Situated in the heart of Rabat in Gozo, Townhouse 17 is a boutique hotel which is based on the concept of a traditional townhouse which was very common in Malta and Gozo in the ‘70s. A townhouse is typically a property with a small footprint and multiple floors. Although Townhouse 17 is a new building, the same concept was used for the architecture to give homage to the building that was there before while respecting the urban environment of Gozo. The use of Maltese limestone, wrought iron decorated railings, wooden apertures, and the traditional staircase were crucial to achieving the original townhouse aesthetics.
The interior design of the hotel is a combination of ‘70s style combined with a contemporary Scandinavian design which was gaining popularity in the same era; eventually becoming a staple in the design world over the years. The marble flooring used in the common area, the terrazzo tiles in the rooms, the wood cladding on the walls, the coloured feature walls, and the bright funky colours used in the furniture all resemble the original townhouse design with a modern twist, inclusive of all the amenities required in a hotel. Geo Ponti was also a source of inspiration with its geometric patterns. This inspired the bathroom floor; the rest of the bathroom design was kept simple and minimal to make the room feel spacious.