Ambitious Cottonera project unveiled

Claudio Cilia

Sep 17th 2010, 13:30

It's Because it is 2010 nearly 2011 and that type of design is considered as standard not futuristic.. be prepared for the next 10 years, design is changing a lot. If you don't like it, please remember that many other do like it and the world is going on that direction

victor pulis

Sep 4th 2010, 21:16

I'm starting to suspect that the architects let loose on our environment are Star trek fans!
The artist's impression for the project in Senglea opposite this one uses the same alien material and design. What's this crazy obsession with changing everything into a space age structure?

Pule' Carmel

Sep 4th 2010, 16:00

Do clean it up, but please do not kill the soul and spirit that differentiate Cottonera and the three cities from other districts. In Malta Architects have already killed and maimed too many souls as they did in Sliema, Gzira, Bugibba, St Paul, Marsascala, Tigne.
Incidentally, the vision of a few arches, is much softer on the human eyes than a lot of skewed columns looking as if they had too much to drink! There is a little bit of Rome in the upper photograph, but in the lower, there is the spirit of a disinfected and steralized medical clinic, with the latest bleech and cloroforn applied to ensure everything is DEAD with no imperfect human character still alive, and perhaps a touch of the space age to come in the very distant future when sterilised and disinfected aliens come to reside in Malta. How ahout some Roman Romanticism in the designs applied to Cottonera! Do not change Cottonera into a modern Kuait!

Roderick Mamo

Sep 4th 2010, 15:59

Il- bod mill- politika li tifridna ahna il- Bormlizi ghalina jimpurtana biss li dan il- Progetti isiru ghall- ahjar ta' Bormla u ghar- residenti Bormlizi. Ahna dejjem emminna li l- progett tal- bacir huwa ic- cavetta biex Beltna tqum fuq saqaja!!. Irrilevanti min jaghmlu il- progett min huwa minn Bormla bhali u jghix Bormla bhali jaf li ahna l- unika belt fil- kottonera li m' ghadniex post fejn nirrikrejaw ruhna !!!

Joe Fenech

Sep 4th 2010, 14:50

It's a pity the model doesn't include all that junk in the background!!! It looks a shanty town in Iraq!!

Joe Fenech

Sep 4th 2010, 13:56

The Cottonera neads one thing:

to have all the slums and council flats that litter the skyline to be pulled down once and for all!

Before that happens, any attempt at embellishing the area would be useless. You can't polish a turd!

Jim Wightman

Sep 4th 2010, 12:51

There's nothing wrong with whats there now that a bit of tidying up won't do (embelishment in political speak).

But so much for the infrastructure what about the social structures. Is the regatta club going to be allowed to stay there or is it going to be another RMYC fiasco.

I know its only two races a year and regatta (as we know it) will never make it into the olympics but even that seems to be under threat with the extensions to the cruise liner facilities on Pinto wharf.

The modern building would look great if it was a national watersports centre but not a local regatta club (will they have to do the same for the other clubs?).

The two regatta events are like Malta's palio and could be good tourism draws, does Malta want or will it be able to do this with a 'Henley' style boathouse even if it is mainly bar/cafe now.

A. Dimech

Sep 4th 2010, 11:24

This is a joke, right? Rather than spend 9.3 million on what looks like an oversized bus-shelter, surely for a fraction of the price they could clean up the existing buildings, plant some trees, put some nice balustrades and still have enough money to fix up other areas.

Sometimes I think that everyone is ashamed of Malta's architectural heritage. Why can't they build something consistent with Malta's existing architecture? The same thing happened with the Valletta city gate: the govt is clearly more interested in having something designed by Renzo Piano than having a city gate which is consistent with the rest of Valletta.

Every government in power seems intent of raping Malta's architecture. The British didn't give a toss about gutting 500 year old buildings, the "perit" Mintoff is still ridiculed today for his famous Fort St. Angelo swimming pool and hotel complex among other things, and we have the Nationalist government to thank for those disgusting condominiums build next to the same fort.

J.Camilleri

Sep 4th 2010, 10:53

Gejja xi bawxata ohra tipo t-tejatru ta' renzo.

