Latest news with #PortugueseRiviera
Forbes
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Why The Portuguese Riviera Should Be On Your Real Estate Radar
Glilttering, glamorous Cascais Bay. Rich in stories of intrigue, romance and, long before the 20th century served up Agent 007, fishermen's tales. Alexandre Rotenberg/Shutterstock. From exiled royals to double agents real and imagined, the elegant Portuguese Riviera town of Cascais and its near neighbor, Estoril, harbor stories galore. This wealthy municipality west of Lisbon was a turn-of-the-century haunt for aristocrats in search of its therapeutic thermal waters, before finding wartime fame in the 1940s as a den of espionage on both sides thanks to Portugal's neutrality. While holed up in the Palacio Estoril and working for British Intelligence, the writer Ian Fleming invented the world's most famous spy here. Played by George Lazenby in the 1969 film On Her Majesty's Secret Service , Agent 007 emerges from the waves on Estoril's golden shore after rescuing a drowning damsel in distress. It's also where Edward, Duke of Windsor, retreated to with his own distressed damsel, Wallis Simpson, after abdicating from his short-lived stint on the British throne. Tucked neatly between Cascais and Estoril, Monte Estoril was developed as a 19th-century resort for the well-heeled. For 21st-century wellness and pleasure-seekers, its riches lay in smart new developments. Alexandre Rotenberg/Shutterstock Indicative of the area's modern-day desirability, it's where among the secluded pines of Quinta da Marinha on the verdant headland that sits between Cascais and the Atlantic ocean, football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is building one of the most expensive houses in Portugal, reported to cost around €20 million (~$23.2m). His 300-square-meter (3,330 sq ft) primary suite alone could comfortably house a family mansion. For a century or more, this edge-of-Europe location has been a safe haven. An Eden to many. And so it's fitting that today, as global wealth seeks safe harbors in uncertain times, they are gravitating to this genteel spot whose new focus for development is Monte Estoril on Cascais Bay, where the old Hotel Eden once stood. Occupying prime position between sea and the famed Jardim dos Passarinhos, the luxury apartments—including the full-floor penthouse—at the new MyEden development sold out even before a sales brochure was produced Render courtesy Portugal Forbes Global Properties In its place, rising from the rubble, is the 12-story MyEden, designed by the award-winning Portuguese architect Pedro Reis. His vision for the building includes draping the new Eden in greenery, creating vertical gardens that provide a seamless link between the famous grounds of the Jardim dos Passarinhos behind the old hotel and the sea in front. Interiors and artistic direction come from the French designer with a suitably stellar name, Philippe Starck. This is his first Portuguese hotel—a five-star, boutique affair with 33 rooms. And above will be 32 apartments designed by Reis, including 'the crown jewel of Portugal,' according to Francisco Garcia, partner of Portugal Forbes Global Properties. He's referring to the penthouse that occupies the entire top floor of the building, with 500 square meters (around 5,380 sq ft) of open internal space all on one level. And the same size again in external space, where nothing but some softening foliage comes between you and the glistening ocean. 'At low tide, you can open the windows, smell the sea and hear the waves,' says Garcia. Key to architect Pedro Reis's design for MyEden is a lush drapery of greenery—a vertical garden worthy of the new building's name. Render courtesy Portugal Forbes Global Properties Starck—who has lived in Cascais, and works between Paris and Lisbon—is similarly mesmerized by the big blue. 'The waves. The waves. If I make a caricature, I shall say that I am here for the waves,' he rhapsodized in a speech about Cascais to a gathering of local Town Hall grandees a few years ago. 'When there is waves, there is happiness, which fills me. It's the real power of nature.' 