Welcome to: Downtown Palmela

We, André Amaro and Maarten Baas, bought 13 hectares of land in Palmela, Portugal. The land is a part of Arrábida National Park, some 30 minutes from Lisbon and just 10 minutes from the beach. There are a couple of buildings (or should we say ruins...?) which could become a restaurant, a B&B, spaces for artists in residence, workshops, tiny houses, greenhouses, etc. The fertile ground will keep on giving oranges, walnuts,  avocados and more. Our coffee bar is already fully operational, run by a funny team of elderly locals. 

In July, a forest fire burned most of the land. How unfortunate this might be, we want to see it as a fact of life, and a good start for our project. 

We would say ‘For more information, just email us’ but actually, what we’ve just told you, that’s all the information we have. There is no plan, nor a planning. We let it grow, just like nature. But you’re welcome to email us if you like fixing roofs or planting trees! And, with regards to the forest fires: if you know anything about water management, you're more than welcome! We might see you, Downtown Palmela.

André Amaro & Maarten Baas