The palazzo was a private residence purchased in the late 19th century by a Maltese philanthropist by the name of Vincenzo Bugeja. In the 20th century, the property was used to house a number of poor and underprivileged families living in Valletta, but in 1994 it had to be closed off, as it had become unsafe for tenants to live in. The palazzo was purchased by the current owners in 2016, and consequently converted into a stylish boutique hotel. Opting for a fusion of textured materials and surfaces, such as concrete, glass and steel, the design team has created a wonderful environment and space in which the seemingly raw and lavish collide.