Portuguese property developer Oceânico will launch its new 600-million-euro Vilamoura Golf and Garden Resort, set close to their five recently acquired world-class golf courses, on 4th October 2007.

The five-star resort will combine 20 per cent property with 80 per cent gardens crafted by TV landscape designer Diarmuid Gavin. Owners of the Portuguese property will also be entitled to membership of seven Algarve golf courses when the Nick Faldo and Christy O'Connor Jnr designed courses open at the Amendoeira Golf Resort in 2008.

The resort, situated on a 170-acre site half-an-hour's drive from Faro airport, is designed in a Moorish theme to complement local architecture.

"The garden design and developments were originally going to be of a Japanese theme but this didn't quite work in Portugal" says Gavin, who met Oceânico Directors Gerry Fagan and Simon Burgess at the A Taste of Dublin event last year.

Fagan was also dissatisfied with the original designs for the Portuguese property development. "Our architects were trying to push us towards square boxes made from glass and steel but you can have these anywhere," he says. "The people that come to Portugal want to get a sense and feel of the place and in Vilamoura, the home of the Moors, what better place is there for Moorish architecture?"

The designs for the Portuguese property resort's extensive gardens have been inspired by the Alhambra in Granada, Spain, and will include Islamic design qualities such as central water features, mosaic pathways and external pavilions and fireplaces. The gardens will also use vegetation already on site and Portuguese plant species to reduce the need for excess water.

"The gardens are the main part of the development, not just an add-on," says Gavin. "This is a garden development; I see it as the building of botanic gardens with houses on it."

The Algarve resort will comprise of two- and three-bedroom apartments, two- and three-bedroom linked villas, four-bedroom semi-detached villas and four and five-bedroom detached villas. Deluxe two-bed apartments start at 485,000 euros with luxury villas ranging from 2,000,000 to 2,500,000 euros.

In a broad statement, Fagan explains why studio apartments aren't included in their Portuguese property development plans. "The market just isn't there any more for studio apartments. The British and Irish buyers want something with comfort, closer in style to their own homes."

After seven years of Portuguese golf and property development in the Algarve, Oceânico will also launch their €280 million Royal Óbidos Spa and Golf Resort in October, located on the relatively untouched Silver Coast with its sandy beaches, inviting coves and wooded interior.

The development is situated near the hilly, tranquil medieval village of Óbidos in the Oeste tourist region of Portugal, a 45-minute drive from Lisbon airport. Oceânico will join with partner MSF to complete a range of luxury properties, a hotel and spa and an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Seve Ballesteros.   

With unique sea-views and access to the watersports haven of Lagoa de Óbidos, the UNESCO World Heritage site in Sintra and numerous surrounding coastal villages, famed for their fish restaurants, Royal Óbidos will include a variety of Portuguese property with two- and three-bedroom apartments and two-, three- and four-bedroom villas.

"The Silver Coast is a stunning part of Portugal and is rightfully attracting growing interest from investors," says Burgess. "Óbidos offers a very special atmosphere, combining historical charm, Portuguese traditions and friendly people, and with Royal Óbidos Spa and Golf resort we are committed to complementing the existing style with the highest standards throughout our property development."

The resort will also include a condominium hotel and spa, with one-bedroom studio suites and two-bedroom lock-off apartments available for purchase. Prices range from 365,000 euros for a two-bedroom lock-off apartment to 945,000 euros for a four-bedroom villa.

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Article first published 12 September 2007