Spinola project earmarks more office and parking spaces

The already approved development consisted of four underground parking levels, a supermarket, a coffee shop at ground floor and seven overlying levels of offices and apartments.

A new planning application has been presented to enlarge the car park and commercial development in Spinola which was approved in November 2013.

The development is being proposed by Equinox Ventures, a company owned by architect Ray DeMicoli and his son Mark, and property developers Carmel and Anthony Gauci.

Contacted by MaltaToday, Ray DeMicoli explained that the changes were made after Equinox Ventures concluded negotiations on a property in the area and this was  included in the project, in a way which will have “minimal impact on the urban landscape”.

The already approved development consisted of four underground parking levels, a supermarket, a coffee shop at ground floor and seven overlying levels of offices and apartments.

While the new application foresees a reduction in the number of apartments from 22 to 10, the space for office provision will increase substantially from a floor space of 6,100 to 10,119 square metres.

Moreover, car park spaces are set to increase from 396 to 470, retail provision from 355 square metres to 700 square metres and the supermarket’s floor space from 2,000 to 2,621 square metres. 

The space allocated for coffee shop development will double from 355 to 700 square metres.

The proposed height of the buildings is set to increase by 0.45 metres to reach 40 metres. The justification for this increase in height was the need of revisions due to ingress of water during excavations.

According to DeMicoli the project is responding to a “huge demand for office space in Malta and specifically in areas like St Julian’s”.

However, according to DeMicoli, the project also responds to social needs.

“The car park and its location will help to alleviate parking problems in the area. We are also providing additional services to the community, such as a lift to the parish church, easy access from Lapsi Street to the Spinola piazza, unique retail and catering offerings and a supermarket.”

The 880 square metre increase in the site area is the result of the inclusion of five properties along Triq Lapsi. 

The proposal foresees the demolition of one of these buildings and an increase in the height of the other buildings. 

The gardens of all four properties will be redeveloped while the rear garden of one of the buildings will be excavated and reinstated after the completion of works.

Ray DeMicoli claims that the proposed buildings will have the “same impact on the gardens that the other developments had in the past”.

“It is an accepted fact that isolated buildings cause large blank party walls until the adjacent properties are built. This is the case with the current situation.”

But when the gaps are filled, the “view of this row of buildings from Michael Ang. Borg Street will improve”.

According to DeMicoli the project, which is set on a previously undeveloped forested area, has always been sensitive to the surrounding neighbours and the importance of “greenery and landscaping”.

MEPA has screened the proposal and concluded that no significant negative impacts will result as a result of the extension. 

DeMicoli insists that the company is open to amendments throughout the entire process.

“This is why we regularly consult MEPA, residents and other stakeholders, such as the local council and the parish church.”