Commercial complex envisioned at Evans Building

The document was issued for a six-six week public consultation following a review exercise carried out on the previous draft development brief for the rehabilitation of Fort St Elmo and environs.

The draft document setting the parameters for the development proposes Evans Building as a commercial complex including tourist accommodation, residential units, office space with potential underground car park.

The site of the Evans Building used to form part of the Sacra Infermeria complex of the Order which included the Nibbia Chapel, scheduled as Class B ruins in 2008, the cemetery of the hospital, the Chapel of Bones and the anatomical theatre. Thus the site may be archaeologically sensitive according to the brief.

The brief refrains from taking a position on whether the building should be demolished or not, nothing that while some historians are of the opinion that the building should scheduled as  an important example of post war reconstruction in Valletta, other are of the view that the Evans Building should be re-developed.

The document states that from an urban design viewpoint Evans Building is “incompatible and is out of context with the historic urban fabric of Valletta”.

This decision on whether to demolish the building or not will only be determined  through a Conservation Management Plan which shall also determine the potential for underground car parking in view of the possibility of archaeological findings.

The document sets different used for the various components of the project.

Fort St. Elmo itself  is being earmarked for cultural facilities with supporting retail and catering. 

The Carafa Esplanade which includes the three storey Pinto stores is being earmarked for Cultural, Educational, Commercial uses including tourist accommodation, catering outlets, retail outlets, and office development.

The Pinto stores can  be restored and rehabilitated without major additional constructions for commercial uses including tourist accommodation, food and beverage outlets, retail outlets, office accommodation and educational purposes whilst respecting its historical value.

A heritage trail is being proposed in the  Carafa Enceinte while the  Landfront Ditch will remain  publicly accessible as a botanical garden,

The ditch of the Fort used to house the Botanical Gardens which provided a source of medicinal plants for the School of Anatomy of the Order. These gardens were later transferred to Floriana by Sir Alexander Ball in the early nineteenth century.

The possibility of expanding the War Museum will also be investigated, using existing historic structures along the Enceinte which are to be duly restored.

The Examination Centre, opposite the Granaries could accommodate educational and office development which would be designed in consonance with the surrounding historical context.