AX Group to turn ‘dilapidated’ Rabat site into five star hotel and luxury terraces

A new five-star hotel and luxury terraces project in Rabat, planned by AX Group, has been given the green light to proceed by Malta’s Planning Authority, the company announced on Thursday.

The permit will allow AX Group to demolish the existing “dilapidated’ Grand Hotel Verdala and redevelop it into The Verdala Hotel and Verdala Terraces Project, “to achieve a better skyline and urban setting”, it said a statement. 

The proposed development will be spread over six floors above the highest street level and two levels below. Its proposed uses include residential units, retail units, and hotel facilities, with a garage making provision for 176 cars.

“By reducing the overall height from the existing hotel by almost two storeys, the development will blend more harmoniously with the promontory”, the Group claimed.

“A system of terraces and voids on the ridge side of the building will mimic the natural forms of the rock strata, whilst the back elevations will have greater solidity to tie into the traditional façade typology found in the surrounding streets”.

The company added that it expects the project to open up around 2350sqm of formerly developed space to the public through the introduction of public piazzas and open spaces.