C Fabri

Sep 4th 2010, 10:10

They even changed the colour of the sea to compliment the proposed building. It looks like pool water. In my opinion, I prefer the current building but with some cosmetic touches like removal of rusty holdings, resurficing of pavement and so on.

Patrick Harvey

Sep 3rd 2010, 17:04

Whilst I am glad that there is a plan to revamp this particular area of Cospicua (I hope it is not a false promise as the previous projects) I would like to point out that the true progress of this city doesn't lie in one single aesthetic project. The EDUCATIONAL aspect, the HOUSING aspect, and the SOCIAL aspect of this city must be addressed CONTEMPORARILY if we really want to see tangible change. Any sole efforts will NOT YIELD RESULTS!!!

Anthony Grech

Sep 3rd 2010, 15:35

I am speechless! Why would anyone want to destroy what is actually a beautify bit of architecture with that faceless rubbish! It's as if we want to erase all traces of what is great about Malta so that our islands look like evveryplace else in this architectually devoid world. This has to be the laziest bit of town planning I have ver seen in my life. I pray that this project never happens as I would hate to see the ruining of anymore of our small islands.

Michael Grech

Sep 3rd 2010, 14:50

Horrible! Let's hope it is another project which does not get started

John Forster

Sep 3rd 2010, 14:16

Having spent two years 65/67 in the RN at Vittoriosa, it was heart warming to see during a visit as a tourist last year that very little had changed in this area, unlike other parts of the island which have been basically spoilt. Although understanding that Malta has to cater for the tourist to some degree I think the proposed development in this area, which looks more like a world war 2 rocket launching ramp would be another mistake.
Upgrading and renovation would keep the character and welcome feeling that Malta has,which is surely preferable to this ( development.?)

Daniel Mercieca

Sep 3rd 2010, 13:35

The Citizen’s Right to Accessibility! LOL! WHO ARE THEY TRYING TO FOOL? After closing the public road joining birgu to kalkara, closing the pedestrian there too and turning it into a private car park for the new flat owners (& erecting the stool monument infront of them), closing fort st. angelo, closing the foss public garden & its historical shelters... & allow squatters 2 claim various public spaces & making them their own fields/garages/boathouses/warehouses they come up with such project title!!

joe attard

Sep 3rd 2010, 13:26

Is it me or is the before view is a lot better than the future view . The ony thing that is wrong with the present building is that cars pass in front of it.

Ivan Cocker

Sep 3rd 2010, 13:24

Hope this is not gonna be another white elephant, as have been seeing sketches and designs of Dock No.1 for ages!

Tough I am nothing contrary to modern architecture, as surely that area needs to facelift as we have seen the London docks, still nothing has been mentioned what the original Knights and British dock warehouses gonna happen to, and also Dock No.1.
Till date only embelishments and facelifts we see and a proabable enlarged marina!

Regarding Verdala Barracks, it has been already a sin changing it to a residential area, so why regenerate it in some new modern honeycomb ... this is the way to preserve our military architectural heritage? Shame!

A. Mallia

Sep 3rd 2010, 13:15

U int ha tghid ghal-orizzont qed li thammeg in-nies?? Ghax ma tarax il-pastazata ta Nazzjon li alla jbierek qisu kollox miexi fuq ir-rubini?? Ghax ma tarax kif b'mod strategiku u mxawwat, ddawar zball tal-gvern fuq haddiehor???Nahseb hadd m'ghandu ghalfejn jilbes ta qaddis ta! Raggiera jonqoskom! U lanqas in-nazzjon ma tahli linka..ghax flok tikkundana u tammetti l-korruzzjoni li hemm fil-partit taghkom, giet tikteb title mdaqqas illum "Il-Laburisti favur Nikki Dimech!!!" meta dawn astjenew f'vot totalment partigjan li kellhom jiehdu l-kunsilliera biex itajjru lis-sindku minn hemm!!
Rigward il-progett...sa fejn naf snin ilu (jidirli fl-2001) kienet saret esebizzjoni fil-bacir numru 1, ta sitt progetti proposti mill-gvern. In-nies tal-Kottonera kellhom dritt jaghtu l-opinjoni taghhom, billi kull min mar ghal esebizzjoni seta "jivvota" ghal proposta favorita tieghu...tipo ma setghax saret xi haga simili?? Min iddecida li l-kazin tar-regatta ta Bormla jinbidel f'garax PIANO style?? u l-imhazen tad-dghajjes tar-regatta (illum il garaxxijiet il blu) xha jsir minnhom?? Bhala Bormliz, jien kuntent li FLAHHAR se jibda dan il-progett, imma nahseb li wiehed ghandu dritt jinkwieta fej tidhol belt twelidu hux hekk??

