The 19th December 2018 will decide the fate of Palazzo Perellos (PA 00877/18), built by Ramon Perellos y Roccaful, the 64th Prince and Grand Master of the Order of Malta from 1697 until his death.

Photo: Jonathan Borg

The palace, which is destined to become a boutique hotel, is situated opposite a large social housing block on St Christopher Street on the area that was once a slave prison during the time of the Order.

Before explaining what is hanging in the balance and before those who feel they have an indelible right to build anywhere and at any cost to the historic environment assert their position, it is a good idea to keep in mind that our collective heritage (which this building most certainly forms part of) is a shared heritage.

Everyone should be able to participate in sustaining our historic environment for ourselves and future generations. Once we all fully understand the importance of sustaining historic buildings, we better understand what we all collectively stand to lose if these buildings are hastily restored.

An insensitive conversion of Palazzo Perellos would not only have a detrimental effect on the palace in question but will also certainly affect the Valletta skyline.

Given that the location of the palace is on a corner on top of a hill in St Christopher Street, additional storeys would not only comprise the integrity of the building, it would disrupt the Valletta skyline and aesthetic as viewed from below on St Christopher Street and St Ursula Street, respectively.

In addition, the prospect of a roof restaurant and outdoor pools as the designated recreational ‘hot spot’ would undermine the residential area with noise stress. Residents have rights too, in case anyone has forgotten. Moreover, an insensitive conversion will have a deleterious effect on the surrounding buildings: on neighbouring property on St Ursula Street with a decorative sculpture by Andrea Beli, St Christopher Street, notably the Maison Shelley house (178, St. Christopher Street) and Palazzo Marina on St Christopher Street.

Pallazzo Perellos is irreplaceable.