Construction work on the first 12 apartments at the €20 million luxury rural community Ħal Sagħtrija in Żebbuġ, Gozo, will be completed by the end of this month, project leader Joseph Portelli told The Sunday Times.
Ħal Sagħtrija is a project developed by Menfi Ltd, a consortium of Maltese and Gozitan companies, including AM Mangion Group and Mr Portelli's Portelli Projects. Menfi Ltd is chaired by AM Mangion Group chairman Alfred M. Mangion.
By seeking to blend modern living with traditional Gozitan life, Ħal Sagħtrija is one of a kind. Set on 13 tumoli of land of which two peripheral tumoli will be occupied by 75 apartments and duplex penthouses, Ħal Sagħtrija will allow residents to enjoy Gozo "at its best", Mr Mangion said.
Ħal Sagħtrija's terraced grounds, complete with its own curious rock formations and numerous carob trees, will feature planted allotments, a stone oven for traditional Gozitan baking, a wartime shelter converted to a wine cellar, orchards, a lawned picnic and barbecue area, a horse paddock (complete with horse), traditional giren where residents will be able to keep pets, and a water feature.
All areas on the hillside will be separated by traditional, hand-built stone walls, and walkways will be illuminated by 70 candle-lit lamps which will be tended to by grounds staff. Tree houses are to be assembled on a 500-year-old olive tree sitting amid a children's play area.
Ħal Sagħtrija's extensive grounds will be manicured by a team of local farmers - the land has been barren for 33 years but 18 months of planting has already resulted in a transformation, Mr Portelli added.
Residents will be asked to pay a nominal annual fee for the upkeep of the grounds, in return for which they will be able to enjoy the fruits of the allotments and press olives seasonally on site on the central pjazza where the community will be able to hold their own get-togethers. If they are up early enough, residents may walk down to the chicken coop and collect freshly laid eggs. In the evenings, they can challenge each other to a game of bowls on the purposely built pitch.
The elevated residences, served by underground garages, all face the panoramic views of the Gozitan countryside framed by extensive seaviews. Residents will be able to take in the magnificence of the area as they relax within the grounds, which will be dotted in some spots with all-weather benches and stone tables for casual suppers hewn from Qala rock. Ample shade will be provided by over 380 trees and vines.
Designed by architect Ray Demicoli with the collaboration of structural engineer Arthur Apap, the residences, starting at 130 square metres, boast open play layouts and are to be flooded with natural light.
The groundfloor apartments sit poolside: lined on one side with decking, the lagoon-style pool will boast three 'beaches', a water feature and jacuzzi. The water will be naturally filtered by a system designed by British and Belgian engineers. On the upper floors, apartments will have large terraces, while the duplex penthouses come with a private pool or jacuzzi.
Common areas will be served with lighting generated by photovoltaic panels.
Ħal Sagħtrija was recently launched in Malta at the HSBC Property Expo, after being well received at the 'Place in the Sun' property event in London, Mr Portelli said. Some residences have been sold.
Ħal Sagħtrija will be completed by the end of next year.