'The demand for homes in frontline Estoril is there, but there is legislation that makes it impossible to build. Without that, we'd have a skyline like Miami to meet demand.' Francisco Garcia, Portugal Forbes Global Properties For Cascais, the MyEden project sets a new price benchmark for this part of the Lisbon coast. Prices have been rising consistently in Cascais for the past 10 years, with Vila de Cascais and Estoril recording the highest average apartment prices across the whole market, nudging €10,000 (~$11,600) per square meter), according to property market data from Confidencial Imobiliário. At MyEden, they average €25,000 ($29,000) per square meter, and elsewhere in prime Monte Estoril, large (upwards of 250 square meters/2,690 square feet) penthouses and duplexes with sea views can command €6 million-plus. Philippe Starck designed MyEden's lower three floors—a five-star-standard hotel with spa, indoor and outdoor pools, fitness facilities, restaurant and concierge. Render courtesy Portugal Forbes Global Properties Next to MyEden, the existing InterContinental Cascais-Estoril, which also has luxury residences above its hotel rooms, 'has proven to be the most exclusive and expensive real estate in Portugal, per square meter,' Garcia says. 'The demand for homes in frontline Estoril is there, but there is legislation that makes it impossible to build. Without that, we'd have a skyline like Miami to meet demand.' By virtue of snaring an already-developed prime beach site, however, Brazilian investment bank BTG Pactual (for whom this is their first Portuguese real estate venture) and local partner, asset managers Sostate, are creating something 'epic,' says Garcia. 'MyEden feels like a continuation of the InterContinental. It's taking that as its guide, upgrading it, making it more boutique with half the number of hotel rooms, and bringing in a internationally renowned brand in Starck.' Luiz Godinho Lopes, director at Sostate, adds: 'We've been working on MyEden, in partnership with hospitality developer Pedro Mendes Leal, for the past 18 years. I believe the outcome reflects our hard work—I couldn't be prouder.' "The crown jewel of Portugal" is how Francisco Garcia, partner at Portugal Forbes Global Properties, describes the 500sqm (5,382 sq ft)penthouse apartment at MyEden. Occupying the entire top floor, it has an equally generous outdoor footprint and panoramic Atlantic views. Render courtesy Portugal Forbes Global Properties BTG have pinned their colors to the Cascais mast by already working on their second project locally, Hotel Oitavos in Quinta da Marinha, where serviced apartments will be operated by the Brazilian brand Fasano. 'With Eden as our first project in Portugal, we have set a high bar for [Hotel Oitavos]' comments Rui Ruivo, partner at BTG Pactual. Luiz Godinho Lopes, director at Sostate, adds that 'we've been working on 'My Eden' for the last 18 years and I believe the outcome reflects our hard work. We couldn't be prouder.' The Oitavos Fasano at Quinta da Marinha is another hotel/residence answering the demand of luxury buyers and investors. Set to open in 2028, Brazil's Fasano Group will transform the current Oitavos hotel into 96 suites and 44 branded residences. Portugal Forbes Global Properties To Portugal's super-rich, Cascais need little introduction—all of the residences in MyEden sold off-plan, even before a sales brochure was produced. 'Cascais has the biggest concentration of wealth in Portugal. If you work in Lisbon and you're wealthy, you live in Cascais,' says Garcia. The same applies if you work in London for one globally mobile commuter who lives in the InterContinental. 'He arrives by private plane on Monday and returns on Wednesday,' Garcia comments, noting that the private airstrip is just a 15-minute drive away. A moneyed haven it may be, but this stretch of the Portuguese Riviera remains a relatively understated one (how else would it harbor all those spies?), devoid of Saint-Tropez or Marbella bling. You will need millions to live on the seafront here, but the greatest pleasures are free. 'Sunsets over Cascais Bay,' says Garcia. And the waves. The waves. Portugal Forbes Global Properties is a member of Forbes Global Properties, the invitation-only network of top-tier brokerages worldwide and the exclusive real estate partner of Forbes.
