GAP developing for the future
Design
GAP developing for the future
One of the leading developers on the Island is without doubt GAP Holdings Ltd . It ’ s name has appeared alongside various prestigious projects in Malta , Fort Cambridge and Baystreet among others .
Design & Build met Managing Director Paul Attard to discover what makes GAP tick … and to get his thoughts on today ’ s marketing trends for the property development industry .
F or the past 15 years , Paul Attard and his fellow directors at Gap Holdings Ltd have had their eyes open for every development opportunity made available on the market . It was therefore not improbable that a Melliehi would have spotted an ideal site in his own town which had the makings of a unique project .
This is now known as the “ Southridge ” Mellieha project ; the result of GAP ’ s ability to identify optimum opportunities with quite unique selling propositions , to action projects at desirable market conditions and to also be willing and able to offer a new experience to demanding clients . This high-end product is situated on the outskirts of the Mellieha village and offers extensive and unique natural views as one of its major differentiating factors . From its high position , residents will enjoy incredible views which even extend to Mosta , Qawra , Ghajn Tuffieha and Mgarr . It is south facing , with all the advantages that that obviously brings . “ Hence its name ,” explained MD Paul Attard .
He continued explaining that following their in-depth market study n its potential , it was realised that anyone interested in purchasing property in Mellieha had very specific requirements in mind . These included floor space of apartments on the larger side than normal and they also wanted a high end property .
The study indicated that apartments must be spacious , that it should not be a gated community , and obviously to be very well finished .
As a result of these findings “ we drastically reduced the number of apartments we could erect to cater for these very specific client needs ” added Mr Attard . “ Now we are able to offer apartments with an average area of around 220 sq . m ., all bedrooms with en suites , as the market demands .”
Mr Attard also noted that though , as in everything prices vary according to the options being offered , the more important thing is that they remain affordable .
VALUE FOR MONEY
He added that if one were to assess what the market is looking for at the moment , one would come up with the obvious answer that the basic requirement is value for money , irrespective of how much one is spending on the property – Eur50k - Eur100k - Eur500k . “ The client wants to be assured that what he ’ s paying for is what he ’ s getting . Obviously there can be other specific demands for particular and different areas but on a general rule the demand is to get what you ’ re paying for ” explained Mr Attard .
He sees the modus operandi of a typical family today as encompassing the fact that every member of the family has a job and therefore the demands on where the family lives are also somewhat constrained by all these pressures . Mr Attard felt that these days families look for size and comfort as a priority and a large house , perhaps family owned or inherited , may not offer the right comfort levels that a largish , well planned quality apartment can bring with it .
DESIGN & BUILD Q1 , 2017
21