Fort Chambray has opened its doors to a bright and modern future, but it has a long and interesting past to talk about too.
About 250 years ago, Jacques de Chambray envisaged a grand fort and town overlooking Mġarr to protect the island’s inhabitants. Fast-forward to 2012 and that vision is materialising into the self-contained village it was originally destined to be.
It is not quite a case of history repeating itself, but the concept of the fortified, grid-like city remains as the fort enters a new era of luxury. The aim of the development is to combine its historical element with modern lifestyles, realising the original dream behind the Knights’ plans in a way that suits the present.
Back in the day, Jacques de Chambray had made an offer to Grand Master Pinto to use his fortune to undertake the building of the new fortifications and city at what was known as Ras-et-Tafal in Mġarr. In the 16th century, Gozitans’ safety against corsairs was non-existent, and in the eventuality of an attack, the only recourse was for the entire population to retreat within the walls of the Citadel in Rabat.
Following the Great Siege in 1565, the Knights of the Order of St John embarked on the building of more powerful defence bastions. But due to a lack of finances and other reasons, Gozo was left out of the plan and it took until the early 18th century for works to start, thanks only to the generous benefactor.
Barracks into boutique hotel
The true buccaneer had captured one of the greatest Turkish ships in 1749 and retired to enjoy his wealth and status. Until his death, he had already spent 40,000 scudi on the project and had bequeathed one fifth of his property to secure the completion of a town that was meant to house the Governor’s palace, a church and an administrative building.
That would be a pittance compared to the amount invested into today’s development, which includes about 300 properties, a mix of villas and maisonettes, some with private pools, south-facing, spectacular, unobstructed sea and country views, as well as two communal pools, one measuring 1,200 square metres.
The original town had never materialised as its need as a refuge in case of attacks was rapidly disappearing. Back then, an effort was made to sell the land to the public but it failed because the Gozitans had once again began to feel more secure in their homes.
Today, it has not been too hard for Fort Chambray to sell its properties: over 50 per cent of them have been built and 70 per cent of these have been sold. They range in price between €98,000 up to €1.2 million, the latter villas with a private pool, terrace and even their own guest apartment.
In 1761, the fort was lightly armed with 22 cannon to defend the channel between Gozo and Comino. Today, residents in the tranquil setting of the fort need only be armed with binoculars to enjoy what lies beyond the view.
In its 250-year life, the fort experienced only one brief military adventure in 1978 when it defended Gozo against Jacques de Chambray’s own countrymen, and during the first four decades of British rule, its importance diminished and it was used as barracks.
Together with the polverista, the barracks are now being converted into commercial outlets in the third phase of the upmarket development project, which also includes a casino and a deluxe boutique spa hotel. Permits for the last phase are expected shortly and the whole project is estimated to be completed within two-and-a-half years.
The imposing building of the Knights’ barracks is undergoing restoration to form the nerve centre of the development, to cater for fine dining and champagne cafés; and the clustering of the buildings is intended to create the environment of a village core, with a modern interpretation – and no traffic. Residential areas promise to be quiet, landscaped havens, while the commercial area should be bustling.
TBA Periti has been entrusted with the feat: the preservation of the site to create something that suits the future, giving it a new lease of life.
Fort Chambray was ready to attract settlers back in 1790. In 2012, another set of inhabitants are moving into the protecting bastions, most of them foreigners. Being a Special Designated Area, they can buy under the same conditions as the Maltese, they can rent out the property and purchase on behalf of third parties. They have the opportunity to co-own a part of history – one of the objectives of Fort Chambray.
The fortress has a more recent past too, and in both instances of its development, the projects took a while to take off. Chambray was steeped in controversy in the late 1990s, and for almost 12 years, it was a white elephant.
But in 2004, Michael Caruana, chairman of Fort Chambray Ltd, a modern-day Jacques de Chambray, took over the project. And the rest, they say, is history...