By winter, visitors to Valletta should be able to sit on a bench in St George's Square, access wi-fi through their laptop and type away to the sound of water jets.
The €1 million regeneration project at the square, located in front of the President's Palace, is due to start on June 8. Works are due to be completed by the end of November, Resources Minister George Pullicino said yesterday.
For years the square has been used as a car park. But after planning permission was granted last Thursday, the entire piazza will be paved and pedestrianised. The road that runs in front of the palace will also be integrated into the square that will be closed off with electronic bollards.
Old Theatre Street will be tiled in lava slabs and closed to traffic that will be diverted to Archbishop Street.
A cluster of 14 water jets will ensure the piazza retains the water element that was first introduced by the Knights of St John when they managed to transport water into the capital. The inbuilt jets will be a modern version of the original fountain that was built by the Knights and moved to St Philip's Garden in the 19th century.
During the night the multi-coloured jets will spray water at different heights creating a spectacular feature.
The square, also known as Palace Square, will provide an open space where families can let their children run around in Valletta. Benches will be placed on the perimeters and modern lighting structures will double as wi-fi transmitters.
In order to retain the square's historic function as a parade ground, fixtures will be removable. When a parade or concert takes place there, the fountain can be switched off and fixtures removed.
Given that the Sette Giugnio monument was "intrinsically linked" to Parliament, Mr Pullicino said, it would be relocated to the new Parliament site.
The horse-drawn cabs (karozzini) that currently have a shelter in the square will not be allowed into the pedestrian zone and attempts are being made to identify another location for them.
Restaurants in the area will continue to operate and will be able to place street furniture on the square.
The ministry was working towards setting aesthetic standards for street furniture in the capital to ensure there were no more branded umbrellas or tables, the minister said.