Historic Beato Convent Church Reopens as €6 Million Event Space Named 'The Chapel'
The city of Lisbon has inaugurated a new cultural and artistic venue, The Chapel, following a €6 million rehabilitation of the former church at the Convento do Beato. The project, designed by the architectural firm Risco, converts the historic building into a versatile space with a capacity for 500 people across a 1,400 m² area. It is equipped for conferences, corporate meetings, workshops, and brand activations. This development is a significant addition to the city's MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) infrastructure and a noteworthy project in the ongoing neighborhood news of Beato.
The venue's international premiere is set for the opening night of the Tribeca Festival Lisbon 2025 on October 29, which will host the world premiere of the feature film 'In the Hand of Dante,' directed by Julian Schnabel. This high-profile launch signals the venue's ambition to attract prestigious global events. The Chapel is a key component of the Beato Quarter, a wider urban regeneration project with a total investment exceeding €70 million. This larger initiative covers the redevelopment of 10 historic and industrial buildings from the 19th and 20th centuries.
The Beato Quarter project encompasses over 18,000 m² of intervention, with 8,500 m² designated for new housing and 3,500 m² for landscaped courtyards. This mix of commercial and residential development is expected to significantly enhance the area's economic vitality and livability. Such large-scale projects often involve complex legal and planning stages, where guidance on legal issues in property acquisition is essential.
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Catarina Quina Barros, the Director of the Convento do Beato, stated, “The Chapel expands the offerings of the Convento do Beato with a more versatile proposal, conceived for for those who value exclusive experiences in spaces with history.” She added, “By recovering and rehabilitating an old chapel, we preserve a significant part of Lisbon's heritage and create a center of culture, creativity, and business, contributing to the sustainable development of the city and the economic dynamism of the surrounding neighborhood.”
The architectural design spans two floors and includes a small terrace, merging historical features with contemporary design to provide flexibility for various event formats. The lower level contains ten 'Little Chapels,' which can be used as breakout rooms or for brand activations. The upper floor is characterized by a high, longitudinal ceiling, making it suitable for large conferences, lunches, or presentations. The official grand opening of The Chapel is scheduled for 2026, when it will become fully operational for corporate and cultural events, aiming to establish itself as a new cultural landmark in Lisbon. For investors looking at unique property types, engaging with professionals who specialize in historic restoration can provide valuable insights. Monitor new development opportunities at realestate-lisbon.com.