Last week, The Portugal News interviewed Erik de Vlieger, the founder and CEO of Carvoeiro Branco, where he highlighted the issue of the Algarve becoming oversaturated with tourism properties, a consequence of foreign developers focusing exclusively on building tourist units. Carvoeiro Branco acknowledges the importance of residential development and is placing greater emphasis on this area while continuing to maintain a strong presence in the tourism sector. Erik stated, "We realised the need to develop for the community we are part of, as there is a shortage of housing for both Portuguese residents and international workers, and that needs to change. Of course, we remain committed to creating beautiful resorts, such as Primelife and the upcoming The Court project, both in Carvoeiro”. However, affordable housing remains one of our top priorities.

Carvoeiro Branco is currently managing around 25 projects, with 7 under construction, maintaining a balanced mix of luxury buildings and affordable residential apartments throughout central Algarve. In Lagoa, where the Carvoeiro Branco office is located, Erik and his team are focusing on the Vale da Pipa Residence project - 304 affordable apartments and 20 plots on the outskirts of the municipality. Erik explained, “We are working diligently to bring these types of projects to life, as Lagoa needs housing for its citizens, but we are waiting to start until we receive the necessary building license”. This modern development is designed for both permanent residences and holiday homes.

In Portimão, Carvoeiro Branco is involved in two distinct projects that cover a wide range of the housing market. The first is the Old Sardine Factory project, located in the Riverside area. While its future use remains undecided, the space has the potential to accommodate up to 100 modern, high-value apartments, though no final decision has been made. Additionally, a recently acquired plot is intended for more affordable housing aimed at residents. "We purchased a property block where we plan to build 96 reasonably priced apartments specifically for residents, and I’m very excited about this project," the CEO stated. Erik also expressed a strong desire to develop more affordable residential units in Albufeira, acknowledging the "massive need for affordable housing in that city of the Algarve”.

Credits: Supplied Image; Author: Client;

One of Carvoeiro Branco's most notable projects is "The Court" in Salicos, which Erik is particularly excited about due to its fantastic amenities, prime location, and the fact that half of the complex consists of reasonably priced apartments. This sports-oriented resort will feature 104 studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments, along with a wide range of sports facilities, including a paddle court, gym, sauna, football pitches, and indoor and outdoor swimming pools, making it a family-friendly destination. As the CEO highlighted, “The Court complex’s main focus is sports, so we’ve balanced these amenities with a prime location and competitive pricing to create the ideal home for families and couples who appreciate modern comforts, a touch of tradition, and outstanding outdoor experiences”. According to Erik, the apartments will be available on the market at the end of September or early October, with construction set to begin later in the year.

Credits: Supplied Image; Author: Client;

Another project that Carvoeiro Branco is set to launch soon is Match Lagoa, which diverges from traditional housing developments and focuses on creating a premier facility for high-performance professional football teams. This prestigious complex will feature a two-story hotel with 54 rooms, a restaurant/Club House for team meetings and dining, an outdoor swimming pool for athletes’ leisure and recovery, and two state-of-the-art outdoor hybrid football pitches for elite training. “Match Lagoa is a game-changer for Lagoa and Carvoeiro; it will become a top-tier sports complex, attracting major clubs from around the world,” the Dutch entrepreneur explained. He added, “With year-round guests, this initiative will contribute to stabilising the 12-month economy, a type of tourism we are excited to support”.

In addition to the previously mentioned initiatives, Carvoeiro Branco is making progress on other notable projects, such as Arade Premium Village in Ferragudo, where almost 70% of the units are already sold, and Primelife in Carvoeiro, which has achieved 60% of its apartment sales. With so many current projects and future developments planned, Carvoeiro Branco remains highly active in the region. Each of these new developments brings a unique approach and its own set of challenges, but as Erik de Vlieger emphasizes, "The most important thing is that we always do our part to enhance the housing options and quality in the Algarve”.