HERITAGE BUILDINGS

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 Monday, August 24, 2020 - 09:44
HERITAGE BUILDINGS

A legacy in the South District

by DAVID DIAZ

Most of you know about my musical background and my lineage but there is also my background and lineage in the property world. My great grandfather Lewis Francis I is quite pivotal in the construction of various properties across Gibraltar. One of those is the building I live in, Matilde Francis Building. The building has forty one flats and I can say without sounding biased that it truly is a gem in the South District.

In a turn of fortunate events, I was able to sit down with my mother Giselle Diaz who is one of the ten landlords the building has. The other landlords are her eight cousins and one Aunt. I was able to quiz her on the legacy of the building as well as her memories of it and more.

"My late grandfather Lewis Francis bought the land where he later built Matilde Francis Building in the late 1940s. The reason he bought this plot was because it was at this site where he was born in 1902 his childhood home used to stand. As a tribute, he even named the building after his mother who later moved into the building upon its completion in 1954."

The completion of the building was delayed because some plans had to be altered as well as to obtain the relevant building permits.

ADVANCED

"The architect that designed the building had very advanced ideas for the time. He also designed Trafalgar House which was also previously owned by my grandfather."

AWESOME VIEWS

One of the building's key elements is that the flats that are sea facing can boast of tremendous views and spectacular sunsets too. When asked about this; Giselle said "They are awesome views."

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24-08-2020 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR