Marfa Palace redevelopment moves a step closer

The only bid received for the redevelopment of Marfa Palace is being evaluated by three independent architects, and will then be passed on to the Lands Authority for further assessment, according to the Capital Projects Ministry. Replying to a Parliamentary Question by MP Clayton Bartolo, Capital Projects Minister Ian Borg said the bid includes the valuation as well as the actual proposals for the palace’s use. In October 2013, the government had issued an expression of interest for use of the site, a former artillery battery in Marfa also known as Wied Musa, but although six expressions of interest were received, only one bid was made when a request was made for formal proposals. The bid was made by Exclusivity Malta Ltd, who intend to transform it into an upmarket boutique hotel. The ministry said that if the Lands Authority approved the bid, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) would then be signed with the bidder. The MOU would then be presented in Parliament as it would require a parliamentary resolution. Once the MOU is approved, the final contract will then be signed based on the terms and conditions identified in the MOU. Minister Michael Falzon had said at the time of...