Churches. Don’t forget churches. However boxy and however ugly.

http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2015-01-21/local-news/Australian-High-Commissioner-calls-for-restoration-of-Australia-Hall-6736129172

But the reality is that the property was always earmarked by the Labour Party for development .

When a group of theatre practitioners made enquiries about it with the upper echelons of the Labour Party, the asking price was 3 million euros plus (tale quale).

Despite its great potential, this was far in excess of what the practioners could put together (developing the space would have required at least another 4 million euros).

Now it seems the Chinese have come up with the cash, possibly even more.

This should keep the party in clover for a few more years (and fund their next election campaign).

Incidentally the Labour Party owns two other important theatres, the Rialto in Cospicua and the Orpheum in Gzira.

Coincidentally both towns fall within the greater harbour area and both are prime contenders for cultural and socio-economic development, two of the main criteria and raison d’etre of V18 European Capital of Culture.

But you won’t find any government-appointed chairman pointing this out any time soon.