Careel House, a historic villa located on Triq il-Karmnu in St Julian’s, has been scheduled as a Grade 1 protected property by the Planning Authority, in collaboration with the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage (SCH). This designation represents the highest level of protection granted through the scheduling process, following research that identified the building’s historical, architectural, and social significance.
The decision comes amid a wider planning controversy surrounding the site, which had been earmarked for redevelopment.
A historic property in St Julian’s linked to counter-intelligence activities during World War II had been placed at the centre of a planning dispute after developers proposed converting it into a boutique hotel and constructing two apartment blocks within its gardens.
The application, submitted by Mamdouh Altllas on behalf of AMIR Ltd, sought outline development permission for a site located between Balluta and Spinola bays, bordering Triq il-Karmnu and Triq San Anġlu. Plans included partial excavation to determine the site’s height potential and intended use.
The SCH objected to the proposal, stating that the property’s historic and architectural value warranted formal scheduling. The site, which is over a century old and featured on the 1916 Ordnance Survey map, lies within the St Julian’s Urban Conservation Area and was reportedly used as a covert wartime base led by Colonel Bertram Ede. Historian Simon Cusens described the villa as “a national heritage iconic site” that must be preserved.
Conservation group Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) also raised strong objections, accusing the developers of submitting the application on Christmas Eve “to avoid public scrutiny.” The organisation criticised the proposal as “misleading” and warned of the potential felling of mature trees, the permanent loss of green space, and increased traffic in surrounding narrow streets. It further argued that the scale and intensity of the development would undermine the area’s residential character.
Preliminary plans outlined a hotel and two apartment blocks, including one rising to six storeys within the villa’s gardens, alongside private outdoor areas for hotel guests and public spaces. It remains unclear whether the existing villa would have been repurposed or demolished. The plans had received preliminary approval from the Planning Authority’s design advisory committee.
Nationalist MP Albert Buttigieg also objected, describing the area as “fragile and highly sensitive,” and warning that the proposed development risked eroding the locality’s historic, architectural, and residential character. Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna similarly opposed the plans.
At the time, 28 objections had been registered against the proposal, reflecting widespread concern over its potential impact on heritage and the community.
Against this backdrop, the decision to grant Careel House Grade 1 protection marks a significant intervention.
According to findings by the SCH, Careel House is likely one of the oldest villas in the area. Historical maps dating back to 1862 already depict the property alongside its extensive gardens, indicating that the villa predates this period.
Historical sources suggest that in the early 19th century, several noble families began constructing summer residences in St Julian’s, complete with large surrounding gardens. Over time, many of these families settled in the area permanently, gradually transforming what was once a small fishing village into a more established residential locality.
The significance of Careel House extends beyond its age. During the Second World War, the property was leased by British forces under the command of Colonel Bertram Ede and used as a national and international intelligence centre. Activities carried out from the site are believed to have contributed to the arrest and exile of several Italian sympathisers during a politically sensitive period, when Malta was divided over whether Italian or English should serve as the island’s official language.
Architecturally, the villa features a simple, symmetrical façade typical of residences from that era, with traditional wooden apertures and a closed timber balcony. The property is enclosed by high boundary walls, which once encompassed its extensive gardens. Within these grounds stands a Nissen hut, a small military structure believed to have been connected to intelligence operations conducted on site during the war.
Beyond its historical and architectural value, the property also holds social significance for the local community. Careel House is considered the birthplace of the St Julian’s Scout Group, making it an important point of reference for residents.
The Grade 1 scheduling significantly limits the scope for alteration or redevelopment, reinforcing the property’s status as a site of national importance and effectively reshaping the future of the proposed development.
