By: CHRIS GRAEME
THE OCEÂNICO Group unveiled ambitious plans for two new tourism resorts in Óbidos, north of Lisbon, and Vilamoura in the Algarve at this year’s Salão Imobiliário de Lisboa (SIL), which took place between October 24 and 28.
The two luxury developments, Royal Óbidos SPA & Golf Resort and the Vilamoura Golf & Garden Resort, were officially presented at the annual real estate and property industry trade fair at FIL, in Parque das Nações.
The Royal Óbidos project represents a 160 million euro investment, while the new Vilamoura project involves an investment
 Visitors could enjoy a relaxing massage at the fair Photo: CHRIS GRAEME – The Resident |
 |
totalling 600 million euros.
The Óbidos project will include 650 residential units spread out over a 130 hectare area, and will include a golf course and a hotel. The Vilamoura project will offer 700 units, divided between apartments and villas.
Launch abroad
The two projects presented at SIL were launched in both Ireland and the United Kingdom earlier in October, from where the vast majority of purchasers originate. The two associates who founded Oceânico are Irish.
Oceânico has a portfolio of investments worth around two billion euros, mainly in golf courses, in and around the Algarve, five of which were bought from André Jordan’s company Lusotur.
Other news at this year’s SIL included the nomination of the 175 million euro Edifício do Parque, at the former Expo site, developed by RAR Imobiliária, as the Best Real Estate Project.
It was the second year running that the company was distinguished with the award for the project which has been certificated with the DomusNatura Sustainable Development Certificate.
José António Teixeira, President of RAR Imobiliária, said that the award was the fruit of a strategy that had been developed in the last few years by RAR Imobiliária, which had placed innovation, originality, sustainability and environmental considerations to the fore.
SIL, which celebrated its 10th anniversary, is organised by the Portuguese Industrial Association, Associação Industrial Portuguesa, Câmara de Comércio e Industria and Lisbon Câmara.
This year, the number of visitors passing through the turnstiles exceeded 30,000 people, representing a 32 per cent increase on 2006, while there were 325 exhibitors, 13 per cent up on last year, occupying four halls over an area measuring 37,000 square metres.
Over the four day event, visitors and industry members were able to meet promoters, middle men, developers, builders, public entities, financial institutions offering mortgages, estate agents, architects and companies linked to the commercial and residential real estate business.
International fair
This year the international presence was stronger than ever with exhibitors from Spain, Brazil, Angola, and Cape Verde, representing 28 per cent of the total.
The Annual Real Estate Oscars were also trumpeted at this year’s SIL with the following projects picking up gongs:
Best Urban Restoration Project: Campo Pequeno, Lisbon.
Best Offices Project: Porto Bessa Leite Complex.
Best Residential Housing Development: Spazio, Estoril.
Best Commercial Development: Rio Sul Shopping.
Best Tourism Development: Grande Real Villa Itália Hotel & Spa, Cascais.
Best Foreign Investor: Chamartin – for buying Amorim.
Other news included Spanish developer Chamartin’s decision to invest 700 million euros in shopping centres and offices including Dolce Vita Shopping in Funchal and Monumental Shopping Centre Modernisation Project in Lisbon, and Pestana Pousada and Hotel Group’s decision to invest heavily in Venezuela.
Do you have a view on this story? Email: [email protected]
