A major redevelopment in the heart of St Julian’s has been dramatically scaled down, with plans for a 60-apartment block replaced by a smaller, context-sensitive project featuring ten limestone terraced houses surrounding a new pedestrian street.

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The project, known as Djar Ġebla, has been approved by the Planning Authority following revisions by the developer, Tum Invest Ltd, and its architects, Ebejer Bonnici. 

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The approved design reimagines the vacant site between Birkirkara Hill and St Elias Street, located within the St Julian’s Urban Conservation Area, as a contemporary interpretation of a Maltese village cluster.

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Originally proposed in 2019 as a five-storey apartment block comprising 62 units, an office, and a retail space, the project was refused by the Planning Commission in 2020 after objections from residents and NGOs. 

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The plan was later sent back by the Environmental and Planning Review Tribunal (EPRT).

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The new design, developed by architect Karl Ebejer, Partner at Ebejer Bonnici, replaces the dense apartment scheme with 10 terraced homes, each with its own garden, pool, and private underground garage. 

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Over 60 per cent of the site will now be dedicated to gardens and open pedestrian space.

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“Our intention as an architecture studio was to move away from the density that had originally been proposed for this site,” said Karl Ebejer. 

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“We wanted to design something rooted in its surroundings — something that respects St Julian’s as a place with memory and character.”

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The development introduces a new pedestrian street, a gentle, meandering connection between Triq Sant’Elija and Birkirkara Hill, recalling the rhythm and scale of older Maltese villages. 

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The houses, all constructed in traditional limestone, will line this new spine, blending contemporary living with traditional materials and proportions.

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“At Ebejer Bonnici, we believe in creating context-sensitive projects that the local community can engage with and appreciate. That is why we held extensive consultations with stakeholders: from the local council to NGOs and residents,” Ebejer continued.

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“Djar Ġebla is about rediscovering what makes Maltese places special: their scale, intimacy, and the way life unfolds between walls and gardens. We reinterpreted those qualities for today’s context.”

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The project team collaborated closely with the St Julian’s Local Council, the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, and the Planning Authority to refine the proposal. 

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The partially retained townhouse façade, limestone materials, and landscaped pedestrian route were introduced to ensure that the design complements the area’s historic fabric.

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Despite initial concerns about heritage and scale, the Planning Authority’s approval marks a shift towards development that emphasizes integration rather than dominance.

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“We hope Djar Ġebla can stand as an example of how collaboration and design sensitivity can transform a contentious site into something that belongs to its context, quietly, respectfully, and with longevity in mind,” Ebejer said.

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‎Excavation work will soon begin to create two underground levels — one for private garages and another for storage spaces. The homes are expected to be completed over the next two years.

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About Ebejer Bonnici

Ebejer Bonnici is a Malta-based architecture and design practice known for its contextual approach to urban design, adaptive reuse, and sustainable architecture. The studio’s work bridges traditional materials and modern form, with a focus on place-making and heritage-sensitive development.

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