A new chapter for an ‘undeniable landmark’ in Silves’ collective memory, poised to become a key visitor attraction
For over a decade, the once-bustling Fábrica do Inglês in Silves has stood silent, its gates closed, its iconic buildings slowly surrendering to time. Home to an award-winning Cork Museum and venue to countless concerts, exhibitions and events, the complex seemed destined to remain an overlooked eyesore in the heart of the former Algarve capital.
But now, the page may finally be turning. Two local real estate developers, Antrix and Carvoeiro Branco, have announced the acquisition of the site, promising to bring Fábrica do Inglês back to life.
“It’s a privilege and an honour to take control of Fábrica do Inglês,” said Erik de Vlieger, co-founder and president of Antrix and CEO of Carvoeiro Branco.
Describing the complex as an “undeniable landmark in the collective memory of Silves”, de Vlieger said the goal is to preserve its identity and bring it back to life with a renewed purpose that “honours the past, respects its history and adds value to the territory”.
The first step will be the reopening of the Cork Museum, which, back in 2001, was named the Best Industrial Museum in Europe and welcomed more than 100,000 visitors in a single year. Inside, time has stood still. Erik de Vlieger recalls finding a 2005 newspaper still lying on a desk, as if workers had “simply walked away one afternoon” and never returned. “It’s phenomenal; to be inside it is mind-blowing,” he said.
Alongside the museum, the historic Casa de Chá – a 19th-century chalet that once charmed visitors with its tea service – will be restored, starting with urgent repairs to its roof. The space will reopen as a tea house, a nod to its past.
Meanwhile, Antrix and Carvoeiro Branco will be relocating their offices from Lagoa to Fábrica do Inglês, further strengthening their ties to Silves. A boutique hotel is also set to rise within the complex, offering somewhere between 40 to 50 rooms.
Despite the ambitious plans, the developers stress that the complex’s historic architecture will be respected and preserved, with the entire project expected to take five to six years and represent an investment of €20-25 million.
The Fábrica’s story began in 1894, when it was founded as a cork factory. Cork was once one of the Algarve’s leading industries, shaping the region’s economy for over a century. In 1908, a British manager, Victor Sadler, was brought in to run the operations, giving the site its enduring nickname: Fábrica do Inglês, or The Englishman’s Factory.
After production ceased, the site was reborn in 1999 as the Cork Museum and a cultural venue. For years, it hosted concerts, art exhibitions, and events that made it the beating heart of Silves’ cultural scene. That all came to an end in 2009, when the company managing the space went insolvent.
What followed was a long decline – 10 years of abandonment and missed opportunities. “I walked around with 10 years of anger,” de Vlieger recalls, revealing how his attempts to purchase the complex a decade ago were refused. “How could people let such a phenomenal piece of real estate, so important for the history of the Algarve, just rot away? I didn’t stop until the moment I bought it.”
However, according to Erik de Vlieger, the municipal council of Silves has played a crucial role in pushing the project forward. Mayor Rosa Palma, Deputy Mayor Luísa Conduto, and Councillor Maxime Sousa Bispo all lent their support, providing the institutional backing needed to make the purchase possible and prevent further deterioration of the site. The developers also credit Banco Atlântico Europa as a key partner in making the deal a reality.
Carvoeiro Branco, under Erik de Vlieger’s leadership, has been linked to Silves for nearly two decades, most visibly through its sponsorship of Silves Football Club, led by Carlos Placa. Now, with their offices set to move into the Fábrica itself, Antrix and Carvoeiro Branco are making a permanent commitment to the town.
The first priority is the urgent repairs and the reopening of the museum. Erik de Vlieger is optimistic: “We will start working on some of the urgent things [in the next few months], like the roof of the Casa de Chá.”
The full project, however, will take years to complete. “It’s a big plan, a marathon.” Once finished, he believes Fábrica do Inglês will become one of the area’s top attractions. “The Castle of Silves is the biggest tourist magnet,” he says. “This will be the second.”
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