Costa Prata Portugals Silver Coast is developing a designer niche

Channel Four’s popular program, A Place in the Sun series featured Portugal’s Silver Coast, tipped by Amanda Lamb to be an up and coming property hot spot so I thought it would be good to feature some of the major new development property happening in the area.

Stretching from Porto (a low cost airline base) to Figueira da Foz (125 miles north of Lisbon), plans for a new second airport in Ota near Abrantes have opened up this untouched area of the Portuguese Atlantic Coast and is easily accessible thanks to the new A8 motorway compliments of the Euro 2004 football tournament. The Obidos area is building on a reputation for quality build golf resort projects with prices significantly lower than its Algarve counterparts. Top that with great beaches and more than just a taste of the real Portugal and the appeal is clear.

Ten minutes drive from the cultural centre Obidos is the Bentley award winning Praia D’El Rey Golf and Beach Resort, voted Best Portugal development 2005. Now onto its 4th Phase, Praia D’El Ray has been built with less than half the density of many complexes on the Algarve attracting individuals looking for an environmentally conscious, low-rise development, something Obidos’ local Mayor Telmo Faria is eager to promote.

Praia de Rey is being marketed by Rey Estates

To maintain the area the town hall is looking for projects with vision that will secure the long term appeal of the area. Bom Sucesso has recently received approval, with 14 of Portugal’s celebrated architects the resort is being marketed as a minimalist design haven it will be a permanent showcase for contemporary architecture making the 600 villas and townhouses limited edition works of art. Homes will enjoy natural seclusion overlooking Portugal’s largest natural lagoon and each will have a grass roof to converse energy and blend in with the 18 hole Donald Steele Golf Course. The ₤170m resort is set to complete in 2007 and properties start at 245,000€ for a one bedroom townhouse with hotel managed vacation investment options for yearly rental.

Bom Sucesso is being marketed by Hamptons International

Interest in the area is picking up as The Times Online reports that the greater Lisbon area is a possible host for the Portugal Open in 3 years time. Donald Steele is certainly making his golfing mark in the area with a third golf resort Camporeal scheduled for completion in 2007, which has just released a final selection of 31 fully furnished apartments and townhouses. These ‘Select’ properties will be managed by the Westin Hotels & Resorts under a guaranteed rental scheme. Located 15 minutes inland from the Atlantic Coast and 30 minutes from Lisbon the resort has been short listed for a Homes Overseas Award 2006. Prices start at ₤165,000 for a ground floor apartment rising to ₤305,000 for a 3 bed townhouse.

Camporeal is being marketed by Premier Resorts