The planning authority has approved a proposal to restore the newly-exposed side of the Auberge d’Italie in Valletta.

The auberge, which houses the Tourism Ministry, is currently scheduled as a Grade 1 monument.

The side of the building was recently exposed during works on the City Gate project. The site to be restored extends from the side of the Auberge d’Italie to part of the recently-created Piazza de Vallette, at the corner between South and Zachary streets.

At the side of the auberge facing South Street is an entrance door at a different level from that of the piazza, indicating there was once a side entrance to the auberge from what could possibly have been an enclosed courtyard or a public square.

Several parts of the building were exposed after the Bank of Valletta building was demo-lished, according to the Superintendent of Cultural Heritage.

When consulted, the superintendent said the newly-exposed wall required a shell to cover its uneven surfaces. There was no evidence of sculptural elements similar to those found on the other sides of the auberge.

The restoration will first entail the removal of paint and cement. The two existing concrete buttresses will be dressed in stone.

A masonry block at the corner of the wall, known as a quoin, will be set. The proposed reconstructed quoin design is in line with the original design present on the front and rear façade of the auberge and complements the other architectural elements.