Daily Mail
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Man United defender Diogo Dalot shows off his dance moves as he ties the knot with his stunning partner Claudia Lopes at a lavish ceremony in 18th century Portuguese palace
Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot and his bride Claudia Lopes danced the night away after a lavish wedding in southern Portugal. In a popular period for footballer nuptials, the Red Devils star tied the knot with his partner at the stunning Palace of Queluz in the Portuguese Riviera on Saturday night. Though none of his club or international colleagues were spotted a series of Instagram stories uploaded to the pair's social media accounts, the occasion was nevertheless marked by jubilant guests who shared in the loving spirit of the night. In one of the clips taken later on in the night, Dalot could be seen taking the stage with Portuguese musicians Richie Campbell and Plutonio. While in another, he and Lopes took to the dance floor with the defender showing his eye-catching moves. Dalot, who joined the Old Trafford club in 2018, and Lopes have been together since 2020. Lopes even joined him in Italy when he spent a year on loan with AC Milan during the 2020-21 season. The couple announced the birth of their first child, a baby girl called Clara late last year. The Portuguese defender showed off his moves as he took to the dance floor later on in the night In addition to the festivities later on in the night, the two also shared a heartwarming moment while delivering their vowels. The beaming smiles could not be swept from the happy couple's faces as they lapped up the love from all their guests in attendance. The special event will no doubt have been a welcome distraction to the United defender after a miserable season for his club. Dalot has been a regular starter under his compatriot Ruben Amorim, who joined the club in November and presided over the Red Devils' worst-ever Premier League campaign. Amorim came under huge pressure after United Europa League final defeat by Tottenham, with some calling for him to be dismissed after only six months in the job. But Dalot backed the boss who has shown faith in him and insisted he is the right man to take United forward. 'I'm 100 per cent sure that he's the right man for us because I see it every day, the standards that he has, what he demands from us, the view that he has for the club, for the players, for the coaching staff,' he said. 'A lot of changes are happening at the same time, but ultimately it's going to be what we do on the pitch. We have to take responsibility from that. 'Nobody apart from us is going to the pitch and try to get results. So this season it's been obviously a very way off how this club should be and the way this club deserves. 'We have to take responsibility on that and take this time that we're going to be away.' Amorim will remain in charge this summer and lead a recruitment drive that he will hope will better equip him to compete next term. Dalot, who has made at least 50 appearances in each of the last two seasons, is expected to continue to feature heavily for the Red Devils next term, with additions in the attacking areas seen as prioritise this window.
Telegraph
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Welcome to World Sevens Football – DJs, smoke cannons and £3.7m prize pot
Of all the unique elements to the new World Sevens Football tournament, the Jaws theme tune being played before a penalty kick was perhaps the most striking. Bizarrely brilliant is the best way to describe the first full day of women's football's new competition. Few knew what to expect from this tournament, which will earn the winners £1.9 million in prize money. Even the teams competing were not sure what was waiting for them when they arrived in Estoril on the Portuguese Riviera. An unpredictable DJ, smoke cannons and street-style football was the answer. Telegraph Sport was on the ground in Estoril to take in and assess women's football's new format. Eyes on the prize There had been questions over how seriously the competing teams would take the World Sevens. Manchester City left several of their big-name players at home in contrast to Manchester United, who brought a full strength squad. But it was clear from the start that every team competing want to win. That is no doubt due to the huge prize money available to the winners. The total prize pot is worth £3.72 million while the winners will take home £1.9 million, with a percentage of the money going directly to players. 'For any team who wins it, it would do a lot,' Marc Skinner, the United coach, said of the prize pot. 'If we then get to the point where we can win the prize money, then of course that can be huge for us as well. But more importantly, the players have to enjoy it and that's exactly why we were here.' Speaking after his side won their second game on penalties, Nick Cushing, the interim City manager, said: 'Because it's new, there's no real jeopardy. If we lost today, we would be disappointed, but it's not like you've been knocked out of the Champions League. 'As the tournament starts to go on, you get closer to the prize money and you get closer to being the first winner, the jeopardy starts to come in and the tactics start to change.' Fun, flair and vibes The seven-a-side format means players are not bound by the strict tactics and principles we often see in the Women's Super League. The whole point of the World Sevens is for games to be entertaining and there was no hint of a low block or a bore draw. In fact, draws are not allowed – with matches having five minutes 'over-time' and penalties if teams are level after 30 minutes. 