Massive office and retail development proposed at MIA

A master plan proposing the demolition of the existing Malta International Airport complex and its replacement by office and retail blocks, a hotel and recreational areas has been presented to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority.

The application to redevelop the MIA complex along these lines was presented three years ago, and a project development statement outlining the plans was presented on 21 May.

MIA is presently owned by a consortium which includes the Vienna International Airport and the Maltese government, a minority shareholder.

The new development would include commercial centres, which would incorporate both commercial and office space and showrooms.

A hotel development would be accommodated at the higher floors of an eight-storey block, to have offices in its lower levels.

Three other six-storey office blocks are being proposed. These blocks will include commercial development in the lower levels.

The existing large, centrally located car park would be roofed over in part, in order to accommodate additional parking by increasing the capacity. The newly established internal space would also include a supermarket of 2,300 square metres.

Four of the new blocks would include underground parking, catering to the demand created by the overlying buildings.

All the buildings within the application site, except for the airport terminal, would be demolished.

The project description presents a sustainable master plan, which would accommodate any future development within the MIA complex.

According to the description, the aim of the development is the creation of income-generating activities to complement the air terminal. "The MIA complex is being considering not only as an aviation centre, but also in its role as a business, commercial and leisure area, incorporating a variety of mixed-use facilities all related, directly or indirectly, to the fundamental basis of  the aviation complex".

The project description justifies the provision of more retail space.

"Although a significant supply of retail facilities already exists in Malta, the stock is of limited quality, generally comprising small individual units".

Moreover, the development statement says that international brands have expressed interest in the project.

It also states that there is a need for alternatives to Sliema, Tigné and Valletta in the south of Malta.

The document makes no reference to the Smart City development in Ricasoli, whose master plan also envisioned a massive retail component in the south of Malta.

The description also justifies the development of more offices by attesting growing demand.

It quotes a preliminary study carried out by Locum Consulting, which concludes that "the office market in Malta is far from being fully developed" due to the absence of international standard Grade A office stock.

"The local market is characterised by Grade B and C offices having small footprints, which is not suitable for corporate firms".

The study concluded that although the most sought-after areas are deemed to be Sliema and St. Julian's, high-quality office stock supply is limited when compared to the demand, and professional firms are seeking alternative locations.

If it were to become a reality, the project would employ approximately 1,200 people.