Pre-Market Consultation announced for the first phase of the Grand Harbour Regeneration plan

The Minister for the Environment, Energy and Public Cleanliness, Miriam Dalli, announced an important new phase in the Government’s plan for the regeneration of the Grand Harbour. During a press conference, Minister Dalli formally launched the Pre-Market Consultation (PMC) – another strategic step towards delivering the ambitious vision to transform the Grand Harbour into an area of new opportunities offering more attractive public spaces for people. This international call is being issued following the Government’s proposal for the regeneration of parts of the Grand Harbour, which had been opened for public consultation to gather people’s views on the plan. “I strongly believe in our vision for the Grand Harbour, and to deliver it we must work together with the community and with those willing to invest in line with this vision. This is a project that primarily focuses on the Grand Harbour, but its value is national. It provides a clear direction on the type of investment we want for our country in the years to come,” said Minister Miriam Dalli. With technical assistance from Grant Thornton, the Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation (GHRC) will be leading the PMC process, which aims to gauge the level of interest from local and international investors in what is considered the first and largest phase of the plan – covering the Potato Sheds area, the former power station site, Jesuits’ Hill, the Custom House, Mifsud Verandah and Bridge Wharf. This consultation, which will remain open for four months, is a crucial step to gather ideas, proposals and expressions of interest that will help shape a concrete framework for future calls for tenders in the next phases. Gino Cauchi, Chief Executive Officer of the GHRC, explained that once this period closes and there is visibility of interest, the process will move to the next stage. “The process will move forward through more detailed discussions to identify what could become the final ideas, upon which further studies, preparations, proposals, discussions and consultations can be carried out. This is a long and complex process, but a necessary one,” said Mr Cauchi. The Pre-Market Consultation follows the public consultation on the masterplan, which saw broad participation from the public, organisations, entities and various stakeholders. The guiding principles of this project include mixed-use development, protection of the skyline and historical heritage, architectural coherence, public accessibility, sustainability and climate resilience – elements intended to ensure the project is future-proof and delivers long-term value as part of the Malta 2050 vision. The regeneration of the Grand Harbour is being considered a national project for Malta’s future – one that creates new economic value while respecting its historical identity and giving new life to one of the country’s most emblematic areas.