Valletta Residents Protest Evans Building Hotel Revival
Valletta Residents’ Uproar: Evans Building Hotel Project Revived
In the heart of Valletta, Malta’s capital city, a familiar battle is brewing. Residents are up in arms as the Evans Building hotel project, once shelved, has been revived, threatening to reshape the historic city’s skyline and way of life.
From Controversy to Silence, and Back
The Evans Building saga is no stranger to controversy. Proposed in 2015, the project aimed to transform the dilapidated 1960s building into a luxury hotel with retail space. However, faced with public outcry and legal challenges, the project was put on hold in 2017. Now, it’s back, with a new investor and renewed determination.
In the interim, the building, located at 144 Republic Street, has become a symbol of Valletta’s decay and neglect. It stands as a stark contrast to the city’s UNESCO World Heritage status, a fact not lost on its residents. “We’ve been living with this eyesore for years,” says Maria Azzopardi, a Valletta resident since 1975. “But now, they want to turn it into a money-making machine, without considering the impact on our community.”
New Plans, Old Concerns
The new plans, submitted by the project’s new investor, Tan Xing, a Chinese businessman, propose a 12-story hotel with 150 rooms and a rooftop bar. While the project promises to restore the building’s facade and create jobs, residents and heritage advocates are skeptical.
“The height of the building is a concern,” says Dr. Victor Aquilina, a heritage consultant and Valletta resident. “It will cast a shadow over nearby historic buildings and disrupt the city’s skyline. the rooftop bar could lead to increased noise and traffic, further disrupting our peaceful way of life.”
Concerns also extend to the project’s potential impact on Valletta’s character. “We’re worried that this will set a precedent for more high-rise buildings in the city,” says Azzopardi. “Valletta is not a city of skyscrapers. It’s a city of history and culture, and that’s what we want to preserve.”
Fighting Back
Residents are not taking the revival lying down. A petition has been launched, calling for the project to be scrapped. A public meeting is planned for next week at the Valletta Local Council, with residents expected to voice their concerns. “We’re not against development,” says Azzopardi. “But it has to be development that respects our city’s heritage and quality of life.”
Meanwhile, the project’s investor remains optimistic. “We understand the concerns,” says a spokesperson for Tan Xing. “But we believe that this project can bring significant benefits to Valletta, while also respecting its heritage.”
