A number of landmark buildings in Sliema and Gżira have been a given a high protection status by the Planning Authority for their architecture and heritage value.

The buildings include St Patrick's Salesian School, the former Savoy Hotel, the original Imperial Hotel in Sliema and the existing polyclinic building and ex-water and sewer pumping station in Gżira.

The highest level of protection, Grade 1, was given to the neo-gothic building which served as the water and sewer pumping station in Gżira and the buffer zone area around the Fort Sliema structure and the St Julian’s Tower and Battery, known as Il-Fortizza and It-Torri respectively.

Both the fort and the tower had been scheduled in 1995.

The authority also scheduled, as Grade 2 buildings, three cluster of houses in Triq Stella Maris and Triq il-Madonna tas-Sacro Cuor in Sliema. Other residences which received the same protection status include Lancaster House in Triq il-Lunzjata corner with Triq Castelletti and Villa d’Argens in Triq Cuschieri.

Two authentic and rare grocery stores in Sliema - Victory Store and Colonial Grocery - were also given Grade 2 protection. These two retail properties carry a historical social significance and aesthetic/architectural value.

Palazzo Capua, a 19th century neo-classical building which at the height of its grandeur included extensive gardens, typical of such stately home was also protected as a Grade 2 building.

This palazzo for a time served as the residence of the Prince of Capua (1811 –1862) and his wife Penelope Caroline Smyth while in exile.

The facades’ of the ex-Sliema telephone exchange and those of a homogenous set of properties in Triq Tigne' corner with Triq Sant' Antnin were also protected.

Over the past six months the authority issued a heritage protection status for a total of over 80 properties in Sliema and Gżira.

The PA's announcement will come as a relief to many Sliema and Gżira residents who have seen dozens of old buildings torn down to make way for apartments which left much to be desired.

Want to know more about the new protected buildings?

Water and sewer pumping station.

Water and Sewer Pumping Station, Gzira – Grade 1
In the late 19th century, the British Civil Engineer Osbert Chadwick prepared a master plan for the creation of domestic fresh water and sewer infrastructure for the Grand Harbour area, its suburbs and the North Harbour area. The Neo-Gothic building served as the Water and Sewer Pumping Station for the North Harbour towns. It was designed by Prof Giorgio C Schinas a civil engineer who together with the Royal Engineer Captain T J Tressider designed and constructed the fresh water and sewer infrastructure for the North Harbour Area. The building, which resembles a stately home rather than a utilitarian civic site, is made of three blocks; the central one being receded so as to create a building with two projecting wings. The roof level is surmounted by a crenellated parapet wall and lancet double light windows further accentuate the gothic revival style which was popular at the time, particularly in Sliema.

Imperial Hotel – Grade 2
The site originally consisted of an 18th-century villa belonging to a member of the Maltese nobility. Following the occupation of the island by the British forces, the site started to be used as a hunting lodge by British Governors, resulting in substantial alterations to the building, giving it its strong Victorian character. Most probably it was at this point in its use that stone emblems portraying hunting dogs were added over the arched window lintels on either side of the main doorway. The building started to function as a hotel in 1865, undergoing a number of alterations, particularly to the façade, throughout its use. Late 19th century photos show that the building originally had three entrances on the main façade furnished with separate staircases. The entrances to the left and right wing were eventually walled up, retaining the single central access via a double staircase. As part of the alterations, the main entrance was embellished with columns and the existing overlying wrought iron balcony was replaced with a stone balustrade railing. The substantially long façade is broken up into a number of panels by the use of flat pilasters and of interest is the use of dentil type stone engravings running beneath the top cornice. Internally, the building still preserves its original Victorian architecture, such as the double Victorian staircase, beneath which is the central arched corridor leading to a portico type lounge characterize by its colonnade. The existing marble paving is also original to the building.

Palazzo Capua.

Capua palace – Grade 2
Capua palace is a 19th century neo-classical palazzo, characterised by the Corinthian order colonnaded portico on all four sides. Internally it possesses a majestic staircase which acts as the main focal point. In the 19th century, at the height of its grandeur it included extensive gardens with a variety of trees and garden ornamentation consisting of walkways, pergolas a fountain and a large cistern; typical of such stately homes. The building was also provided with two coach houses. The construction of the building is attributed to the Genoese Banker Biagio Tagliaferro who settled in Malta around 1819. The palace was originally known as Selma Hall. In the mid 19th century, the building was sold to Judge and Crown Advocate Dr Pantaleone Bruno and for a time it was the residence of the Prince of Capua (1811 –1862) and his wife Penelope Caroline Smyth, since they had to live in exile after having contracted a morganatic marriage which was not approved by the king of Naples. During the second World War, the Palazzo was used as an orphanage under the care of the Sisters of Charity. In 1963 it was re-named St Joan Antide Home and remained as an orphanage up till 1978. In the late 1980s illegal works resulted in the demolition of parts of Capua Palace, which works were halted and the building restored/reconstructed. Today the palace has been converted into offices and events hall associated with an adjacent hotel.

