FTZ Community Foundation came up with the project to revive the then rundown Straight Street neighbourhood in 2008, at a meeting it held for the cultural spaces where to exhibit or perform their work. To address this, the foundation designed the Strada Stretta initiative and financed its first years of operation through the EU funded Interreg Med Project I.C.E. 

The Campaign to rehabilitate Strait Street, launched by means of an exhibition of works by 16 artists at Splendid, in April 2011, generated a strong interest in the area. Since then, the venue provided a base for the performances and exhibitions, rehearsals, meetings, and innovative cultural events of an emerging creative cluster. New start-ups , theatre groups, cultural operators, and young artists and performers have relied on the services offered.