No single building was large enough to house a hospital for wounded British, Maltese and Neapolitan soldiers, so four sites were chosen.

[5] In June 1990, an application to demolish the building and replace it with a maisonette and forty-four garages was submitted to the Planning Areas Permits Board.

In late 1994, the building was scheduled as a Grade 2 property, meaning that the interior could be altered or demolished but the façade must be kept intact.

That year, the applicant asked for a reconsideration, and Minister of Education and Culture Louis Galea overruled the Director of Museums' recommendation to retain the façade.

[7][9] Labour MP Evarist Bartolo formally called for the resignation of Louis Galea due to his approving the demolition.