Rising from the ashes of the 2012 fire, a modern retail hub brings new life to Portimão
Constructed on the same site as the former Portimão Retail Park which was destroyed by fire in 2012, the highly anticipated Nova Vila Retail Park opens its doors today, Thursday, May 29. This marks the largest retail park launch in the Algarve in over a decade.
The reopening breathes new life into the area just off the EN125 road.
The new shopping complex will have 16 stores, including well-known international and national brands. Its name, “Nova Vila” pays tribute to the 15th-century name for Portimão, “Vila Nova de Portimão”, and the retail park’s architecture, marked by clean white façades, draws inspiration from the Algarve’s cultural heritage.
Two “anchor stores” stand out: Leroy Merlin will triple its size compared to its previous location in the city centre, with a megastore spanning over 9,000 square meters, including a dedicated space for building materials and professional customers. The second anchor will be a major supermarket, the brand of which has yet to be revealed, described as a “strong brand that doesn’t exist in Portimão or the Algarve”.
Other confirmed retailers include Action, offering “good quality products at the lowest prices”, alongside Flying Tiger Copenhagen, Tienda Animal, and Kik, offering a diverse mix from fashion and electronics to pet supplies and home decor.
There will also be a food court set around a traditional-style courtyard, a children’s play area, a bike parking, a Prio fuel station, an electric car charging station, and 832 free parking spaces.
Built using the latest construction materials and technologies, the retail park was designed with sustainability in mind, with key features including solar panels, rainwater reuse systems, electric vehicle charging stations and native drought-resistant landscaping.
With an investment of €20 million, the shopping centre is expected to create over 200 permanent jobs and will help boost the local economy and offer year-round employment, keeping more residents in Portimão and helping the town grow.
The new development is led by Belgian real estate investment firm Mitiska REIM, which now manages seven properties in Portugal, as part of its broader European portfolio.
Follow Inside Algarve Magazine on Instagram and Facebook for more news!
Read also:
