Valletta Residents Protest Evans Building Hotel Revival

As the sun cast its first light over the historic streets of Valletta, residents of the capital woke up to an unwelcome sight. The Evans Building, a once-abandoned eyesore, was buzzing with activity. Not the kind that brings hope of revival, but the kind that signals a revival they didn’t ask for. The hotel project, long thought dead, was back from the grave.

From Abandoned to Controversial

The Evans Building, a grand old structure on St. John Street, has seen better days. Built in the 1960s, it was once a thriving commercial hub. But time and neglect took their toll, leaving it a crumbling shell. In 2016, plans to turn it into a five-star hotel were announced. The project stalled, and the building stood empty, a blot on Valletta’s UNESCO World Heritage scene.

Until now. Scaffolding has gone up, workers have moved in, and the hotel project is back on. But this time, it’s not just the building that’s stirring. So are the residents.

Residents’ Concerns

Valletta residents are up in arms. “We were never consulted,” says Maria Azzopardi, a lifelong Valletta resident. “They just turned up one day and started work. We’re worried about noise, traffic, parking. Our quality of life is at stake.”

Concerns range from practical issues like parking and noise to more intangible worries. “Valletta is our home, not a hotel,” says another resident, Joseph Camilleri. “We’re scared this will change the character of our city.”

Council’s Stance

The Valletta Local Council has been vocal in its opposition to the project’s revival. “We were not informed nor consulted,” says Mayor Alexei Dingli. “We’re against this project in its current form. It’s too big, too tall, and doesn’t respect the character of our city.”

The Council has called for an urgent meeting with the project’s developers, but as yet, no date has been set.

Meanwhile, the Evans Building continues to rise, a symbol of the controversy it’s causing. It’s not just about bricks and mortar anymore. It’s about people, their homes, and their way of life. And it’s about a city that’s changing, whether its residents like it or not.