Broadway Malyan Marks 30th Anniversary in Portugal with Strategic Shift to Residential
The architecture studio Broadway Malyan is celebrating three decades of operation in Portugal, a milestone that solidifies its role as a leading force in the country's architecture and urban design market. The firm, founded in the UK in 1958, established its first international office in Lisbon in 1995. Today, that office, located in the historic Rossio Station which the firm itself rehabilitated, employs around 70 professionals and serves as a strategic hub for the global group. Directed by Margarida Caldeira and Stuart Rough, the Portuguese operation is now pivoting to concentrate heavily on the residential sector, which is projected to account for 50% of its turnover in 2025. This move is a direct response to market needs and emerging trends, a topic of interest for those following real estate market insights.
Margarida Caldeira emphasized the necessity of this focus, stating, “There is a strong housing shortage in Portugal, especially for young people and middle-class families.” However, she elaborated that the firm's strategy extends beyond traditional housing. “But talking about housing today goes far beyond that. There are new formats—co-living, flex-living, student and senior residences, or branded residences—that the national market is only now beginning to explore.” This indicates a move towards more diverse and flexible living solutions. The firm is already developing projects that reflect this, including the Garridas project in Benfica, Nama in Carcavelos, and the Elayne Residences, a branded residence concept in Campo Pequeno and Cascais. Another project, Mima in Parque das Nações, exemplifies a hybrid model by combining housing with hotel and tourist apartments.
The firm anticipates that the 'living' sector will be a primary engine of its activity in the coming years, driven by significant demand from both developers and investors. Broadway Malyan is currently engaged in large-scale residential projects across Portugal's key markets, including Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia, Lisbon and its surrounding municipalities, and the Algarve. These projects span the entire market, from prime and ultra-luxury properties to developments aimed at the middle class. A common thread across these diverse projects is the increasing value placed on amenities. “The concepts differ... but there is a common trend that is beginning to emerge in all of them: the valorization of amenities,” Caldeira explained. She noted that shared services and spaces are becoming more important, allowing for more compact private living areas supplemented by integrated facilities that enhance resident well-being. This is a key consideration for developers and constructors in the current market.
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Over the past 30 years, Broadway Malyan has been involved in some of Portugal's most significant projects across various sectors. The hotel sector accounted for 45% of its turnover in the last two years, with seven hotels opening in 2025 alone. The firm also designed notable office and retail projects, such as the Liberdade 201 building and the World of Wine in Vila Nova de Gaia, a major urban regeneration project. Stuart Rough, who co-founded the Lisbon studio, reflected on the firm's growth from a two-person, 12-square-meter office to its current state. “We want to continue creating projects with a real impact on the lives of people and cities,” he stated. The firm's legacy is built on combining a global perspective with local sensitivity, a principle that will guide its next phase of growth, with a strong focus on innovative residential architecture. Those looking to engage with such firms can find them among other leading architects in the region.
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