MAĊINA RESTORATION

Senglea’s historic sheer bastion to be revived as luxury hotel

Senglea’s iconic Maċina Bastion is being restored and renovated and will soon come back to life as a luxury hotel.

The Sheer Bastion, built in 1554 during the reign of Grand Master Claude de la Sengle, has been one of the Grand Harbour’s iconic landmarks, deriving its name ‘Maċina’ from the large sheer crane structure (‘macchina’), used to hoist heavy masts and other cargo, which was eventually dismantled in 1864.

The Malta Labour Party moved into the building in the 1970’s, using it as a headquarters until the 1990s, when it moved to Hamrun.

Now, once again, the Maċina is set to be a landmark of a different class, a luxury boutique hotel in a standout building that will be a showpiece within the Cottonera Regeneration Project.

Opening its doors in the summer of 2017, the Cugó Gran – Maċina, Grand Harbour will be under the dedicated management of IBB Hotel Collection. IBB, which currently operates ten hotels across Europe, forms part of the Von der Heyden Group, and has over 25 years of expertise in various leisure and real estate projects.

“Against a backdrop of historical fortress walls blended with bespoke interior design and luxury features, the Cugó Gran will truly be a hotel with a difference, offering 21 suites ranging from 40 square metres to an impressive 130 square metres, all having unobstructed views of the Grand Harbour and the surrounding marina,” IBB said.

“The design juxtaposes what is truly old and of historic value from the new, blending natural and traditional materials with modern clean lines. With large communal spaces, high vaulted ceilings and ample natural light, a minimalistic design was enough to create a luxury environment.”

The hotel will also offer guests a swimming pool, “tucked discreetly” on the rooftop of the annex building with a terrace overlooking the view of Vittoriosa and Cospicua.

The hotel will also offer a bistro, bar and cafeteria, as well as a boardroom for small conferences. The rooftop terrace is being converted to accommodate events for up to 1,000 guests, overlooking the, the Three Cities with views extending as far as Valletta.

IBB Hotel Collection CEO, Vladimir Saal, said: ‘’We strongly believing that the Maċina has the potential to regain its former glory and live again as an integral historical part of the Grand Harbour. No expense has been spared to achieve this level of luxury.”