A stone’s throw from Lisbon but worlds apart in its gentle pace and unassumingness, Melides has gained a following in recent years with creatives moving on from neighbouring, more “sceney” Comporta. The appeal of the Alentejano coast remains undeterred with its landscape of rice fields, umbrella pines and cork trees tucked away behind a sleepy coastline. Yet, woven amongst fishing villages, forests, and ancient olive groves, signs of gentrification paint a picture of growth.
Contemporary villas are owned by an impressive list of high-profile names, including Christian Louboutin, Philippe Starck, Belgian architect Vincent Van Duysen, telecoms billionaire Xavier Niel, and German artist Anselm Kiefer. In fact, Louboutin was so enamoured with its charms that he even opened his first boutique hotel here, signalling a new era for the previously unheard-of enclave. Hotel Vermelho is quite the statement for this unassuming part of Portugal with its flamboyant design full of sculptures, brightly coloured tiles and rich fabrics.
Then there’s Pa.te.os, where famous Portuguese architect Manuel Aires Mateus designed four angular villas as holiday rental villas.
Founded by art collector Miguel Carvalho, Melides Arts is a unique project and arts hub where multi-functioning residences double up as galleries, studios or workshops. Signalling the area’s association with world-class art and creativity, the idea is that like-minded designers and artists contribute and thrive as a visionary community surrounded by protected nature.
Meanwhile, for longer term investors Spatia Melides is a collection of 3 and 4 bedroom open plan residences amongst olive groves and cork trees, some reaching €15 million. These have access to upscale hotel facilities, including a state-of-the-art gym, hammam, yoga and pilates studio and a hair and beauty salon.
Discovery Land Company’s CostaTerra Golf & Ocean Club also belongs in this category, having launched their first phase of ownership opportunities with forty private residences. With a championship golf course by architect Tom Fazio and a whole spectrum of lifestyle amenities, the development echoes Discovery Land Company’s focus on members-only residential golf communities for UHNW buyers.
With strict planning and environmental laws that ensure developers build at least 800m from the beach, it’s easy to see the appeal of Melides. Its paths appear untrodden, its charms remain intact, yet this is a sophisticated haven where fashionistas, architects, and captains of industry keep second homes. And with little chance of anything interfering with its credentials, it looks like they’re there to stay.