Stivala submits plans for a new 15-storey hotel at Sliema Ferries

New plans for a 15-storey 3-star hotel at Sliema Ferries have been submitted by construction magnate, Carlo Stivala.

The proposed development aims to replace a three to fourstorey corner building that abuts Triq San Vincenz, where the Labour Party club is located.

The development will rise above the tall buildings at Sliema Ferries, but will also dwarf the townhouses in Triq San Vincenz.

The proposed development, as signed by architect, Robert Musumeci, reads : “Demolition of existing internal structures, keeping the majority of the existing facades and redevelopment of same property into a three-star hotel (Class 3B) consisting of 14 floors, plus receded floor level.”

The proposed development also includes a restaurant at ground level, meeting and conference rooms at levels 1-4, hotel rooms at levels 5-14, and a pool at the receded floor level.

The site already has an approved application for a residential project of nine floors, that was made by Carlo Stivala’s brother, Michael Stivala, in 2018, following a permit that was granted in 2016.

NGO Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar objected to pencil development that was granted in 2016, and said that the approval goes against planning laws, regulations and past refusals.

The development had been recommended for refusal by the Planning Authority Case Officer, the Sanitary Officer and the PA Cultural Heritage Officer. The main reason for the refusal of recommendations was Malta’s sanitary law, which has always sought to limit the height of buildings in narrow streets in order to ensure minimum standards of light and air to surrounding homes. Tall buildings in narrow streets also trap toxic emissions, which contribute to the fact that 14% of Malta’s health problems are due to environmental factors, the FAA had said at the time.