The conversion of two historic picturesque townhouses in Rabat into a hotel has been given the green light by Malta’s Superintendence of Cultural Heritage.

The Superintendence rescinded on its previous objection after the developer changes plans to remove a rooftop pool and a garden bar, adding that the plans now “respects the architectural value and the context of the historical property”.

The houses were built in the late 19th century by famous architect Andrea Vassallo.

The hotel itself will include a total of 50 rooms, a garden, and a restaurant.

The Rabat Local Council, it would seem objects to the plans, attempting to schedule the row of houses, which lay just outside Mdina.

Infrastructure Minister Ian Borg has also described the project as a non-starter, given the historical value of the area.

Further down the road, a 110-room hotel has been proposed on the former Tattingers Club site.

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