White Rocks Complex

White Rocks Complex
The complex as seen from the South East
Location within Malta White Rocks Complex (Mediterranean)
Former names	St. Patrick's Officers Married Quarters
General information
Status	Abandoned (since 1995)
Type	Former military housing and holiday complex
Location	Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, Malta
Coordinates	35°56′0″N 14°28′2″E
Completed	1960s
Opening	1960
Renovated	1979 (converted to holiday complex)
Client	British military
Owner	Government of Malta
Technical details
Floor area	450,000 square meters
Design and construction
Architect(s)	Richard England (for conversion to holiday complex)

The White Rocks Holiday Complex is an abandoned former military and tourism facility located on Malta's eastern coast near Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq. Covering an area of approximately 450,000 square meters, the complex offers stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea but has fallen into disrepair since its abandonment in 1995. Despite numerous development proposals over more than two decades, the site remains in limbo, with deteriorating structures now largely covered in graffiti art.

History

The complex as seen from inside one of the buildings

British military period (1960–1979)

The White Rocks Complex was built by British forces in the 1960s and was originally known as the "St. Patrick's Officers Married Quarters". It formed part of the larger Pembroke Army Garrison, a dispersed collection of British military installations built in the vicinity of Fort Pembroke in northern Malta. The complex provided high-quality accommodation for British military officers and their families, featuring a mix of four-bedroom houses and three-bedroom flats. All units were well-appointed for the time, equipped with telephone connections and individual garages.

The British military presence in Malta began to decrease following Malta's independence in 1964. When military personnel left Malta in 1979, the White Rocks complex, along with other military installations, was handed over to the newly independent Maltese government.

Holiday complex period (1979–1995)

After the British departure, the White Rocks complex was gradually converted into a holiday facility. The conversion was designed by noted Maltese architect Richard England. Under the management of the Secretariat for Tourism, the complex primarily provided accommodation for language students studying in Malta during the summer months. This repurposing allowed the Maltese government to utilize the extensive facilities while supporting the country's growing tourism and education sectors. The complex operated in this capacity until 1995, when it ceased operations.

Abandonment (1995–present)

Since 1995, the White Rocks complex has remained abandoned and has fallen into an increasingly severe state of disrepair. The once well-maintained buildings have been damaged by both natural deterioration and extensive vandalism. Many of the structures are now in a dangerous condition, leading authorities to block off roads leading to the former holiday complex. In recent years, approximately 95% of the complex's doors and windows have been closed off with brick walls to prevent unauthorized entry, though this has not completely deterred visitors.

The abandoned complex has become a canvas for street artists, with most of the remaining walls now covered in graffiti art. The site includes various structures such as tall apartment blocks, smaller houses being overtaken by vegetation, a swimming pool that has been converted into an informal skatepark, and an abandoned bus stop covered in paint.

Graffiti in one of the abandoned rooms

Development proposals

Early development attempts (1999–2010)

The White Rocks development has been in limbo for over two decades, with multiple failed attempts to repurpose the site. The first formal development initiative began in June 1999, when the tourism ministry invited proposals for the purchase and development of the White Rocks area. Three preferred bidders were identified by February 2000: Gasan-Siva Group, Costa San Andrea, and UPA Consortium.

In May 2001, the proposal from Costa San Andrea was approved with a projected completion date of June 2003. By October 2003, the Planning Authority had issued a permit for the €58 million project, with the completion date revised to 2007. However, the development stalled in August 2004 due to disagreements between the government and Costa San Andrea over real estate issues, and the contract was never signed.

In June 2010, the government announced a new €200 million project to transform the site into a sports village with 300 residential units, promising to create 800 jobs. By June 2011, negotiations with the UK Consortium White Rocks Holding Company Ltd had not concluded, and questions regarding the project went unanswered by the government.

Recent development attempts (2013–present)

Following a change in government in 2013, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat announced that the proposed sports village would be relocated elsewhere and a fresh call for expressions of interest would be issued for the development of the site. In June 2014, the White Rocks project was reinitiated by Minister for the Economy, Investment, and Small Businesses Chris Cardona.

By 2017, a consortium known as the White Rocks Development Consortium (WRDC) had emerged as the preferred bidder. The group included British property developers Richard and Ian Livingstone, as well as several prominent Maltese investors from the Bianchi Group, Bonnici Brothers, Mizzi Holdings, Elbros Construction, and the Alpine Group. Their proposal included plans for a seven-star hotel, residential and commercial units, and a large heritage park accessible to the public, with a total investment estimated at €400 million.

However, in April 2017, the project stalled due to disagreements between the government and the WRDC over the value of the land. By 2019, the government had valued the White Rocks site at approximately €120 million, which was almost five times the €25 million offered by the investors. As of 2025, no resolution has been reached, and the site remains abandoned and undeveloped.

Current state

Today, White Rocks is a sprawling complex of abandoned structures spread across 115 acres, offering what visitors describe as "views to die for". The site has become a popular destination for urban explorers and photographers, despite the potential dangers posed by deteriorating buildings. The complex includes dozens of forsaken structures, from tall apartment blocks to modest houses being reclaimed by vegetation. Many of the buildings are adorned with elaborate graffiti, creating an open-air gallery of street art.

The complex sits alongside the main road connecting Valletta to the popular tourist destination of St. Julian's, making it highly visible yet easy to miss.