As I enter this Madliena home during a hazy springtime dusk, I’m immediately stunned by the sea view, offset by a gleaming infinity pool. It’s clear that someone with precious design experience has been at work here – in fact, this unique penthouse was renovated and is owned by well known interior designer Jean-Marc Bianchi.
The Bianchi family moved here from a large house of character in Lija. As the children grew up and flew the nest and the maintenance of the house was proving to be an endless task, it was eventually time for a change. Jean-Marc had been brought up in a traditional Sliema townhouse with a sea view and he longed for the sea. When he viewed the Madliena property, he was mesmerised by the grandiose views spread in front of him.
“The place presented itself to me,” he says.
The sea is an integral part of this property and I feel completely enveloped in it while sitting in the huge, high-ceilinged open plan living room.
I’m then taken on a tour of the apartment. The master bedroom is an enormous sanctuary that feels both spacious and cosy at the same time. It has a front terrace with breathtaking views, and also a terrace behind facing the street below. What is very extraordinary about this bedroom is that it has a slanted wall on the street-facing side, which creates a feeling of being on a sea vessel. This, I’m told, was done for heat reduction purposes. During the construction stage, it was observed that in the afternoon, the sun lingers on the rear of the property so the architect decided to create slanting glazed walls to avoid the heat and also to coincide partially with the nautical theme that runs throughout the house.
The maritime theme is subtle yet evident as I walk around the penthouse. From the slanted walls at the rear of the property and the porthole-like features scattered around, to the hidden storage areas and the feeling that you are surrounded by the sea, everything gives the impression of being on a cruise liner. This was the previous owner’s intention – in fact, he called the property “Oceanica”.
During the construction stage, it was observed that in the afternoon,the sun lingers on the rear of the property so the architect decided to create slanting glazed walls to avoid the heat
The property was originally a single house that was later converted into a block of apartments. The owner had commissioned architect Alberto Miceli-Farrugia to take care of the renovations. From a homeowner’s view, the family are extremely happy with the work that had been done – the concept was good, the highest quality materials were used and from an interior designer’s point of view: “The lighting adds element of interest and effect and overall it was very well put together.”
“The selection of materials used are top quality,” says Jean-Marc. The woodwork, marble and internal finishes are exceptional, as is the craftsmanship.
The marble used is one of the most prominent features of the house.
“Not one single ceramic tile was used,” Jean-Marc confirms.
The previous owner wanted to use the finest quality materials and was not prepared to cut corners. One of the four bathrooms in the property has floor-to-ceiling giant green slabs made of very distinctive marble called verde Guatemala.
Along with the use of superior marble, the property boasts many outstanding features that were put in during the construction stage. These include solar heating with panels on the extensive roof area, a five-car unshared garage, a panoramic glass lift, floor-to-ceiling glass panes, enough apertures to allow ventilation and breeze, and an internal wood-burning fireplace.
The youngest of the three children shows me into her bedroom, which was built specifically for her during the renovation of the property.
Originally, the master suite had a walk-in wardrobe and an outside area where the air-conditioning units were placed. The family required a fourth bedroom so the walk-in wardrobe was converted into a custom-made en-suite, exactly to Jean-Marc’s daughter’s specifications. The area where the air conditioning units were placed was transformed and roofed to become the fourth bedroom.
I ask the family about the next project for their home.
“An art studio for me on the roof,” says Jean-Marc’s wife.
After moving to their new home, the sea views inspired her and she painted a series called See the Sea, which she exhibited successfully at the Royal Malta Yacht Club. There is a very large open space on the roof that would be perfect for the studio and an outside staircase can easily be created from the lower terrace to the roof.
This property was clearly designed with the purpose of making the best of the infinite views it enjoys, with the extensive use of glass and the understated nautical theme running throughout the penthouse. The later renovation made it as family friendly as possible and provided each family member with their own personal space, which is a must when moving from a larger property to one that is more contained. The renovation that has been carried out is seamless and the future renovation project will add even more of the owner’s appreciation of the sea to this spectacular apartment.