Quinta de Santo António

[1][2] In 1870, it was acquired by the English firm Falmouth, Malta & Gibraltar (later referred to as the Eastern Telegraph Co. and, finally, the Cable and Wireless Co.), who began work on the palace, with the intent of adapting it to serve as a local headquarters.

[1] In the same year, the St. Julian's Association created a school (linked to the British Consulate) occupied some of the space in the palace, following the reduction in staff at the Cable and Wireless Co. to 9 employees.

[1][2] The two-floor facade, one of them partially buried and defined by circular oculi (framed in stonework), has three bodies, with an axial structure decorated by pinnacles over plinths.

[2] The side bodies, which are identical, have regular opening spans with simple masonry framing, with 5 windows that are followed by the illuminating oculi on the partially buried floors.

[2] In the southern rear elevation, there are three wings attached to the main building at equal distances, that defines a facade comprising 5 symmetrical sections from a central module.

[2] Within the wall, is a central module aligned with a slightly curved gate, which can be accessed across a rectangular floor and roof vault, which corresponds to the old Casa de Fresco and used as offices.

[2] The building has a central atrium, from which develops for each wing a corridor arranged in the longitudinal direction that articulates with compartments oriented to the northern and southern facades, generally with ceilings differently decorated with stuccoes.

[1][2] The partially buried floor, is defined by thick walls (corresponding to the foundations and the primitive zone of the construction), deserves attention since it includes an edge vault with a well.