David Aquilina

Sep 3rd 2010, 11:15

@ C.Fabri
Kemm se jdumu jgibu fuqu dan il progett ta l-orizzont. Mhux ahjar igibu fuqu met jkun lest, jekk jitlesta. Nibzaw ghall-inka my friend !!

A. Mallia

Sep 3rd 2010, 10:46

Jien Bormliz, u napprezza hafna ix-xoghol li ha jsir. Pero dan il-progett ilu il-halq tal-politici ghal kwazi ghoxrin sena shah! Kien fl-1996, li twieghed l-ewwel darba li ha jsir xi haga...wara dik l-elezzjoni saru 4 elezzjonijiet generali ohra. U dan il-progett twieghed f'kull elezzjoni li saret minn 1996 l'hawn!! Voldiri dan twieghed 4 darbiet b'mod differenti fi hmistax-il sena! Tipruvawx tuzaw dan il-progett, b'mod politiku, biex tghidu li l-PL m'ghamel xejn ghal dawn in-nahat! Forsi m'ghamilx progetti bhal dawn...pero HUWA FATT..li ghen lil Bormlizi fi zminijiet difficli ta wara l-gwerra!! Bena BORMLA u l-KOTTONERA mfarka ta wara l-gwerra! Dak xi ssejjahlu allura? Maqjel?? Mhux progett ukoll?? Taf li ilna 15 il sena nisimu li ha jsir dan il-progett?? Ma tridx ngiblek l-pjanta li baghat il-PN qabel l-elezzjoni tan-1996, lir-residenti Bormlizi bhala propoganda hux?? Taf kemm hu differenti dak li gie propost illum?? Dan farka hobz fejn dak li gie propost fin-1996!!! Minn tant il-monument tal-helsien ha ssemmi?? Tak f'ghajnek, ghax hu monument tal-helsien? Jew ghax qieghed quddiem il-knisja?? Fuq kollox bhala MALTI nipreferi monument ta Malta hielsa fil-birgu, milli garaxx jiswa 80 miljun ewro fid-dahla tal-belt kapitali!

C Fabri

Sep 3rd 2010, 10:29

Tinskanta hux la l-Orizzont (il-gurnal indipendenti ta' kuljum) u lanqas il-One News ma semmew xejn fuq dan il-progett!!! Tinskanta hux!!

Joseph Aquilina

Sep 3rd 2010, 09:39

Although I have to agree on more investment such as this one in the south of Malta, I cannot stop myself from observing that the architectural design of this building has nothing to do with our Maltese heritage. We are a small country and we should aim to do things in an original way. People come here and see the same modern architecture they find at their boring (grey) cities. We should give them something original, something Maltese, something that they will remember for a life time. That building has nothing Maltese in it! It’s without a soul! Just concrete that continues to feed the current trend of building without thinking. St.Pauls Bay, Sliema and many other localities have already been ruined by the current building frenzy. Let us not do the same with other localities such as this one. Let us think and build something Maltese for the Maltese! All it takes is a little bit of research and some original ideas! Do we not know how to do this anymore in this country?

Patrick Farrugia

Sep 3rd 2010, 09:11

The only thing that I like from the proposed picture is the colour of the water. But I suspect it won't be changed.

Daniel Mercieca

Sep 3rd 2010, 09:00

At last. i remember reading in the papers about this Dock 1 project 14 years ago before i moved here from Sliema. Since then all that was done was replacing the stone wall with a useless gadget - ie. high metal bars. Looking at the rendering included here it seems like the project wasnt worth the wait! The only pleasant thing about it is the removal of boats (I suppose they're not really the bleaching the sea!) If it took 7 years to build the metal gate, will it only take a year to build canopies around the buildings? Is there a website with more pictures of the project? What will happen to the arches along the bormla - birgu waterfront (the blue doors in the photo included and many others to the left of the regatta club)? The last of these spaces was squatted last month and turned into another garage/warehouse. If the residents were really warned about the project, would they steal this space now?! Shouldnt the council be dealing with these real problems instead of closing the public 'foss' garden
cos they found a couple of syringes??

