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An international architectural firm which yesterday issued advanced plans for a big new yacht marina and cruise terminal in Qala, Gozo, has admitted it made a mistake. The project is officially is still being adjudicated by the government.

The Milan studio of Chapman Taylor issued a press release stating it had been selected to design the 220,000-square-metre coastline construction development in Qala.

Contacted in Milan a spokesman for the architectural studio admitted the announcement “is a big mistake” pointing out it was internal information that had been erroneously divulged.

Asked whether it could mean that the Maltese government had already awarded the concession even though no public announcement had yet been made, the
spokesman replied: “there is no concession yet as the adjudication process is still ongoing.” (More on Times of Malta)

Yesterday, the design studio said the design is for a  €300 million cruise terminal and leisure complex in Gozo. The 220,000m² mixed-use project will be built within a former limestone quarry in tas-Simar. 

"Situated on the easternmost point of the island of Gozo, this innovative mixed-use project comprises of the construction of a cruise ship terminal, a contemporary yacht haven, residential apartments, villas, a retail & leisure promenade and a luxury hotel.

"The site was previously a large quarry, supplying high quality limestone, used throughout the Maltese Islands. Our design captures the highly expressive potential of the site, carefully manipulating the roughness of the coast line and blending it into the delicate Mediterranean landscape. The building designs exploit the stunning panoramic views from the cliffs," the architects said,

They added that the difficulties of converting an old quarry into a modern mixed-use scheme was an architectural challenge to look forward to but at the same time their design retained the site's delicate and harsh beauty.

"The marina will be excavated, the apartments will emerge from the cliffs, villas will be built and their terraced green gardens will cascade down to the sea following the natural slope. The original limestone rock will be the most important construction material and the source of all the architecture," they said.

They said the project is expected to start next year and earmarked for completion in 2022.

An international call for expressions of interest for the building and operation of a cruise liner terminal and a yacht marina in Gozo was issued by the government in June 2013.

Gozo Minister Anton Refalo had said the purpose of the project was to attract small to medium-sized cruise liners.

Six companies collected tender documents but only one bid was submitted, that of Kalamarine Development Consortium.

 

 

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