Rise like a phoenix: New retail park being built on the same plot of land as the previous retail park that was destroyed by a fire in 2012
– July 11, 2024 | Text Michael Bruxo
Construction of Portimão’s Nova Vila Retail Park started on June 4 with a symbolic ceremony to lay the first stone, organised by Belgian developer Mitiska REIM.
The new retail park is being built on the same plot of land as the previous retail park that was destroyed by a fire in 2012, located a stone’s throw away from the EN125 road and just a few minutes’ drive from Portimão and the A22 motorway.
Representing an investment of over €20 million, Nova Vila Retail Park is expected to create over 210 new jobs and open in the first half of 2025.
It will feature 17 stores, headlined by two so-called “anchor stores” – a supermarket and a construction and DYI store – as well as a food court, a standalone store and a petrol station.
“Nova Vila Retail Park is going to revitalise this part of Portimão and create a sustainable commercial destination, which will fixate consumption and create new jobs,” says Enzo Guidez, country manager for Mitiska REIM in Portugal. “It is a project that was studied for several years, and we have no doubts that it will be one of the best retail parks in the country.”
The developer adds that the retail park is inspired by traditional Algarve architecture, with the white walls of the building reflecting “different shades of light and shadow”.
The covered walkway in front of the shops will provide some “much-needed shade” in a region as usually sunny as the Algarve, while the food court will be built in the middle of the parking area – which will boast 832 spaces – being designed like an ‘island’, with a courtyard surrounded by orange trees. The food court will also have chimneys designed to resemble “traditional Algarve chimneys”.
The ceremony to lay the first stone was attended by Portimão mayor Álvaro Miguel Bila – who helped plant one of the orange trees to celebrate the occasion – alongside councillors João Gamboa, Teresa Mendes and José Cardoso.
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