for an apartment block housing people with an intellectual disability.

Ronald Galea, the administrator of voluntary organisation Fondazzjoni Wens, came up with the ingenious idea of reusing the aluminium and glass in the block.

"I scour the newspapers very carefully to see where I can find items that can be useful for our organisation," he said.

Instead of asking for financial donations, Mr Galea prefers asking companies and organisations to donate particular items, such as furniture or bathroom tiles.

When the dismantling of Magic Kiosk hit the news, a light bulb went on in Mr Galea's head. The organisation is preparing three apartments in a block in Paola to house people with an intellectual disability.

The block had to be made more accessible for its tenants, which includes fitting and setting up a lift. "When I heard about Magic Kiosk, it clicked," Mr Galea said.

Even though the aluminium and glass should have been auctioned, together with the other confiscated items, Mr Galea made a few requests and was given permission by the government to use the items.

Using the glass and aluminium saved the foundation around €9,000, he said. The apartments will be completed in about six months and offer a home to nine people.

The controversial turquoise building was dismantled in February after eviction notices were issued following the expiry of the lease. The square was recently embellished into an open space with two fountains - a project that cost €250,000.

"I believe asking for items or the material is better than asking for money as people know how the items will be used," Mr Galea said.

And asking gets him places. Recently he needed to replace the engine of a coach used by the foundation. Instead of buying a new engine, he took the coach to Mcast where the students changed it.

"It was a win-win situation - the students got work experience while the coach got a new engine," he said.