The Planning Authority (PA) has approved db Group’s proposal to add six and seven additional floors to its City Centre development at St George’s Bay, Pembroke.
The decision was made with a vote of eight in favor and two against. NGO representative Romano Cassar and Pembroke Mayor Kaylon Zammit voted against the additional storeys.
Mr Cassar expressed concerns about the visual impact of the expansion, highlighting that the towers’ heights would increase by 39 and 35 per cent respectively, significantly altering the skyline. Mr Zammit warned that the extension would adversely affect local residents.
Last month, a planning case officer recommended approval of the proposal, pointing out that the latest modifications comply with the permitted floor area ratio. The Planning Authority chairman also supported the project, stating that it “appears to align with all relevant planning policies.”
The approval increases the scale of the landmark mixed-use development, which already features 17- and 18-storey residential towers alongside a 12-storey, five-star Hard Rock Hotel. Although the original plans faced legal challenges, a 2023 court ruling ultimately cleared the way for construction to continue. The additional floors will expand only the residential section of the project, adding 60 new apartments.
Speaking to WhosWho.mt, a db Group spokesperson had highlighted that demand for premium residential property in Malta. The new units are “uniquely positioned to be swiftly taken up,” the Group stated, attributing this to the development’s full suite of on-site amenities.
When asked about concerns over the project’s scale and its impact, db clarified that the revised plans align with planning decisions and the site’s Floor Area Ratio (FAR) policy, aiming to utilise permitted development rights.
Currently under construction, the project occupies a prime coastal location encompassing Wesgħet George Portanier, Triq il-Profs Walter Ganado, Triq Pietru D’Armenia in Pembroke, as well as ix-Xatt ta’ San Ġorġ and Triq Joseph Zammit in St Julian’s. Excavation and construction began in October 2024.
The db City Centre development already features significant landmarks such as the Hard Rock Hotel Malta, St George’s Mall, and the Ora Residences. The approved additional floors are expected to further elevate the project’s scale and increase its residential capacity within the St George’s Bay area.
