Vila Nova de Gaia is an area synonymous with the wine industry and is made up of hundreds of warehouses that vary from up to 200 years old to more recent 20th century additions which are developed almost on top of each other on a hillside over-looking the river and connected by a network of narrow roads.

The challenges of the location has seen much of the industrial activity move away leaving many of the warehouses empty. Our client is still active in the industry and this aspirational concept is about celebrating its history while also creating an attraction that will benefit the whole city by attracting new visitors and stimulating additional investment.

The development saw the restoration of a number of historic warehouses as well as the demolition of several newer buildings to create a new large public square which forms the centre-point of the new development and has been designed to offer stunning views across the river and city beyond.