The Art of Renovating an Old Townhouse in Malta
In the recent past, Malta’s construction industry has seen a lot of exciting progress, from the barrage of new developments in Sliema to the green lighting of high-rise buildings throughout the region. However, while progress and modern property development is all good and well, there have been some concerns that not enough attention is being paid to restoring and preserving Malta’s architectural heritage.
To address this issue, the government has introduced a new scheme called Irrestawra Darek, which translates to “Restore your Home”, and its main aim is to encourage the restoration of older buildings, like privately owned townhouses, by assisting homeowners with the costs associated with their renovation.
Overall, the government is hoping to revitalize Malta’s rural villages by promoting the conservation, maintenance and restoration of privately owned heritage residences that are situated in Urban Conservation Areas (UCAs), as well as buildings that have a Grade 1 and Grade 2 schedule rating.
Now, this scheme is very important for anyone that wants to renovate old townhouses in Malta because it presents a unique opportunity to save on the refurbishment expenses while still being able to work with the best contractors and designers. So, if you’re looking to renovate an old townhouse in Malta, here’s what you need to know about the Irrestawra Darek arrangement:
Who can apply?
If you’ve just purchased a residential townhouse property that falls under the Grade 1 or Grade 2 rating, then you may qualify for a rebate on renovations, and you’re also eligible if you’re purchasing an old residence for the first time that is situated in one of the UCAs, or are just looking to renovate the façade of your old townhouse.
How much is the rebate?
You’ll be glad to know that those purchasing Grade 1 and Grade 2 homes for the first time will qualify for a 70% rebate of up to 100, 000 Euro, whereas first-time property buyers whose private residence is situated in a UCA may qualify for a rebate of up to 10, 000 Euro, and private residence owners that currently reside in UCAs qualify for a 10, 000 Euro rebate, or up to 70% of the costs involved in restoring the façade of the property.
Now, this information is important because it may assist you a great deal in your renovations, and qualifying for rebate means that you can stretch your budget a little more to preserve the property in the best way possible.
Speaking of the best way to preserve your historic yet stunning structure, here are some of the most common methods used to preserve historic townhouses in Malta.
Power washing and sandblasting:
Power washing and sandblasting are some of the most widely used preservation techniques when it comes to restoring old townhouses in Malta and it’s not hard to see why. Both approaches are a great way to strengthen the structural integrity of the property, wash away the dark black layer that builds up on the stones patina over the years, while still being able to maintain that “rustic” and “traditional-historic” look.
Do It Yourself:
A great DIY solution would be to manually scrape the edifice with flat and sharp hand tools that are suited or the job. This is a more gentle approach which although time-consuming, can really go a long way to preserving the historic beauty of the structure without damaging it as machine powered methods like sandblasting and power washing might do sometimes.
Consult with a professional:
Of course, as with any home renovation project, it’s always a good idea to consult with an experienced architect before choosing any one technique, as different methods work for different structures. Oftentimes, an architect will be able to recommend a treatment that is uniquely beneficial to your particular townhouse’s structure, ensuring that you maintain its structural integrity while prolonging its lifespan. Sometimes, professionals do recommend seemingly costly and time-consuming methods, but that’s where subsidies like the Irrestawra Darek come in.
Plus, it’s better to pay now and enjoy your restored townhouse for longer, than to just “wing it” and hope for the best, as the latter might cost you more later on.
At the end of the day, you want to preserve the cultural value of your townhouse property, so it’s important to not gloss over those seeming imperfections, like the stone’s natural patina, as that is what gives them a unique aesthetic, and it tells of the building’s story as well.
Distinguishing factors of a traditional Maltese townhouse
The following are just of a few of the characteristics that make Maltese townhouses so unique and sought-after, just to give you an idea of the important aspects that you want to preserve during the restoration:
- Vibrantly colored balconies
- Limestone façade
- Front door made of wood with louvered openings
- The sophisticated detailing on the entrance hall ceiling, maybe even frescos
- Thick and well-insulated walls
- Patterned tiling with vibrant colors for flooring
- High ceilings
- Steel beams
- The classic Maltese townhouse back garden, which can be quite a picturesque affair showing off native Mediterranean foliage
Whatever you do, make sure that your townhouse renovation compliments and adds value to the old and most importantly maintain its cultural heritage, because that’s what gives it a unique quality. So, make sure to maintain a careful balance between the old and the new when you do your renovation so that you can enjoy modern conveniences while still maintaining the historic value of the property.
Common challenges
Some of the most common challenges that you can expect to come across as you renovate your old townhouse include:
- Broken openings on the windows and doors
- Insulation
- Peeling walls
- Humidity
Thankfully, there are many ways to overcome these challenges, thanks to new building approaches.
Whatever you do, make sure that you preserve the old wooden apertures as they are, or give them a little tune-up if necessary but don’t get rid of them. Wrought iron gates and show scrapers of the door are also a must-keep, as well as the door number which is usually made out of brass, and a common feature in historic Maltese townhouses.
In the back garden, be sure to incorporate such classic Maltese items like sundials, stone-cut planters and hand-hewn stone seating for example. If you can, try and include a skylight to invite more light into the property, as natural lighting is huge for Maltese townhouses. Also, if the tiles are in good condition, then we’d recommend keeping them, and just give them a good polish to update their look.
Conclusion
There has never been a better time to invest in old Maltese townhouses than right now, as their value is set to skyrocket in the coming years due to the prevalence of new developments in the area. So you’ll do well to renovate your Maltese townhouse with the view of maintaining its old-style architecture as much as possible, and remember that when it comes to Maltese architecture, nothing beats the original. Consult with luxury real estate agents Maltasothebysrealty.com to find the widest selection of townhouses for sale in Malta.
