Landmark Modernist pasta factory demolished by Joseph Portelli

A landmark Modernist pasta factory, dating back to the early 20th century, has been demolished by developer Joseph Portelli, razing an example of industrial heritage to the ground.

The iconic Macaroni Premier, standing empty but prominently on the busy corner of three major roads, watched over the junction between Lija, Birkirkara and Balzan. Now, it has been flattened, with just one level of a flimsy façade blocking off a gaping hole.

The demolition was carried out ahead of acquiring planning permission to amend an already approved permit. PA/00505/26 is “awaiting recommendation” to amend approved PA/3115/23, which had successfully sought to renew PA/02163/18, according to the Planning Authority (PA) website.

That original permit already made way for the demolition of the existing factory, the construction of a showroom at ground floor level and offices at first, second and third floors, over three layers of basement garages.

The amendments propose a five-storey building, including the construction of two basement levels for garages and 30 parking spaces, a cafeteria on the ground floor and 29 residential units, with two penthouses and pools over the chaotic thoroughfare.

Just last week, the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage noted that the property, lying within the development zone of Birkirkara, exhibited architectural characteristics typical of interwar industrial structures.

The building has a degree of historical and architectural value, an early 20th century example of industrial architecture- Superintendence of Cultural Heritage

“This assessment is supported by its presence on the 1940s air-raid shelter plans, indicating that a building of similar outline occupied this site during that period,” it noted in a message to the PA on the case.

“As such, the building has a degree of historical and architectural value, an early 20th   century example of industrial architecture,” the SCH said, noting its “visually prominent location” at the end of Naxxar Road.

“This setting contributes to its iconic quality as one enters Birkirkara,” the superintendence said.

It also highlighted that the property was subject to a number of approved and renewed planning applications, dating back to PA/06534/01. It was, therefore, “constrained to note that the demotion of the property is already covered” by that permit, subject to subsequent renewal and permits that remained valid.

While the SCH acknowledged the approved demolition of the property, it said it would be “favourable to any preservation and integration of this early 20th century structure into the proposed development, reflecting the architectural and contextual value of the building”.

Architect Theo Cachia’s proposed design versus Joseph Portelli’s application. Photo: Theo Cachia/PA

The resurrection of the permit application had inspired an architect to put forward an alternative vision to architect Maria Schembri Grima’s designs for the former Balzan factory.

Architect Theo Cachia had unveiled a redesign that retained key elements of the existing building in a social media post following news of the development plans.

He was sharply critical of the proposal, describing it as “at best uninspired and at worst a leech sucking on the already depleted urban vitality of the neighbourhood”.

Cachia had said the factory would be “deleted without a trace and replaced by something generic by Joseph Portelli”, arguing that his design respected the history of the site.

Had it been “even remotely possible”, the architect said he would not have presented an alternative proposal and left the structure as it was.

Among the objections, filed just last month, it was noted that the proposed development was located in a uniform two-storey context that should be taken into consideration.

Parking issues were also raised as the “out-of-place mega project” would take on a commercial purpose, with the inclusion of a cafeteria and retail space, leaving an impact on the already busy area and spilling over into the residential villa area nearby.

What the proposed building would look like when viewed from Naxxar Road. Photo: Planning Authority

'SCH was never thoroughly consulted'

Described as a “monstrous block of flats”, the fear was that the area was crammed enough with dense traffic and that residents already found it hard to park near their homes.

Other “massive” development proposals in the area were also highlighted, raising questions about quality of life, how many apartments were needed in the vicinity and how additional congestion would be coped with.

One objector felt the Macaroni Premier factory was “not an ordinary structure” but a rare surviving example of early Maltese industrial heritage.

Its demolition would be premature, unlawful and irreversible, he said, establishing a dangerous precedent that would “allow industrial heritage buildings to be razed, entire streets to be intensified and urban identity to be destroyed”.

Speaking in his personal capacity, as a private citizen and architect, Din l-Art Ħelwa president Patrick Calleja had also objected to the destruction of the Modernist period building.

“The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage was never thoroughly consulted about this proposal, which, if approved, will eradicate a rare example of our architectural heritage,” he said.

Calls to preserve the building due to its cultural and industrial heritage interest have fallen on deaf ears as developers bulldozed their way through, where world war bombs appear to have failed.

The former pasta factory, a well-known landmark in Balzan. Photo: Google. Inset: Joseph Portelli