Seven-storey community centre planned in St Paul's Bay

An undeveloped site in St Paul’s Bay is set to be transformed into a seven-storey civic centre, including offices for the local council, an elderly day care centre and a homeless night shelter.

The planning application (PA/08362/25) for the undeveloped site located on Triq San Ġorġ and Triq Emanuele Pinto was filed by mayor Vincent Galea on behalf of the local council.

Offices for the North Regional Council, a community policing station and a library are also included in the plans.

Plans for what the civic centre is to look like. Photo: PA

If approved, the proposal will be spread over seven floors and have two levels of underground car parking. The site is currently a field within the development zone.

According to the plans, the night shelter will be spread over two floors, each consisting of four bedrooms, a living and kitchen area and bathrooms.

Plans for what the civic centre is to look like. Photo: PA

The land on which the centre will be built covers an area of approximately 1,200 square metres and was transferred to the council in 2024 as part of a devolution agreement. The local council originally requested the plot from the Lands Authority due to the land’s key location in the heart of the locality.

The current offices of the local council are in Triq San Pawl.

St Paul’s Bay is one of the island’s most populous localities, with over 32,000 residents, and is a popular area for renters.

Plans for a one-stop centre in the locality have been a long time coming. In 2006, then social solidarity minister Dolores Cristina announced plans to open a one-stop-shop community centre to offer social services in St Paul’s Bay. The centre was to be modelled on one in Vittoriosa.