In a statement on Tuesday, the Valletta Rehabilitation Committee said it welcomes the much awaited project for the city gate/opera house site. It also agrees to the choice of world acclaimed architect Renzo Piano whose vast experience and acquired knowledge of the capital city 20 years ago “will surely translate into an iconic design in the entrance of this World Heritage Site. The architecture adopted should relate to today’s line of thought and the use of the Opera House site should be such that the building’s use is sustainable and continually kept alive. The identified uses should interact with locals and tourists alike.”

The VRC said it commends highly the decision taken to move parliament out of the Grand Master’s Palace such that the latter will once again regain its rightful place as the capital’s showpiece with the armoury collection being relocated to its original seat.

“Let us not forget that our armoury collection is one of the most important in Europe and it deserves the right environs to be exhibited. Also moving parliament out of the Palace means that we can finally remove all the accretions that have been added over the years and restore the building fabric to its original glory. To enhance the proposed revival of our capital city VRP has been actively involved in the preparation of the designs for St George’s Square (Main Guard) and when completed, this square will embrace the Grand Master’s Palace and give the latter the dignified entrance that it truly deserves.” the statement said.

VRC will be assisting in the project and will be providing its expertise and the wealth of information acquired since its inception relating to City Gate and the Opera Site. Rather than a set of rigid guidelines which would restrict the architect’s creativity, VRP will be highlighting aspects of the area which as a Maltese nation we would surely want to preserve and if possible revive.