Government buys former Downtown Hotel site for new Gozo law courts

The former Downtown Hotel will be the site of the new Gozo law courts after the government signed a promise of sale to secure the property and eventually build a new courthouse.

The acquisition marks a significant step toward replacing the island’s long-outgrown judicial facilities with a modern, accessible complex designed to meet contemporary legal and community needs.

The hotel site was chosen following an extensive public market consultation launched in November 2022. Eleven submissions were evaluated against criteria such as location, accessibility, size, legal status, safety compliance, redevelopment potential and value for money.

The Rabat property emerged as the most suitable both technically and financially, with a negotiated purchase price of €6,325,000 and redevelopment costs deemed viable. Its central location and ample footprint make the site ideal for conversion into a contemporary courthouse. Redevelopment works are expected to take no longer than three years.

Gozo’s current courts operate from a 17th-century building in the Citadel, an iconic heritage site but one increasingly unable to accommodate rising caseloads, modern legal requirements and accessibility standards. Officials said the new location will address longstanding issues related to space, safety, and functionality.

Justice Minister Jonathan Attard described the acquisition as “a significant milestone for the justice sector in Gozo”. He said the new courthouse will ensure that “justice is never compromised by infrastructure limitations” and will provide Gozitans with equal access to modern judicial services.

Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri welcomed the investment, noting its importance for court staff, legal professionals and citizens. “We now look ahead as works begin to convert the building,” he said, thanking the Court Services Agency for steering the project through the evaluation and negotiation phases.

During the announcement, officials presented an artistic impression and walkthrough of the planned courthouse, offering the public a first look at the design concept. Vanessa Grech, CEO of the Court Services Agency, outlined the process from market consultation to acquisition, explaining how the selected site met the project’s criteria.

The press conference was attended by senior officials including Johan Galea, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry for Justice and Reform of the Construction Sector, Mario Borg, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry for Gozo and Planning, and members of the Court Services Agency administration.