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Aug 13, 2023

Christian Louboutin to Sharon Stone—a Low

Take a morning stroll down Portugal’s sandy Comporta Coast, which stretches

Take a morning stroll down Portugal's sandy Comporta Coast, which stretches roughly from the Sado estuary down to the Beja region along the Atlantic Ocean, and there might not be another soul in sight for miles. The presence of quiet dunes in lieu of mansions hovering over private beaches instills a sense of calm.

Just 75 minutes south of Lisbon, Comporta and its neighboring villages in the Alentejo region have been quietly drawing high-end homeowners for years, including the likes of designer Christian Louboutin, architect Philippe Starck and actress Sharon Stone. Though growing interest is igniting an increase in development, certain laws are aimed at preserving the organic Hamptons-esque tranquility, making this an ideal time to tap into the market and claim a piece of pristine paradise.

From locally owned surf shops and boutiques to shiplap-laden restaurants and cafes reminiscent of fishing villages, Comporta's vibe is bohemian to the core. Don't expect to find a Prada or Longchamps store here. Instead, browse through casual clothing and housewares at Lavanda. Dine on seafood and local specialties at the rustic Cervejaria Marisqueira da Comporta. Sample a glass of red Alicante Bouchet or white Antao Vaz at a wine tasting at Herdade da Comporta. It's all about simplicity and relaxation in this region.

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Small, white-washed buildings with classic blue accents and red roofs can be found throughout the charming villages. But modern luxury is just a step away. Amid the expansive flat landscape, rife with cork trees and rice paddies that extend to the ocean, are sprawling high-end homes. Most are single-family houses and detached villas with white facades and beachy woodwork.

"It is a very unique and recognizable look," said Vitor Paiva, license partner of Engel & Völkers Comporta. "It is also very common for new builds to be equipped with thatch to reflect the history of the traditional fishermen houses in Comporta."

Properties located within a mile or so of the coast often have small to medium plots up to approximately half an acre, according to Paiva. Farther from the coastline, plot sizes increase to approximately 12 to 24 acres and usually include more luxurious villas.

Unlike many coastal communities, the price doesn't always go up the closer to the ocean you are. Many factors, including privacy, the surrounding area and available amenities, contribute to a home's desirability.

"As you drive along a road that feels very much like it's made of sand, you’ll see low wooden fencing or a gate with a discreet little sign and a road that leads to a hidden house," said Anthony Lassman, CEO of London-based Nota Bene Global Real Estate. "Most of the houses are single-story, and many are surrounded by trees, large gardens and boardwalk pathways. It's all very natural. There are pockets that are more sought after that have larger lots than others. I also tell clients to be mindful of the rice fields, where at certain times of the year, the mosquito problem can be significant."

The Comporta region includes over 12 miles of beach and extends a total of nearly 38 miles of Alentejo coastline. There are many villages similar to Comporta in the area, each with its own draws. Carvalhal, just a few miles south, offers restaurants, shopping and a grocery market. A couple miles north of Comporta, dotted by original huts and a stilted port, Carrasqueira is a fishing village with restaurants, bars and shops. Other villages of the region include Possanco, Brejos da Carregueira and Muda.

Though the properties throughout the region are mainly summer vacation homes, many belong to Portuguese nationals and Europeans, so they are frequented often enough to lend a year-round energy to the sleepy villages. A mix of retirees, young professionals and families from the U.S., Mexico and Scandinavia round out many current home-seekers.

Alexandra Borges, 55, a retiree and former client of Living Portugal Property, first visited the region in the 1990s from her home in Lisbon and was immediately taken.

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"Comporta was where I came on holiday 30 years ago, so it has a special place in my heart," she said.

Living in Valencia, Spain, in 2019, Borges purchased a ruin with permission to build a vacation home of 500 square meters (about 5,300 feet). She now spends a few months a year in Comporta. Just 15 minutes from the beach, she can socialize, then retreat to her private home.

"It's peaceful, safe and beautiful," she said. "I love the community spirit, the incredible nature and stunning beaches. As Lisbon is only an hour away, I frequent there at least twice a week for culture and entertainment."

As the domestic and foreign demand for real estate continues to rise, it has become increasingly posh.

"Celebrities and the European nobility have already given proof of having placed Comporta among their privileged destinations due to the feeling of refuge away from the spotlight of the media," said Jorge Martins, commercial director at Ilustre Real Estate.

The competition for homes in the region is not yet restrictive, but a strong increase in interest for property has caused prices to rise.

"A villa with 200 square meters [about 2,100 feet] of living space or a new-built with average finishes can reach an asking price of up to €2 million [about US$2.2 million]," Paiva said. "With even more luxurious finishes and in a very good location, prices can reach up to €5 million. We are expecting that prices will remain on a very high level, with average square-meter prices between €8,000 and €12,000."

Demand is also being driven by an attractive return on investment, which can vary between 4% and 10%, Martins said. Special tax breaks, such as the Golden Visa, which is slated to end this year, and non-habitual residency have also been a draw to investing in a home.

As demand increases, so has development in the region. There are currently more than a dozen projects under development or in the licensing phase. Projects such as Terras da Comporta, which integrates the allotments of Torre, in Alcácer do Sal, and Dunas, in Grândola, occupy a total of 1,367 hectares (about 3,400 acres) and more than €2.3 billion of planned investment.

As development expands, Lassman is keeping an eye on whether it will have a positive or negative effect. He and his company are watching the area, both north and south, within a 25-mile radius, to see how many units are likely to be built over the next five years and what impact that will have.

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"So often is the case the charm can go," he said. "I hope that they’re going to be really careful. When we’re advising people, we rate the development. If we think there is too much that's going to take place, then there could be a concern that it could become overdeveloped."

Thankfully, much of the land in the region is currently protected by the government as a natural preserve, which allows the retention of its signature rice fields, salt ponds and pine woods.

"Comporta is undoubtedly picturesque and one of the most beautiful regions of Portugal," Paiva said. "Charming, authentic medieval villages, endless rice fields, untouched nature and a scenic coastline with sandy beaches are just some of the attractions."

This article originally appeared on Mansion Global.