The Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development has relocated one of the three planned 17-storey residential towers in Villimalé to protect indigenous Alexandrian Laurel trees in the area.

According to ministry officials, the original design was revised after assessments found that construction on the initial site could damage the large native trees. The relocated tower will now be built near a State Electric Company (STELCO) facility in Villimalé. The two remaining towers will proceed as planned on a site opposite Muhyiddin School.

Officials stated that the Government remains committed to completing the 300-unit housing project while preserving the area’s natural environment.

The development, which is being built on rent-free land, is scheduled for completion by mid-2028. The project’s groundbreaking was held earlier this year by Bank of Maldives, while construction has been contracted to Rasheed Carpentry and Construction Private Limited.

The Villimalé housing project forms part of a wider national housing initiative being implemented under the Maldives Monetary Authority’s Inclusive National Affordable Housing framework.

Through the initiative, the BML Affordable Home Leasing Company is overseeing the development of 3,260 housing units nationwide, including an additional 2,700 units across Phase I and Phase II of Hulhumalé.