Please read the full article at Publico, published December 1, 2004
Press Release Summary:
Bom Sucesso Resort in Portugal promises a unique and groundbreaking experience as it transforms 160 hectares of land next to the Óbidos Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean into a “Design Resort Leisure, Golf & Spa.” The project involves 14 renowned Portuguese architects, including Álvaro Siza Vieira, Eduardo Souto Moura, and Carrilho da Graça, who were invited to envision residential projects for the territory, resulting in what is hailed as the largest exhibition of contemporary architecture in the country.
In the first phase, the project will feature 199 lots and 165 townhouses, showcasing a diverse array of designs. The architects were given creative freedom, with the only conditions being harmony in implementation and connectivity between projects while preserving the natural landscape. The resort, set to commence construction in the second quarter of 2005, aims to become the main reference in Europe for luxury real estate developments.
The development, occupying the former Quinta do Bom Sucesso, will offer an 18-hole golf course, spa, hotel, equestrian center, shopping area, football field, rowing and sailing club, tennis club, heliport, and facilities for animals. The projects emphasize respect for the landscape, with a unified theme of white as a nod to the region’s history. The resort is seen as a rare and enthusiastic collaboration among architects of various generations.
Concerns about excessive construction are addressed, with only seven percent of the 160 hectares to be occupied. The golf course, designed by architect Donald Steel, will open in January 2005, while other aspects of the project, such as the 180-room hotel, will adhere to contemporary architecture and maintain the region’s vegetation cover. The second phase, dependent on market demands, plans 142 individual lots and 99 townhouses. The overall investment is estimated at 250 million euros, expecting a population of 1,500 to 2,000 residents and the creation of 300 jobs.