Built during the Crown Colony of Malta, it was a vernacular structure which appears in an iconic 1885 photo of the former fishing village - prior development into a residential and holiday location.

It thus became subjected to demolition and re-development, and the Superintendence for Cultural Property found no objection by claiming that it has vernacular characteristics with no detailed design.

Thus there was minimum interest to develop a community until well in the 19th century, with the exception of few farmhouses, when the course of events and situation in the Mediterranean Sea has changed drastically.

[5] According to Louis de Boisgelin (historian of the Order of St John), in 1805 there was nothing notable as for urban development in Marsaskala, apart from the port which was evidently used as a harbour.

[11] The surrounding land remained mostly arable with traditional terraced fields at the backdrop of the summer residences until the 20th century, when permissions was granted to build apartment dwellings.

[12] People from the Cottonera had built a number of summer residences in Marsaskala, also because in the 19th century the area was under the parish of Senglea.

[19] the Jerma Palace Hotel was opened in the locality which led to a consequentialism further development; this has resulted in the change of use of the area, and sea activity took a minor role since the 1980s.

[21] A number of building blocks, in the vicinity of Triq ix-Xatt and close to sea, were deemed an eyesore and unsustainable to the village in 2010.

[22] This and other formalized the question whether Marsaskala has adopted Bugibbisation, which happens when a large concentration of buildings overshadow the characteristics of a traditional Maltese village.

[24] The first group of houses in Marsaskala were constructed around the mid-19th century, during the Crown Colony of Malta, and some were built to be used for the primary sector such as fishing, but also for leisure.

[12][28] Some of the traditional houses in the street were demolished and replaced by modern buildings, described as being mediocre in terms of architecture and aesthetic design.

[29] The building at 3, Triq ix-Xatt (Marina Street),[30][31] Marsaskala, was located between the front of scheduled Villa Apap Bologna with its adjoint chapel and the main promenade of the village.

[41] Until more buildings became on demand and some roads were required to be constructed, patrons of summer houses freely walked from their doorsteps on natural coast formation to the sea for a swim.

[41][56] The building is found in an area of high economic income for development, at the seaside of Marsaskala where a chain of restaurants operate.

[56] The Planning Authority has received an application (PA/02240/17) from Architect Christopher "Chris" Mintoff, on behalf of developer Michael Stivala, for the complete demolition of the building at 3, Triq ix-Xatt, and to be replaced by another higher structure.

[58] He has criticised the Planning Authority for its weak and nonsense policies over its development decisions, saying it goes as far as issuing permits against building regulations and having its functioning operating in a "bureaucratic mess".

[57] During this time, the case officer inspects the place, sets meetings with the Architect and Developer, and informs about the results to pertinent authorities.

[57] The proposed application was first published in the Malta Government Gazette on April 2, 2017, as a Legal Notice requirement, and appeals could be received until May 12, 2017.

[57] The report was discussed with the commission or board during the agenda which took place in the same month on the 21st, which made the decision to grant the permission on the same day.

[57] It is common for the Planning Authority to give permission for demolition when the bad practice of using cement, that makes the building deteriorates, takes place.

[68] In March 2018 it was announced, by Minister Owen Bonnici (Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government), that Pace will be terminating his position as a superintendent and the vacant role to be filled by Joe Magro Conti.

[83] Heritage NGOs, such as Din l-Art Ħelwa (National Trust of Malta) and Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (Together for a Better Environment), have opposed the demolition of the building.

[36][45] The NGOs believe that vernacular buildings, whether in urban development or in rural environment, should be preserved as a main Maltese characteristic in architectural heritage which generally gives character to a given village.

[56][84] The executive president of Din l-Art Ħelwa, Maria Grazia Cassar, became a militant spokesperson against the demolition of vernacular buildings in rural and urban environment.

A meeting was set up by Din l-Art Ħelwa where the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition and other distinguished people were invited.

Driven by the outrage of many other residents, the Marsaskala Local Council has shown opposition and supported similar views of the objectors.

[88] In May 2011, prior to the application, Carmel Cacopardo of Democratic Alternative has described Marsaskala as a "Concrete Jungle" saying that many houses have been replaced by unsympathetic buildings.

According to public discussion online this happens because of political interventions that intervene to favour the developers with the entities responsible for building regulations.

[55] Minutes Reports Academic Gazettes Magazines Newspapers Online news Websites Dissertations Media related to 3, Triq ix-Xatt at Wikimedia Commons