Palazzina Vincenti
Palazzina Vincenti in 2017
General information
StatusDilapidated
TypeResidential
Architectural styleModernist
LocationSt Julian's, Malta
Coordinates35°54′58.6″N 14°29′36.7″E / 35.916278°N 14.493528°E / 35.916278; 14.493528
Completed1948
Technical details
MaterialLimestone and concrete
Design and construction
Architect(s)Gustavo R. Vincenti

Palazzina Vincenti is a residential building overlooking Balluta Bay in St Julian's, Malta. It was built in 1948 by architect Gustavo R. Vincenti as his own residence, and it is considered to be one of the best examples of Modernist architecture in its country. As of 2021, it is currently proposed that the building be demolished and replaced by a hotel. It has now been decided by the Planning Dept that it will be restored. (Ref Maltese news 21 Apr 2023)

History

Palazzina Vincenti was designed by Gustavo R. Vincenti, a prominent Maltese architect, as his personal residence.[1] It has been described as the epitome of his own architectural development, in which he embraced the Modernist style as opposed to Art Nouveau and Art Deco which had influenced his earlier works.[2] It was constructed in 1948, and Vincenti lived in the building until his death in 1974.[3] The architect's son, Hilaire Vincenti, subsequently lived there until his own death in 2019.[4]

A request to schedule the building was submitted by architect Edward Said to the Planning Authority (PA) in 2019. By 2021 the property was split between several owners including the developer Carlo Stivala, and parts of the building were in a dilapidated state. In November 2021 it was reported that Stivala submitted an application to the PA to demolish the building and replace it with a 14-storey hotel designed by architect Robert Musumeci.[4] Following this proposal, the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage,[5] the AD+PD political party[6] and other organisations and individuals including the mayor of St Julian's made numerous calls for preserving the building, citing its historical and architectural importance.[5] On 17 December 2021, the PA issued an Emergency Conservation Order which granted it Grade 1 scheduling for a year.[7]

Architecture

Long horizontal windows at Palazzina Vincenti

Palazzina Vincenti is one of the best examples of Modernist architecture in Malta,[5] and it is one of the earliest residential buildings of this style in the country.[3]

The building consists of a number of filleted cubic volumes built over a group of garages.[2] The façades are characterised by plain limestone walls with long horizontal windows and cantilevered concrete balconies with austere steel railings.[1] Internally, the residence includes a grand foyer, waffle slab ceilings and a prominent staircase built out of concrete.[3]

The building also contains a tunnel which leads to the foreshore of Balluta Bay.[4]

See also

  • Balluta Buildings, an Art Nouveau building located at the opposite end of Balluta Bay

References

  1. 1 2 Muscat, Mark Geoffrey (2016). Maltese Architecture 1900–1970: Progress and Innovations. Valletta: Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti. pp. 72–75. ISBN 9789990932065.
  2. 1 2 Said, Edward (Summer 2006). "The Architecture of Gustavo R. Vincenti (1888–1974)" (PDF). The Architect. Kamra Tal-Periti (37): 18–19. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 August 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 Galea Debono, Fiona (7 November 2021). "St Julian's modernist building faces demolition". Times of Malta. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 Debono, James (3 November 2021). "St Julian's: Modernist landmark threatened by Stivala's 14-storey hotel". Malta Today. Archived from the original on 4 December 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 Galea Debono, Fiona (7 December 2021). "Heritage watchdog calls for protection of modernist Palazzina Vincenti". Times of Malta. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021.
  6. ↑ Vella, Luke (11 December 2021). "ADPD objects to Palazzina Vincenti demolition, calls for highest protection level". Malta Today. Archived from the original on 11 December 2021.
  7. ↑ Magri, Giulia (17 December 2021). "St Julian's Palazzina Vincenti given emergency conservation order". Times of Malta. Archived from the original on 17 December 2021.
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