It’s official! These two historic Saqajja houses will NOT be turned into a luxury hotel
The developer pulled the plug following a number of oppositions to the project.
The two historical landmark townhouses situated atop Saqajja Hill in Rabat won’t be turned into a luxury boutique hotel as previously thought, since no development will be made due to the project being unexpectedly scrapped.
According to media reports, developer Keith Grima withdrew the project after receiving opposition from various ends, “including a petition signed by over 3,000 residents.” He has reportedly now put the townhouses up for sale at the price of around €1.8 million.
The original application issued in November 2018 sparked controversy among locals who questioned whether a luxury boutique hotel was really necessary in this part of the town, and in this particular spot, considering the historic value of the townhouses.
Then, in August 2019, reports circled that the two Victorian-era townhouses, designed by Andrea Vassalli, were to be turned into a luxury hotel following the alterations made to the original proposal that were no longer of cultural alarm.
Various NGOs, namely Din l-Art Helwa, Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar and Moviment Graffiti stated that the development would change the aesthetics of the Saqajja area, while the Rabat Local Council also highly opposed it, submitting a report saying the project was within an archaeologically important area.
We’re happy to see that these historical landmarks will be around for some time!