High Rise Buildings In MALTA

This is a highly debatable subject... is high rise buildings good for Malta and what is it bringing to the  economy and to the land on the island. The first high rise building in malta was Portomaso Tower, A 23 story tower in which is mainly used for office use, with a  club on the top level, residences for multi millionaires, a marina and a lovely promenade to walk trough with restaurants all around. Portomaso was completed in the year 2000 and is the tallest high-rise building in malta at the moment and "it is today considered to be the island's most exclusive residential, leisure and business address...".


Although Portomaso is the tallest of it's kind in the near future lets say in around 10 year it will be one of the smallest of its kind on the island. The biggest concern is with the recent go ahead of the 2 40 story buildings in Sliema. These Skyscraper status buildings has raised a massive controversy and alot of concerns mainly from residents, environmentalists local councils and also the average man on the street so basically the majority of the population.Basically the completion of  Portomaso started all this as said by some people. In my opinion I don't think that this is the case as with nowadays policies and seeing who are the investors of these 2 buildings they would have still gotten the permits needed. These buildings not only means a big transformation to the coastline and its surroundings but means that the high end property behind these towers will drop drastically in price as they would not have any views or sunlight to hit some apartments. Another project similar to these is the 36 story Corinthia 6 star Hotel in St Georges Bay in St Julians.The €400 million project is aimed to bring more high end spending tourists to the island. This will be The biggest project in it's industry on the island. There are more examples of potential high rise buildings in malta but if I had to sat something about all of them I will never stop typing... 

My opinion on this subject is abit controversial as I kind of agree with the fact of high rise buildings but I then don't agree on some factors. The pros of having high rise buildings in malta is good because more virgin land could remain on the island and you are using more used or abandoned land  for these projects and also brings more space for new residences as we are growing at a fast pace  . On the other hand what I don't agree on is the fact that these buildings are being built exactly infront of the sea whilst blocking the blocks behind it, I mean 40 stories is no joke it will affect the neighing apartments drastically, another point is the fact that these apartments are going to probably be super expensive which only foreign multi milliners could afford similar to what happened with Tigne' and Forth Cambridge,which is not helping the footprint as local people still need to buy a place to live at an affordable price.Last but not least these high rise buildings should only be located in one are if they had to be built as I think its not fair not to give a chance to the investors but then don't over do it with building them all over the island. An in-between has to be found between the consumer and investor for these types of projects and I feel that for once we need to take honest decisions and do whats best for malta and its breath taking promenade and not favour something because of who the investor is and who he knows.....

References :

• "Portomaso | Tumas Group". Tumas.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 25 Nov. 2016.
•  GmbH, Emporis. "Portomaso Business Tower, Saint Julian's | 136726 | EMPORIS". Emporis.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 25 Nov. 2016.
• Ltd, Allied. "Up, Up And Away: The Tower Economics Of High-Rise Buildings". Times of Malta. N.p., 2016. Web. 25 Nov. 2016.
• "Updated: Corinthia Group Confirms €400 Million Investment In Six-Star Hotel In St Julian's - The Malta Independent". Independent.com.mt. N.p., 2016. Web. 25 Nov. 2016.