'I think this format really speaks to the next generation, it's football fun again,' said former United States player Tobin Heath, who is one of the former pros on the player advisory council. Living in the moment 🤣 #MUWomen || #WorldSevensFootball — Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) May 22, 2025 'Football has become so professionalised, so prescribed. We're missing the fun, the feel of what football is, what I fell in love with. I don't see it enough anymore. I think it's being coached out too young, too soon. And even speaking to the players, it's been fantastic.' There was a moment in Bayern Munich's game against Benfica when Tuva Hansen took her shirt off after scoring and was booked by referee Minka Vekkeli. But organisers decided to rescind the yellow card, with the pair then taking part in a light-hearted video. At World Sevens Football, we celebrate joy! @FCBayernEN — World Sevens Football (@worldsevens_) May 22, 2025 Most players seemed to embrace the format and, in truth, when else do they really get to let loose and just enjoy themselves? At the start of each game, the starting seven players are announced on the speaker before they run out onto the pitch. It was clear several found it amusing but many embraced it, with United's starting team all doing cartwheels for their second game. Players clearly enjoyed the opportunity to have fun. City forward Kerolin said it felt like she was back playing in Brazil while United's Gabby George said players have been able to relax after a tough domestic campaign. In addition to Hansen, Bayern Munich appeared to be having a team competition for the best goal celebration. 🎣 Bayern ready to reel in another spectacular win 😜 📺 Watch it all LIVE & FREE on DAZN 🗓️ May 22 🔗 Link in bio #DAZNxW7F #WorldSevensFootball — DAZN Women's Football (@DAZNWFootball) May 22, 2025 🍎Bayern moving into the semis like... 📺 Watch it all LIVE & FREE on DAZN 🔗 #DAZNxW7F #WorldSevensFootball — DAZN Women's Football (@DAZNWFootball) May 22, 2025 'It's enjoyable for the fans, but also enjoyable for us,' George said. 'We've just had a long, gruelling season, we put ourselves under immense stress and pressure because we want to win things. But here we've just been able to let our hair down and show our flair.' NBA-style atmosphere and the fan experience At the start of the tournament, the in-house DJ would play music when players went to take corners as well as when goals went in. The highlight was undoubtedly the Jaws theme tune being played before Ajax midfielder Lily Yohannes took and scored a penalty against City's Khiara Keating. 🎯 Johannes gives Ajax comeback hope from the penalty spot! 📺 Watch it all LIVE & FREE on DAZN 🗓️ May 22 🔗 #DAZNxW7F #WorldSevensFootball — DAZN Women's Football (@DAZNWFootball) May 22, 2025 'I don't know if you're familiar with going to any basketball games, but music is such a part of that culture and we're really trying to bring the culture into the experience of the game,' Heath said. Music during Women's Super League games is something traditionalists would turn their nose up at, and rightly so, but in this format it works. The crowds taking in games were not huge but given the location that is not a surprise – Portugal is hardly a hotbed for women's football. Many of the teams taking part were not announced until a couple of weeks before and more fans may have travelled over had they been given more notice. That is something that organisers will hope to navigate in the future. There did appear to be a sizeable engagement with the tournament, which was broadcast for free on DAZN, on social media. Is the tournament here to stay? The obvious question is: can the World Sevens become a regular part of the women's football calendar? It has certainly been a hit with players. The involvement of Heath, and other former pros such as Anita Asante and Caroline Segers, has been key. Competing teams were impressed by the arrangements made for them and how organisers catered to their specific needs. A lot of the build-up to this tournament centred on injury concerns ahead of this summer's European Championship, and whether players are overloaded. But United's Grace Clinton countered that players would only have been doing the same type of games in training had they not been at the tournament. 'I've heard from a lot of players who are thankful that they have a space to continue to play, to continue to have their fitness, to get their confidence,' Heath said. 'I understand being overloaded, but I can tell you that's like maximum 10 per cent, five per cent, of the footballing population. And I can tell you most of the footballing population, they're being under-loaded. There's so many players that are just craving for minutes.' World Sevens Football is funded by the United States-based philanthropist Jennifer Mackesy, co-owner of National Women's Soccer League club Gotham FC. It is understood there is a commitment to invest as much as $100 million (£75 million) in W7F over the next five years, with further events planned. A second tournament will take place on another continent between November and December, with different teams competing. So, the tournament is here to stay in the short term. It will be intriguing to see whether the interest and excitement can be maintained in the long term, but the early signs show there is definitely an appetite among players for the tournament to continue.
