São Lourenço do Barrocal
Status: in operation
Arriving here for the first time, you immediately sense the uniqueness of this incredible place.
Sprawling across the undulating plains at the foot of the whitewashed hilltop village of Monsaraz is the Barrocal estate, its vast expanses dotted with gnarled olive trees and cork oaks.
Once a thriving farming village, the estate underwent a renaissance, retaining its essential simplicity while updating it for a contemporary, rural lifestyle.
From its inception in 2002, the principle guiding every aspect of Barrocal’s rejuvenation has been to cultivate modern hospitality and a rare sense of retreat, whilst maintaining the heritage of an Alentejo landmark.
José António Uva, the eighth generation of the same family to have owned the property and lived here, was always keen to see the intelligent development of the whole region, which required extreme sensitivity to the land. For Barrocal, this meant the restoration of the nineteenth-century ‘monte’, the quiet presence of residential architecture and the avoidance of anything that might detract from the natural and agricultural environment that has existed here since time immemorial.
So the idea of enabling the comforts of modern country living in Barrocal was embraced, while keeping the natural setting intact to ensure that the quality of life offered by the estate lasts well into the future, when many more may call it home, too.
Preserved for future generations to enjoy, since 2016 Barrocal has once again been teeming with life and energy, becoming a catalyst for the region’s renewed growth. It’s an evolution – authentic and considered, celebrating nature and history.
Location
Monsaraz | Portugal
Year
2002 – 2016 Development
2016 Opening
Architecture
Eduardo Souto de Moura
Landscaping
João Gomes da Silva
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Role
Concept Development
Branding
Architectural Refurbishment
Construction Management
Interior Design
Project Management
Operations and Hospitality Management
Marketing