Triq Stella Maris – Grade 2 properties
Triq Stella Maris is one of the best preserved streets in Sliema, including a number of imposing 19th and 20th century double fronted townhouses. Houses Nos.14-17 are particularly good examples of traditional classical architecture, merging the neo-classical style with the neo-baroque style. House number 15 is particularly noteworthy with its Corinthian order decoration which has resulted in a highly elaborate main entrance flanked by two Corinthian pilasters supporting highly decorated balcony corbels, between which is an intricately decorated segmental pediment which incorporates a highly decorated central balcony corbel consisting of a winged female figure. Also of note in this streetscape is property No. 61 which has a very particular bow fronted timber balcony with louvered shutters covering the individual balcony windows. The scheduling exercise in Triq Stella Maris also includes properties Nos. 46-48, which are three exceptional Art-Deco town houses built over a height of three floors. These three houses are a celebration of Art Deco, as portrayed through the intricate stonework and the complementary timber apertures and wrought iron works, all of which are original to the buildings when they were constructed in 1936.

Villa d'Argens – Grade 1
Villa d’Argens is an 18th century country villa, reputedly constructed by a French knight of St John, after whom Rue d’Argens has been named. The villa is characterised by a simple and austere exterior and a substantial garden surrounded by a high wall, indicative of a concern with security when the villa was constructed, considering that at the time there was still the fear of corsair raids 18th century Gzira was still rural and undeveloped. This fact can be better appreciated in two early 19th century views of Manoel Island by Giorgio Pullicino and Gerolamo Ganni, forming part of the collection of the National Museum of Fine Arts. In both views, Villa d’Argens is clearly visible in the foreground, surrounded by an open rural landcape. A particular characteristic of the Villa is its ‘siqifah’, a roofed public alley with the villa extending over the airspace of the alley; an architectural feature which hails back to the Medieval period, the best local example being the ‘siqifah’ in Palazzo Santa Sophia, in Mdina.

St Patrick's School

St Patrick's School – Grade 2
The scheduling of St Patrick’s Salesian school at Grade 2 is an extension to the scheduling of St Patrick’s church, which forms part of the complex and which was already scheduled as Grade 1 in 1995. The school and church were constructed in the beginning of the 20th century, the former being inaugurated in 1903 and the latter in 1905. The construction of this building was possible thanks to local benefactors, namely the philanthropist Alfons Maria Galea who donated the land on which it is constructed together with a sum of money and Mrs Giovanna Pullicino who donated a sum of money to further cover construction costs. The school and church were designed by renowned local architect Andrea Vassallo (1856-1928), who is also responsible for a number of notable properties in the area – namely Sliema Government School, Zammit Clapp Hospital and Villa Rosa in St Julian’s. His work extended beyond the area and he designed the Ta’ Pinu basilica and the domes for the parish churches of Hamrun and Siggiewi. The school has a highly austere elevation, devoid of any elaborate architectural ornamentation. The simplicity of the façade is broken up by the heavy rhythm of the vertically oriented apertures which pierce the façade, providing a very strong symmetry. The elevation is given added interest through the creation of recessed and projecting paneling running up the whole length of the façade. The building is capped by an Egyptian style cornice and the main entrance is embellished by an arched portico surmounted by a terrace with a balustrade railing.

The former Savoy Hotel.

Savoy Guesthouse Sliema – Grade 2
The ex-Savoy Guesthouse is an iconic building, located in a prominent position commanding extensive long distance views. The Local Plan designates this building as a landmark building and a Category B+ building, reflecting its iconic status which has resulted in toponym for the area being named after the building. The building can be stylistically dated to the late 18th – early 19th century built in the typical classical architectural style favored at the time. The main elevation is traditional, with the more prominent feature being the main entrance which is flanked by two half pilasters and 2 columns in the Doric order, which support a continuous corbel for the overlying 5 bay closed timber balcony. The side elevation, on the other hand, is highly uncharacteristic, and is more akin to the new neo-classical styles introduced by the British in their institutional buildings. The elevation is pierced by a large number of wide openings, arched at ground floor and rectangular at first floor, with the horizontal lintel supported on Doric columns. At second floor, there are only two wide opening, with the remaining wall space separated by flat stylized Egyptian style pilasters. The most prominant feature on this elevation, and the whole building, is the projecting multi-faceted bay window which forms a three storey turret attached to side elevation.

Gzira ex-Primary School – Grade 2
The Gzira ex-government primary school is a typical example of a local Art-Deco building. The overall style is ingrained in traditional architectural motifs, such as the Doric columns, the ground floor imbroll, the classical moulding surrounding the apertures and the closed timber balconies. However, the wrought iron work, the elaborate apertures with flanking Doric Columns, the projecting keystones above the windows and the stylized balcony corbels all serve to give a modern re-interpretation to traditional architecture; creating a more hybrid style, which is highly represented in the Sliema – Gzira area.

Lancaster House – Grade 2
Lancaster House is an impressive corner palazzo, most probably datable to the late 19th – early 20th centuries, built in an Italianate style. The building is located on the corner between Triq il-Lunzjata and Triq Castelletti. The main entrance is located on the corner overlooking Triq Castelletti and consists of a recessed portico made up of a central arch separated from two flanking narrow arches by two Doric columns. The space between the arches and the first floor cornice is decorated by intricate scroll decoration and rosette medallions. At first floor, the corner is occupied by a veranda, open on two sides, with the lintels supported on Doric columns. The scroll decoration is repeated above all of the apertures, and the first floor apertures are surmounted by a horizontal window hood supported on elaborate corbels, with the decorative scroll work placed in between. The side elevation is dominated by a closed 6 bay timber balcony. In view of the sloping side elevation, the palazzo is built on a 7 course podium and the ground and first floors have high ceilings, the ground floor being roofed at about 14 courses and the first floor roofed at about 17 courses, resulting in a highly impressive building. The palazzo is said to have been the residence of the 9th Baron of San Marciano who died in 1963.