Edwin Mintoff Architects has been awarded the European Prix Versailles World Architecture & Design Award for their restoration of the Macina in Senglea, Malta, now home to luxury all-suite boutique hotel, Cugó Gran Maċina Grand Harbour. Travel PR agency Pilot PR finds out more.
The prize was announced by the secretariat of the Prix Versailles, in association with UNESCO and with the International Union of Architects (UIA). The Prix Versailles is awarded in recognition of the best projects around the world and the winners are rewarded for their “extraordinary architecture and design”.
Edwin Mintoff Architects won the prize in the ‘Exterior Hotel Design’ category and is now invited, along with the winners of the other categories, to compete for the World Title. The successful participants will be unveiled at the World Finale being held at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris this September.
Cugó Gran Maċina Grand Harbour opened in January 2018 following the meticulous renovation of the Macina, an iconic Sheer Bastion structure which was originally built in 1554 during the reign of Grand Master Claude de la Sengle. Juxtaposing the old with the new, Maltese architect Edwin Mintoff created the hotel’s luxurious minimalist design whilst preserving original historic features to blend natural and traditional materials with modern, clean lines. The architecture incorporates glass and natural light to throw relief on the high vaulted ceilings, chalk-white walls, limestone, and slate in the large communal areas.
The Prix Versailles award follows Edwin Mintoff Architects also being awarded the Din l-Art Helwa prize for ‘The Rehabilitation and Re-Use of Buildings’ and the Malta Architect Award in ‘Hospitality, Tourism Accommodation and Leisure’ for the restoration of Cugó Gran Maċina Grand Harbour. They were also shortlisted for the Premju Galizia Urban Regeneration Award.
"We are over-whelmed by this award," says Sarolta Mike, Hotel Manager of Cugó Gran Maċina Grand Harbour. "Edwin Mintoff’s work to restore this landmark building has been phenomenal. He has preserved a special piece of Malta’s history and we now have the privilege of sharing this with the guests of our hotel. We wish him luck in the finals!"
Cugó Gran Maċina Grand Harbour is part of the Cugó Gran Collection which is under the management of IBB Hotel Collection. IBB currently operates 15 hotels across Europe and is part of the Von der Heyden Group which has over 25 years of expertise in leisure and real estate.
Rates at Cugó Gran Maċina Grand Harbour, a member of Design Hotels™, start from €159 per night room only.
Reservations: tel: +356 2711 2711; visit www.cugogranmalta.com