Government applies for 17-storey office tower

Malta Industrial Parks is to build a 17-storey tower on a vacant site in Mriehel, in the vicinity of the Motormedic and Methode factories along Triq is-Salib in an area presently used as a car park

The tower will be used for offices, retail outlets and food and drink establishments.
The tower will be used for offices, retail outlets and food and drink establishments.

The government’s industrial estate corporation, Malta Industrial Parks, is to build a 17-storey tower on a vacant site in Mriehel, in the vicinity of the Motormedic and Methode factories along Triq is-Salib in an area presently used as a car park.

MIP applied for a permit to construct the tower, in an area now designated for high-rise, to also include five levels of underground parking for 175 cars.

The tower will be used for offices, retail outlets and food and drink establishments. 

MIP applied for a permit to construct the tower in an area now designated for high-rise
MIP applied for a permit to construct the tower in an area now designated for high-rise

Plans submitted by architect John Rizzo Naudi refer to a design concept which “achieves complexity through layers of simplicity” and which “moves towards dynamism” by “creating forms with structures.” 

Only a year ago, the Planning Authority approved the Quad Towers, a €70 million development proposed by the Gasan and Tumas business groups near the Mriehel industrial estate, comprising four cylindrical towers of 14, 16, 17 and 19 storeys respectively, overlying five basement levels.  

Mriehel was designated as an appropriate location for high-rise buildings after the close of the public consultation on the PA’s policy on tall buildings.

Mriehel was designated as an appropriate location for high-rise buildings after the close of the public consultation on the PA’s policy on tall buildings
Mriehel was designated as an appropriate location for high-rise buildings after the close of the public consultation on the PA’s policy on tall buildings

This meant that the public never had an opportunity to object to the designation of Mriehel as a high-rise zone. An appeal against the approval of this development is still pending. Moreover a masterplan for Mriehel has not been concluded yet. 

Mriehel was not previously considered as a high-rise zone because of the possible impact on iconic long-distance views – including views between Valletta and Mdina.

Another high-rise development – this time consisting of a 12-storey development – is also being proposed on the site of the Meli Bugeja marble factory on the Mriehel by-pass. The private sector development is also being earmarked for new offices.