A former factory in Matosinhos is being converted into a multifunctional space that will house companies, restaurants, shops and services. The future Smart Park Matosinhos, a 20,000 square metre project, will be completed in April next year, the result of a 35 million euro investment by the Castro Group.
The new Spark business centre will have around 11,500 sqm with offices, flex working/coworking areas and 1,800 sqm dedicated to commerce and services, with the aim of making day-to-day life easier for users and the community. The business centre will also have 4,000 sqm of leisure and common areas, as well as a car park with 377 spaces, including electric charging points and areas for bicycles and scooters.
This project, guided by the motto ‘Reframing MORE CONNECTED spaces’, reflects a unique combination of refurbishment, technology, community, connection and nature. The public presentation session, which took place on Wednesday, was attended by the Deputy Mayor of Matosinhos, who discussed the local impact of the project and the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors for the rehabilitation of urban areas. The event was also attended by Paulo Castro, CEO of Castro Group, and Paulo Merlini, the architect responsible for the project, who had the opportunity to present all the details of Spark.
‘Spark Matosinhos symbolises our vision of urban revitalisation, combining a historic legacy with sustainable innovation. We are excited about the opportunity to create a unique space here that will be a meeting point for people, ideas, business, architecture and nature,’ said Paulo Castro, CEO of Castro Group. ‘More than a development, the aim is for Spark Matosinhos to be a place of experiences, capable of awakening feelings of well-being in its users, motivating them to want to stay and come back,’ he added.
Paulo Merlini, CEO & Founding Member of Paulo Merlini Architects, mentioned that ‘as the architects responsible for designing one of the first smart buildings in our country, we feel great pride in presenting a building that not only redefines the concept of workspace, but also promotes sustainability and the well-being of its occupants. The entire building has been designed with a holistic approach, integrating cutting-edge technology, sustainable solutions and biophilic design.’