MILITARY BARRACKS dating from the 18th century at Cascais’ historic fort and citadel are to be converted into a pousada-style hotel and luxury tourist apartments.
The Câmara, which has thrown open the development to a public competitive tendering bid, says it is the only way to maintain the historic Grade I listed citadel, Forte de Nossa Senhora da Luz, in good order without recourse to the rate payer.
The refurbishment project for the old royal naval fortress was agreed by Cascais Câmara members at a meeting last week.
A new municipal company, Fortaleza de Cascais, has been set up to oversee the project.
The President of the Câmara, António Capucho, admitted that various parties were interested in the redevelopment project, which will offer the tourist group a 35-year renewable option contract lease which could be extended to 50 or 75 years.
In return, the Câmara would receive an up-front lump sum of 135,000 euros for the lease while the eventual investor would have to fork out 1.8 million euros for a 50 year lease or 2.8 million euros for a lease lasting until 2079 which would go to the state.
However, not all members on the Câmara are happy with the project. Carlos Carreiras (PSD) said he felt “uncomfortable” about the possible concession of the ancient fort to a hotel group. Pestana is said to be among the interested parties.
The Câmara planners state that it is likely to limit the number of the apartments to just 20 T1 and T2 units measuring 2,800sqm in total.
Work on the redevelopment, estimated to cost 12 million euros, is scheduled to go ahead at the end of 2009 and should be completed by December 2012.
Part of the citadel, including various museums and a visitors’ centre will remain open to the general public.
“We’ve done everything possible to make this project an attractive one to investors, within what is reasonable,” said Bernardo Pinto Gonçalves, President of the Cascais Fortress, adding that the Câmara would ensure that the site would preserve its historic and cultural value for both visitors and the general public.
The overall citadel, part of which dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries and in 1871 became a royal residence for Dom Luís I, is mooted to eventually house the future Cascais Museum of Archaeology and the Casa-Museu Paula Rego.
Do you have a view on this story? Email: editor@the-resident.com
