Prime Minister Joseph Muscat was given a warm welcome by a crowd of people in Cottonera this morning when he visited the buildings alongside Dock 1 which will host two faculties of the American University of Malta.

Dr Muscat announced yesterday that the former knights' workshops, a British-era building and adjoining spaces will be used to house part of the university campus.

He said the project would help create jobs and raise living standards in Cottonera.

Public access to the seashore and dock will remain open.

In a short address, Dr Muscat said the government would be mindful of the project's traffic impact on Cottonera. He said the site would be accessible from various areas, to avoid bottlenecks, and the investors would build a car park. He said the project would start as soon as possible following the necessary permits, with initial focus on the former British services building.He said a section of the knights' buildings which had been demolished would be rebuilt.

Dr Muscat was accompanied by a number of ministers, representatives of the investors, and architects. 

How the former workshops will look after rehabilitation.

The former workshops (left) which will be used by the new university.