Victor Laiviera

Sep 3rd 2010, 08:49

What's the betting that this project will be used as an excuse to get rid of the Freedom Monument, just as the retiling of St George's Square was used as an excuse to remove the Sette Giugnio Monument and dump it in some obscure corner (where it will remain, despite all the empty promises)?

Time will tell.

a. taliana

Sep 3rd 2010, 08:42

Looks like another rubbish 1960's Valletta City Gate project. Just Cheap and Ugly. How can one imagine that this is all that the architects could come up with? And what is the space below and around the ramp going to be used for? A car park to accommodate visitors to the Vittoriosa casino? Imma possibli, ma nafux nghamlu haga wahda sura ta' nies ghall-Bormizi? Why not hold a competition between Maltese architects. They would definitely come up with a more creative and sensible design. We still have that chance.

p micallef

Sep 3rd 2010, 08:34

@ Andrew B Gatt - you are right. PN governments made many tentatives ( I presume you mean efforts) to upgrade Bormla. But they never turned those efforts into real projects. Just promises. A case in point is the several projects that have been mentioned about Dock No.1. If the Helsien Monument is not fancied by the people from Birgu, the present entrance to Valletta, a monument to the fascist era which was built bu the PN, is disliked by all of Malta.

victor pulis

Sep 3rd 2010, 08:18

May weknow who is the architect in charge of this 'project' please? is he the same one who designed the barrakka lift, the lighting on St. George's square and The monster next to fort St. Angelo? I have also seen the artist's impression of the proposed project for the Senglea marina just opposite of xatt ir risq and it is also a space age construction of concrete and glass.

Alan Cuschieri

Sep 3rd 2010, 08:02

Its looks horrible! Much better as it is!

Why replace something Maltese with a cold modern look??

J Micallef

Sep 3rd 2010, 01:27

Prosit sabih hafna dak id-disinn.... Renzopjanata ohra din!

Qabel ma jispicca l-gvern irid jaqsam il-kejk milli jidher.........

Pawlu Pace

Sep 3rd 2010, 00:27

@Franco Scicluna

U hallina Franco. Dejjem l-istess kantaliena f'kitbietek. Qatt ma ktibt x'sar f'Ghawdex f'dawn l-ahhar ghoxrin sena per ezempju. Facli tikkritika. Pero' qatt ma niftakrek taghti sehemek imkien.

Carmel Scicluna

Sep 3rd 2010, 00:00

Another modern blasphemy.

Dennis Zammit

Sep 2nd 2010, 22:38

Landscaping in San Gwann t'Ghuxa . . . . ha ha ha!!!!

Just because a small area which always needed to be cleared and never was by nor the Govt and neither the in-existant local council has been cleared?

Now, this small patch of land is being transformed in a 'recreation area'. Wow !!! A strap of concrete with a couple of benches overlooking a hilly main road; very healthy diesel fumes from the healthy buses and others. No swings for the kids, just a low wall and it is called a 'recreational area'. How about looking into the dictionary for a better explanation? Even the current works are a major problem to the residents with concrete on the road falling from the contractors' trucks, noise pollution from the works, and various other disturbances mainly concerning dust in the parking area and in the street not to mention the area around the trees just "cleared" (ha ha).

