The Malta Independent, 25 October 2008
Initial restoration works have commenced on Roseville, an early 20th century house built as a summer residence in Attard that showcases one of the finest and earliest examples of art nouveau in Malta. The works that are being carried out by the applicant are the result of a close working collaboration between the Malta Environment and Planning Authority and the applicant.

A plan for the restoration of Roseville was submitted together with an application that included the construction of an old people’s home adjacent and on the rear of the property. The property was earmarked to house the administrative quarters of the home. A permit was issued in April 2004, together with an approved restoration method statement, conditions for monitoring of the restoration works by Mepa and a e23,256 (Lm10,000) bank guarantee to ensure compliance and restoration. Furthermore Mepa scheduled Roseville as a Grade 2 building in June 2006.

Roseville was built as a summer residence by the proprietor, Dr. W. Briffa. It is complete and authentic in all its elements, such as the architectural fabric and the decorations, including its fixtures and fittings. The type of art nouveau motifs of this building indicate a French or North Italian stylistic influence.

The property is important because of the following:

• the aesthetic qualities of the architectural features and style

• it is unique in design and an authentic representation of the period

• it is still in a very good state of preservation

• it is a point of reference in the urban texture and contributes greatly to the townscape

• historically it is the only building in the Maltese Islands in this architectural grammar

• it represents the influx of foreign artistic influence successfully adapted to integrate the local vernacular in the early nineteenth century

• it is also important within a context as it forms part of a series of villas and traditional period town houses in the old urban fabric of Attard.