The Planning Authority's Planning Board has granted permission for the development of an 11 storey office building over the Portomaso cafeteria adjacent to the Portomaso Tower.
The new building will have over 5,200m2 of office floor space and will be interconnected with the tower. It will further enhance the business hub concept around the area, the PA said.
![](https://cdn-attachments.timesofmalta.com/9955f9c1564abb1729aea5f866c0fa44ef54f419-1481818851-5852c2e3-620x348.jpg)
The board also approved planning permission for the the Auberge d’Italie in Merchants' Street, Valletta, to be converted into the National Museum of Fine Arts, known as MUZA.
The sixteenth century auberge which until recently housed the offices of the Malta Tourism Authority will have a number of internal alterations for exhibition spaces and lecture halls within the museum. An outdoor cafeteria within the building and the installation of photovoltaic panels at roof level are also included as part of the project.
![](https://cdn-attachments.timesofmalta.com/5a351397081edb5f0e791a46001a55a4e55d59c9-1481818870-5852c2f6-620x348.jpg)
The board also approved plans for an Mcast Resource Centre in Paola. The building which shall be constructed over an existing car park shall include exhibition spaces, auditoria, offices, classrooms, a library and study areas.