Broadway Malyan Celebrates 30 Years in Portugal, Pivots to Residential Sector
The international architecture practice Broadway Malyan is marking three decades of operation in Portugal with a strategic reinforcement of its activities in the residential sector. The firm anticipates that the ‘living’ sector will become a primary engine of its business, projecting it to represent nearly 50% of its operations in the country, driven by high demand from both developers and investors.
Margarida Caldeira, founder and director of the Lisbon studio, emphasized the breadth of the current housing demand in a recent statement. “Há uma forte carência de habitação em Portugal, transversal a todos os segmentos,” she noted. Caldeira explained that beyond the urgent need for affordable housing for young people and middle-class families, there is a growing demand for a wider array of living formats. “Temos um leque muito mais amplo de formatos que precisam de resposta, como o co-living, o flex-living, as residências para estudantes ou seniores, e as branded residences,” she said, identifying these as underexplored but high-potential concepts in the national market.
Currently, Broadway Malyan is engaged in large-scale residential projects throughout Portugal, including in major hubs like Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve. The firm's portfolio spans from prime and ultra-luxury properties to developments aimed at the middle class. Among the projects currently under construction are Garridas in Benfica, Nama in Carcavelos, and the Elayne Residences in Campo Pequeno and Cascais, with the latter two falling into the branded residences category. The firm is also working on Mima in Parque das Nações, a mixed-use project combining residential, hotel, and tourist apartments. For investors interested in this segment, our page on architects for luxury homes offers relevant insights.
Caldeira also pointed to a significant trend in residential development: the increasing importance of amenities. “Independentemente do conceito, a componente de serviços e espaços partilhados está a ganhar peso, mesmo na habitação permanente de classe média,” she observed. This evolution means that while individual units may become more compact, they are supplemented by integrated facilities that enhance resident well-being.
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While strengthening its residential focus, Broadway Malyan continues its strong presence in the hotel sector, which accounted for 45% of its turnover in the last two years. The firm also remains active in office, retail, and urban regeneration projects, such as the Liberdade 201 office building in Lisbon and the Heart of Porto (HoP) mixed-use development. This diverse expertise is a key strength, particularly in complex urban projects. Exploring different neighborhood dynamics is crucial, as detailed in our Lisbon neighborhoods guide.
Stuart Rough, who co-founded the Lisbon studio with Caldeira, reflected on the firm's journey from a small two-person office to a team of 70 professionals. “We have developed housing, retail, office, and tourism projects, with competences in architecture, interiors, masterplanning, and landscaping,” he said. “We are prepared to continue to grow, in an increasingly challenging world.” This growth is supported by a network of professionals, including the best constructors in the region.
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