Inditex is expanding on the Iberian Peninsula. The fashion giant has opened in Lisbon what has become the second largest shop in the world of its flagship brand, Zara. This new shop, which opens its doors from Thursday 5 September, is located in Rossio Square in the Portuguese capital. The shop occupies an area of 5,000 square metres spread over four floors, taking advantage of most of the buildings in the area, which are in an advanced phase of refurbishment, including the historic Pérola do Rossio shop.
Inditex continues to focus on large physical shops to enrich the shopping experience, adding improvements in logistics and technology. The new space will offer a wide range of Zara collections.
Richard Gabelich, co-director of the Portuguese development of the Rossio Pombalino project and of SF Investment Management Group, which is advising the owner, said: ‘We are very pleased with the agreement with the Inditex Group, which manages to maintain the balance between the modern future, represented by the leading international fashion retail brand and which has a privileged operational relationship with the Iberian Peninsula, while maintaining the Pombaline characteristics that together we want to preserve. This is an excellent opportunity for Zara to boost the most noble area in the heart of the city of Lisbon and bring in a world-class long-term partner suited to the privileged nature of this location’.
The Rossio Pombalino project, designed by Contacto Atlântico, has been under rehabilitation since 2021. This includes the restoration of structures and architectural details such as Pombaline walls and staircases, ceilings, painted frescoes, stucco ceilings, original light fittings and the manual restoration of more than 20,000 18th century tiles.
Richard Gabelich adds that ‘the historic Pérola do Rossio tea and coffee shop will remain in its current location, as an integral part of Rossio Pombalino, under the management of the original family, having celebrated 100 years in 2023, thus helping to ensure the preservation of the building's historical memory’.
The block has been owned by JCKL Portugal - Investimentos Imobiliários, wholly owned by an international Global Family Office, since February 2018. Rossio Pombalino has invested more than €100 million in the acquisition and refurbishment of this iconic Lisbon building.