These tax payers expect more. It is no use boosting Gnien-Cottonera when the swings are always broken and not repaired or else the bus stop up the hill to San Gwann t'Ghuxa has been damaged for many months now.

joseph scerri

Sep 2nd 2010, 22:37

Why is it called the Cottonera Project?It should be entitled the COSPICUA Project as all the above mentioned projects invovled are all part of the city of COSPICUA. Is it a shame to mention COSPICUA?
As regards the area of number 1 dock, it should be stressed that the architecure of the knights warehouses and the dock itself should be preserved and protected and no ALTERNATIONS should be attempted. These are a masterpiece of its own.
The warehouses should serve as a maritime museum since history of shipbuilding and repair was an integral part of this area.
Above all, and this is of the most important aspect of all, this area should be a REALISTIC PROVE of all the HARDSHIPS WHICH THE GENERATIONS OF COSPICUA PASSED THROUGH being an integral part of this area.
U mela jigi xi hadd ighidilna ghax kien hemm progetti ohra li ma sarux. Malta ghandha tkun GRATA ghal BORMLA u il POPLU taghha minn dak kollu li ghaddiet minnhu matul iz=zmien.

m.zammit

Sep 2nd 2010, 22:25

il-lupu meta ma lehaqx l-gheneb qal li huwa qares u jekk qed jghidu dawk tal-P>L> li dejjem qedirdu f'din il-blog. Nistaqsi fejn kienu dawn l-individwi fis-sebghajnijiet. dak iz-zmien l-intina kienet tant qawwija li anki lil-istess laboritsti kienet qed iddejjaq. Min jiskongra irrid ikun pur jghid il-Malti

Tony Marsh

Sep 2nd 2010, 22:13

They're not serious about this are they ? Replacing something Maltese-looking with a completely uncharacteristic eye-sore cannot possibly be an option !!!! ????

D Mifsud

Sep 2nd 2010, 22:08

Tlift il kont ta kemm il darba issemma dan il progett tal bacir nru 1!! Dejjem l istess paroli dal pajjiz. Jahsbu li se jibqghu jitmejlu bin nies....Insomma bilhaqq diga ilhom hafna jitmejlu bin nies u jirnexxilhom. Dan il poplu jibla kollox. DIn bhall waterfront tal Birgu, kienu ggustifikaw il fatt li se jaghtu ix xatt b cens ta 99 sena ghal cucata billi qalu li se jghin socjalment l inhawi tal madwar u jzid l imjpiegi li jinghataw preferenza lil haddima tal kottonera. Issa il marina qaed tahdem b 16 il persuna biss!!! dik rigenerazzjoni!!! l aqwa li kien hawn erba min nies u gawdew sew. Ibla ibla poplu gwejjed

N. Bonnici

Sep 2nd 2010, 21:11

What a complete eyesore. Why is every old building/site getting demolished and turned into a modern structure? The picture on top as it is today is much nicer than the mass of modernism in the second picture. I suggest that the building stays and gets refurbished. Its much cheaper and the money gained can be spent on other things there. Please we do not want to see more modern/flat sights. Its so unattractive. Modern is not interesting at all. Where are the locals? That area is much nicer/attractive how it is today. It only needs a refurbushment. Please!!

Gerard Cassar

Sep 2nd 2010, 19:25

Why not engage Perit Enzo Piano to plan the regeneration of Cottonera. I presume the Cotonera people pay the same prohibitive tarifs everybody pays. So there is no thank you. If there is money to be wasted Gonzi knows where it should go: to lower prices of essentials such as water and electricity, gas and so on. workers that were discharged rom the D'Yard will surely not be bemused by such antics.

Franco Scicluna

Sep 2nd 2010, 18:40

Once upon a time there existed a Master Plan for Marsalforn.I was one of those present in the planning stage.Most interested persons in the catering business of the island were present together with a civil engineer and experts.GTA was also present.I was invited as observer since I am always interested in anything that gives the island a better standing. It was also said that most of the money was comeing from the EU.
I was now informed not so long ago that this whole project was botched down by cabinet,

edward ciantar

Sep 2nd 2010, 17:37

Ugly concrete structure. Prefer the one above and upgraded. Infrastructure needs to stick to the locality. don't we have the modern concrete ugly apartments along the waterline. Is'nt that enough of an eyesore guys? Who is being impressed people?

Mark Bishop

Sep 2nd 2010, 16:22

I like the one at the top

Andrew Paris

Sep 2nd 2010, 16:09

Why are they building this eye sore instead of fixing up the old architecture. This area in 5 years times, with this new plan ,will become dirty and uninviting because it is not pleasing to be there. Where is the common sense?

p micallef

Sep 2nd 2010, 16:07

A labour government did not give Cospicua residents accessibility only but a roof over their head. San Gwann t'Ghuxa is a housing estate built during a Labour administration.

