At Halmann Vella, we take pride in shaping Malta’s landmark developments, our latest being the VOCO Hotel in St Julian’s. Once the site of the Eden Cinemas, this transformation into a contemporary, upscale destination demanded precision, resilience, and elegance, qualities we proudly delivered.
This isn’t our first collaboration with Eden Leisure Group. Twenty-five years ago, we were entrusted with the façade and interiors of Baystreet. That longstanding trust was renewed with VOCO, where our craftsmanship and material expertise once again took centre stage.
For VOCO’s distinctive façade, we used brushed pietra lavica, a volcanic stone known for its strength and textured elegance. Each cladding element was custom-crafted to align seamlessly with the building’s angular design, creating a refined yet bold exterior that stands up to the dynamic coastal environment.
At ground level, we elevated the surrounding public space with a complete paving and inlay road system in porfido, a hardwearing igneous stone known for its rugged texture and natural colour variation. We supplied and laid a carefully selected mix of porfido curbs, random lengths in 10 cm and 20 cm widths, and traditional cubetti measuring 10x10x10 cm. The paving design incorporated curved layouts, particularly in the flow of the pathways, requiring careful detailing and expert stone placement to maintain both aesthetic and structural integrity. d curved pathways that marry traditional European style with modern urban demands. Beneath it all, we constructed a precise concrete subfloor to ensure long-term strength and stability.
In a high-energy location like St Julian’s, finishes must be both beautiful and built to last. We’re proud to have once again played a key role in realising a project that’s set to become a defining presence in St Julian’s for years to come.
