The Exchange, Pender Ville's new concept for an all-inclusive financial centre, reflects Malta's profile as an ever-growing leading regional, European and international financial services hub. EU membership has provided the country with an important advantage in attracting foreign affiliate offices. This interest has, in turn, created a demand for modern custom-designed office space in central locations - something that the market tangibly lacks.
The Exchange will contribute in a direct manner to Malta's undersupplied 'custom-made' office market. Located at the Mercury House site in St Julian's, The Exchange will be a first ever one-stop shop of banks, insurance companies, consultants, wealth managers, legal advisers, audit firms and ancillary services. In an innovative luxurious setting, the high-rise building and job hub is to become the prestigious address for new business start-ups as well as for long established businesses.
It comprises 20,000 square metres of modern office space in three distinct buildings, just off Malta's main arterial road and surrounded by the majority of Malta's five-star hotels, The Exchange embraces a 2,000 square metre pjazza that is open to the public. It also includes a large underground public car park, offering 650 vehicle spaces, making for easy access. It also includes 7,500 square metres of retail and leisure space to complement the offices, while the exclusive and tranquil Pendergardens is just across the pedestrian bridge, making rental or purchase of residential units for office staff a great 'no commute' idea.
The Exchange and Pendergardens are an ideal way to achieve a work-life balance for today's professionals. Working and doing 'business unusual' at The Exchange can be perfectly complemented by work lunches at the centre's exclusive restaurants, or an after-office cafe or drink at a casual watering hole.
Letting off steam at the gym or indulging in a relaxing bath or massage at the spa can work off the day's tensions, as would be some retail therapy at the surrounding exclusive outlets. The centre is also minutes away from the hip bustle of Malta's nightlife.
Pender Ville Ltd chairman Edmund Gatt Baldacchino said: "With the assistance of leading British marketing and business strategy firm Pragma, we have ensured that The Exchange combines futuristic sustainable design with high technology. It gears up for the imminent challenge of building upwards while creating a '21st Century environment.
"The development is diligent about scale, protecting views, and reducing shadows," he continued. "The multi-million project will also employ more people, attract foreign investment and offer more services. "We want to create a buzzing town centre, operational eighteen hours a day, with a positive spill-over into the neighbouring entertainment area."
The existing Mercury House, Malta's first ever telephone exchange, will be restored and integrated into the development, as will be the Cold War vaults that lie underneath the site.