N.Lawrence

Sep 2nd 2010, 16:02

For a government with a serious debt problem, is this the way to reduce it?

victor pulis

Sep 2nd 2010, 15:58

can someone please explain what the two pictures show? i know the area as I was born and raised there but I can make nothing out of the proposed project. For instance what is that mass of stone resembling a bastion in the background? Why must we turn everywhereinto some modern space age structure? What happened to the proposal to turn the dock area into a craft village? What's going to happen to the knights' warehouses flanking the dock? is the dock going to be turned into another yacht marina? I am all for development but from past experience my heart misses a beat whenever I hear that a new project is about to start. Cottonera is a very sensitive area regarding heritage. Let's not create more monsters like for instance the one near fort St. Angelo...And speaking of the fort, What's going on behind those walls? For the second year the fort is to remain closed to the public on the 8th of September.

david aquilina

Sep 2nd 2010, 15:55

I am 36 years old, and been hearing this cottonera projects, revitalisation etc etc for almost 25 years. For how long do I have to wait for this project to take off?
Answers please

R.Borg

Sep 2nd 2010, 15:52

Thank you, Government.
The Cottonera Residents deserve it.

Franco Farrugia

Sep 2nd 2010, 15:47

No 'regeneration' of Cottonera is possible until and unless there is a great effort in improving the educational standard of the young and not-so-young inhabitants of the area. Every effort - which is still sadly lacking - should be made in order to involve every single young individual living in the Cottonera area. The authorities should go round, knocking on every door in the area, to bring in every individual in educational and training projects. This is the only way regeneration of the area can be made. The project unveiled is very nice, very attractive, but cosmetically only!

S. Fenech

Sep 2nd 2010, 15:35

We, as general public, are continously rejected any option to alter anything that is considered as heritage of Malta. We are asked by the authorities to adhere to the existing structure/s. However, for some reason or another, the government keeps altering into modern architectual designs places that have been part of the Maltese historical heritage. Why? I recently went on a boat trip around the port and the history it still bottles is amazing. Please, do not alter it. Refurbishment is suffecient!

Gianninu Saliba

Sep 2nd 2010, 15:33

What was that? What did you say, Joseph. Did you say that the PN neglected the South? Shame, they are really making you look like an idiot. Take my advice, just shut up, you will not make a fool of yourself if you just listen and learn. There is plenty for you to learn from Dr. Gonzi and his government. It will take you another eight years to become a competent Leader of the Opposition. Do you think that the 'new progressive movement' will give you another chance of contesting another general election as their Leader in eight years time?

T Camilleri

Sep 2nd 2010, 15:31

L-elezzjoni qed toqrob.

P.Gafa

Sep 2nd 2010, 15:28

Oh well. This is the nth planned project for the cottonera dock area. You can never tell that this is the last and final project plan and promise to the people. It could be just another empty promise to the southern citizens especially that the electoral terms are nearly half way out.
We need to hang some more bait for the blind fish and in the meantime our close friends will get something in their pockets for plotting some software designs that once again will remain on that glossy printed paper, delivered in our homes from our taxes ... .. . easy money.

Joe Morana

Sep 2nd 2010, 15:22

I reiterate that Dock No 1 and its evirons (i.e wharehouses built by the Knights of St John for the Orders' own galleys' ) are ideal to host the Malta Maritime Museum.

One wonders why Heritage Malta is conspicuous by its silence regarding this proposal. Comments from Heritage Malta would be greatly appreciated

Clifton Aquilina

Sep 2nd 2010, 15:22

Can we stop build concrete eyesore buildings next to our heritage ....but something that compliments the old building around it .....

K.Anastasi

Sep 2nd 2010, 15:18

Deja-vu!!

chris camilleri

Sep 2nd 2010, 15:12

nice project. . . . would we still be able to kayak in the marina (As it's one of the best places with goodconditions we have on the island for flatwater kayaking) and hold races or its another 'facade' project for the rich people who berth their yachts in there? ? ? ?

s.grima

Sep 2nd 2010, 15:06

qed inxom certu riha jin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!