The 17th-century building has been used as a military barracks and as a bakery but has fallen into disrepair. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

The old civil abattoir, located in one of the most dilapidated areas of Valletta, will get a €7.5 million makeover, transforming it into an international design hub.

The expansive 17th-century building, one of the oldest in the capital, is situated at the bottom of Old Mint Street, behind the Auberge de Bavière. Over the years, it has been used as a military barracks and a bakery but has since fallen into severe disrepair, as has much of the surrounding area.

But the area will now benefit from efforts to regenerate neglected parts of the city ahead of hosting the European Capital of Culture in 2018. Already, nearby private properties are undergoing renovation works and new boutique hotels and luxury businesses are making their presence felt.

Addressing the press outside the site yesterday, Valletta 2018 Foundation chairman Jason Micallef said the new Valletta Design Cluster would bring together students and design professionals and offer spaces for work and training as well as encourage the creation of new creative start-ups.

The centre will also offer residencies for artists and design experts, allowing assistance and collaboration between Maltese creative enterprises and providing an international dimension.

Works will begin this summer with cleaning and restoration of dangerous sections of the building, completion scheduled for 2018.

Mr Micallef stressed that the team had held workshops with residents and visited homes to address concerns and inform people further about the concept, which, he noted, had been warmly welcomed.

One resident, however, wanted to make a point and, taking advantage of the gathered press, expressed his concerns about the state of the roads in an expletive-laden rant as Mr Micallef gamely attempted to push on with his address.

Culture Minister Owen Bonnici said the design sector employed 1,200 people in 600 enterprises. Forty per cent worked freelance or in micro-companies, highlighting the need for support and dedicated spaces.

Dr Bonnici said the project would create potential for export and innovation as well as new opportunities for artists, designers and other creative professionals, especially young people.

The proposals have already met with some opposition. In a statement released yesterday, the Valletta Alive Foundation strongly objected to plans to turn Strait Street and the civil abattoir into 24-hour destinations.

Citing the impact the projects would have on residents, particularly late-night noise and parking problems, the foundation ex­pressed fears this would be “the first step towards the degeneration of Valletta into another Paceville”.

philip.lganado@timesofmalta.com