The Male' city council announced on Tuesday a project to demolish the Sinamale' flats and redevelop the social housing complex with 1500 new units to be built under two phases.
Built more than 30 years ago, the Sinamale' flats are in state of disrepair. Male' mayor Dr. Mohamed Muizzu told Adhadhu that the maintenance cost for the flats was high every year. Repairing the flats was not a permanent solution, he added.
"What needs to happen is for a new building to be constructed and new flats to be provided," Muizzu said.
The city council has made an announcement seeking investors to carry out the work under a developer finance model.
While there are about 128 units in the Sinamale' and Male' Hiya flats, the same number of units would be developed in the first building to be constructed under the new project, Muizzu said.
Tenants who have gained ownership of Sinamale' flats after completing payments would receive a new flat. Those who have not completed payments would only have to settle the outstanding amount owed for their Sinamale' flat.
Project details
Under the first phase of the new project, 700 units would be developed in five towers. In the second phase, 800 units would be developed in five buildings.
Two types of units are to be built under the project: standard units and premium units.
Standard units are mid-range housing with a minimum of 800 square feet. The units would have three bedrooms, three toilets, a sitting room and a kitchen. Between 300 and 350 of these units are to be built.
Premium units are high-end apartments intended for sale at high prices. These units would also have three bedrooms, three toilets, a sitting room and a kitchen. But unlike the standard units, the finishing work would be of a higher quality. Between 150 and 200 of these units are to be developed.
New services are also to be established in the redeveloped compound, including parking space for 2000 motorcycles and 500 cars as well as supermarkets, shops, offices, gyms, cafes and restaurants.
