The long-awaited redevelopment of the old Savoy Hotel at the top of Rue d’Argens, on the border of Sliema and Gżira, has finally been unveiled, with the winner of a long-drawn out and complex legal battle to take ownership of the landmark building submitting new designs for the Planning Authority’s approval.

The digital mock-ups portray a glass-encased business centre emerging from the side of the Category B+ monument, with the once-derelict façade restored to its former glory.

CEO of Exalco Group Alex Montanaro, the owner of the building, had previously assured neighbours and heritage enthusiasts that the property “will not be turned into another block of concrete like so many others in the area”.

“There are enough blocks of apartments going up – we want to do something different,” he said last August, adding: “It is really important for us that the old Savoy building is fully respected and renovated sensitively.”

Speaking to WhosWho.mt following the submission of development application PA/686/23, Mr Montanaro highlights the building’s height, which only goes as high as the adjacent buildings.

This covers from view the blank walls of the adjacent block of flats without creating new blank party walls in the process.

The development includes a landscaped garden that will be open to the general public during office hours, while tenants and clients will benefit from open spaces full of greenery.

Mr Montanaro also points to the removal of an old fuel station abutting the building: “This is a significant planning gain for the locality,” he says, “as the fuel station, as per the local plan, could be built up into a four plus one [four storeys plus a penthouse] building.”

Instead, the fuel station will be removed completely and will be landscaped and used as access to the underground car park and the rest of the building and its garden area.

For Mr Montanaro, the Savoy project “constitutes an interesting restoration and transformation of a dilapidated property into a beautiful landmark development that will give it life and contribute positively in many ways.”