UNESCO consulting local authorities over Excelsior extension

UNESCO is consulting with the Maltese authorities over a proposed extension of the Excelsior Hotel, which the Planning Authority is set to decide on Thursday.

The development would see an additional wing with 77 guest rooms connected to the hotel, the refurbishment of an outdoor area, including a pool and bar, and bastion restoration works.

The proposal – which has been recommended for approval by the case officer – was due to be decided in August. However, the hearing had been cancelled pending clarifications over property boundaries.

Ahead of that planned PA meeting, Friends of Villa Frere, which believes the proposed extension will impact the skyline of Valletta and Floriana, had written to the UN cultural organisation: “I am sure you are aware (and agree) that the mere presence of this hotel, which was first constructed in the 1960s and more recently reconstructed, is nothing but a blight on the World Heritage Site”.

The NGO argued that the vision should be for the total removal of the hotel.

It appealed to UNESCO “to stop this madness”.

The hotel as it stands today.

When contacted by Times of Malta, a spokesperson said the UNESCO World Heritage Centre had received...