'Baroque' features of Sliema house challenged

A leading architect insists that a house claimed to be Sliema's oldest building "does not exhibit any characteristics that are synonymous with baroque architecture".

Worries have been expressed about the impending demolition of the house in question, situated at the corner of Ghar il-Lembi Street and High Street, and which at least one resident says dates back to the baroque period.

It is feared the house will be pulled down to be replaced by a block of flats.

The Times on Thursday reported a spokesman for the Malta Environment and Planning Authority saying the issue concerns an outline application, meaning the Development Control Commission has approved it only in principle.

Building industry sources said one objection has been officially filed with regard to the application.

In a report last December, architect Conrad Thake, who holds a PhD in architectural history in relationship to baroque studies, noted that any dating of the property cannot be definitive, given the absence of any documentary evidence.

"However," he added, "on the basis of the physical evidence, the urban history of Sliema and the environs of the Stella Maris neighbourhood, a realistic dating for the building would be within the time window period 1880-1920s".

He suggested that the property in question is typical of residential townhouse development in Sliema in the period ranging between the late 19th century and early 20th century.

Dr Thake disagrees with an opinion expressed to the Sliema local council in which the property was described as a "rare, possibly unique example of baroque architecture in Sliema".

He feels it would be "purely speculative" to suggest that the house could date to the late 1600s and the early 1700s. The property, he insisted, "does not exhibit any characteristics that are synonymous with baroque architecture".