The historic Savoy building in Valletta will be partially turned into a hotel, according to a planning application that was recently filed with the Planning Authority.

Located on Republic Street, corner with St John's Street, the building is just opposite the St John's Co-Cathedral.

In the past, the Savoy Arcade housed multiple clothing shops and in the early years a popular cinema. 

Application PA/4213/26 proposes changing the use of the first, second and third floor levels from office space into a hotel. It also proposes the construction of a fourth floor for the hotel, which would also include an open terrace, breakfast area and an outdoor pool. 

Render of the project. Image from Planning Authority

The plans show that the ground floor, which is currently occupied by the popular SPAR express, would generally remain untouched.

Entrance to the hotel lobby seems to be planned through a lower ground floor level located on St John’s Street.

Other amenities are also being proposed, including an indoor pool with wellness facilities, and a dedicated ancillary conference area.

The proposal indicates that The Savoy would have around 60 rooms, positioning it as one of Valletta's largest hotels. Currently, the largest hotel in the capital is the Embassy, with 81 rooms, with the new 88-room Ruby Hotel set to open later this year.

The application was filed by Central Business Centres plc, a company which had acquired the Savoy Shopping Complex back in November 2021.

“The proposal includes the demolition of structures at the existing third floor to allow for a better stepped transition massing of the front facade along the third floor and fourth floor levels,” the application reads.

Central Business Centres plc was formally established in 2014 and is a public limited liability company. It operates a number of properties around the country, including the Central Business Centre in St. Julian’s, which incorporates the historic Villa Fieres.