Speculation about Manoel Island is rife, with statements varying from buy-backs to buy-ins. Whatever the outcome, Manoel Island must be protected as the last open space within the dense Sliema/Gżira conurbation and its numerous historic sites rendered sustainable. Only substantial investment can make this possible.
Din l-Art Ħelwa finds the efforts to save Fort Manoel commendable, although the daily, unsavoury sight of Tigné Point has been the price we citizens have had to pay. Din l-Art Ħelwa has put its concerns about the new master plan to Midi during recent, constructive stakeholder meetings.
Our main contention regarding the island’s architectural heritage remains the intended sale for residential purposes of the buildings that will replace lost parts of the Lazaretto and Palazzo Vecchio. These, when reintegrated into the historic footprint, should remain national property in their entirety. Selling space within heritage monuments for profit is unacceptable and is, hopefully, a contractual misjudgement that can still be rectified.
While the adaptation of heritage buildings to modern use is desirable for their longevity, this must be most sensitively done if their historical significance is to be retained. Interventions to the building fabric must be avoided and, if made, must be reversible. Materials need to be sympathetic with what exists and the traditional use of stone encouraged, so with time, the harmony of the historic landscape will be regained. Vast glass insertions, as is currently the trend, are to be avoided, particularly in a harbour, where they will reflect unpleasantly in the light.
Din l-Art Ħelwa is pleased that the sustainability of a casino is now being questioned and suggests that, if retained, gambling activity with its inevitable slot machines be located elsewhere, so that the commanding views from Palazzo Vecchio and the Lazaretto can be put to wider and more dignified use.
The development of Manoel Island and its town is an opportunity for architecture to be created in a new Maltese idiom
There are vast opportunities on Manoel Island for heritage trails and museums to showcase the history of its many historic buildings, to tell the story of those who built and occupied them, of the many famous persons who travelled through Malta and were kept here in isolation due to the infectious diseases that plagued the islands. Many left their graffiti, including Lord Byron. These rare testimonies should be studied, registered and interpreted to offer an experience unique for the world.
The breakwater, if truly necessary, should be located further within the creek to protect public enjoyment of the picturesque views of and from the Lazaretto and prevent them from being obliterated by superyachts.
With regards to the new Mediterranean town, Din l-Art Ħelwa is highly concerned that a height mass of five floors built facing Sliema creek will create a solid curtain that hides the last views of Valletta enjoyed from Gżira’s very busy seafront. Din l-Art Ħelwa asks that photomontages be provided for consultation, with images taken from the seafront outward towards Valletta.
We are pleased to learn that the larger part of the island is to offer improved public spaces to enhance the historic sites, the Glacis Park is to be rendered accessible and new green areas inserted there.
We are, however, dismayed that public spaces within residential complexes may not enjoy open vistas if, like the squares in Tigné Point, they become ghettoised by the rear view of new apartment blocks. We suggest that the planned residential complexes be inverted so that public piazzas lie outside and not within them.
It is positive that the island will be mostly car free, and we hope walking trails can be increased. It will benefit the public greatly if the two new bridges connecting to Gżira are planned to allow ‘underpassages’ so pedestrians can enjoy uninterrupted seafront walks from Sliema to Ta’ Xbiex, the only place left for us to take some air.
We would also insist that the island’s foreshore remain accessible, with dedicated swimming areas for all. We object to a large jetty in front of the entrance of Fort Manoel, as this will inevitably attract large craft and destroy the majestic, unobstructed vista across to the fort and its swimming areas. Landing stages can be created usefully elsewhere.
A nagging thought remains: that the island is again sold, this time to developers, who will not hesitate to build skyscrapers. Din l-Art Ħelwa augurs this will not be the case.
The development of Manoel Island and its town is an opportunity for architecture to be created in a new Maltese idiom that will protect the dignity of its unique historic buildings. If done with style, proportion and sympathetic materials, the development can reverse the trend of the commonplace, unattractive buildings plaguing Malta’s everyday visual environment.
The developers would do well to take inspiration from the harmonious buildings that once graced the elegant Sliema and Gżira seafronts and provide an example that will pay homage to an entire heritage that has been lost.
Simone Mizzi is former executive president of Din l-Art Ħelwa.