A track in time
A historic property in Attard is reminiscent of the romance of trains and glamorous neighbors.
Trains carry a certain romance – there’s the loud whistle of anticipation, the slow roll of wagons out of the station, chance conversations with strangers, trends or waiting at stations , and the still look out the window as the world passes. .
Malta’s railway history is a short – but intense – chapter. The original proposal was to connect the old capital, Mdina with the new one, Valletta, and reduce the journey time between the two to less than half an hour. The railway line opened in February, 1883 – the first train left Valletta at 3pm and arrived in Mdina some 25 minutes later.
Only seven years later, Malta Railway Company Ltd went bankrupt and the train stopped working. The government took over the train and traffic reopened in 1892. However, competition from trams and buses was too fierce and the railroad ceased operations on March 31, 1931.
Its noble intentions are visible in the welcoming front garden, a large central courtyard, and bare stone balconies with wonderful views of the historic surroundings.
Some of the railway buildings still exist – while the topography still hints at Malta’s past love for railways. In Attard, behind St. Anton’s Palace, the Station Garden sits on the ground where the Attard station used to be. And the name of the street – Triq Il-Linja – is reminiscent of ongoing trains.
And right on that corner is Central View Cottage – from its balcony and roof, the views of Malta’s train – and beyond to St. Anton’s Gardens – would have been unparalleled.
Today, the property wears well its past. And what past he has. It is located in one of the most prestigious neighborhoods, rubbed with historic and noble residences – and in its time, it would have had conversations with its noble and famous neighbors, including the zoologist and ethologist Desmond Morris. The author of Naked Ape lived in Villa Apap Bologna and hosted personalities such as the natural historian Sir David Attenborough. This was in the late 1960s, when the famous British – including the famous author Anthony Burgess – went to Malta, attracted by the sun and a fixed income tax rate of 2.5 per cent.
Built in 1903, the house is semi-detached built on a plot of about 650 square meters. The property would have been the residence of Lord Gerald Strickland’s driver and butler and their families – and indeed, her noble intentions are visible in the cozy front garden, a large central courtyard, which she enjoys. range of natural light, bare stone balconies. with wonderful views of the historic surroundings.
Central View Cottage also has a large garden at the back, with enough space for a swimming pool and entertainment areas. The architecture is well planned – for example, the central courtyard is connected to the back garden by a corridor, which means that in summer, a pleasant cool breeze blows through the house. Also from the courtyard – which includes a rainwater cistern – there are stairs, leading to an underground shelter of World War II.
Such a function is beautifully married to form – indeed, the details, such as floral wrought iron work in the banisters and stair railings, are still proud, more than a century later.
Once converted, Central View Cottage will make a beautiful home – with the potential to accommodate an entrance hall, study, sitting and dining room, kitchen, and on the first floor, a large drawing room, bedrooms and Spacious bathrooms, and all beautiful. Family home never need.
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