This industrial building was originally a sardine canning factory established in 1934, two streets back from the ocean in the port town of Matosinhos Sul. It is now known as ANTIGA FÁBRICA DO PRADO , the Old Prado Factory, a residential building where dynamic professionals and families can build their life by the beach while staying connected to the northern capital, Porto.
ing heritage has over the last years become the most sought after residential areas in Greater Porto.
distinguish where Porto ends and Matosinhos begins. The two cities share much in common though they are quite distinct. Porto lives and breathes urbanity and tradition whereas Matosinhos Sul is younger, more contemporary and in many ways more easy-going than its neighbour. The balance of the cosmopolitan centre and seafront refuge as well as the proximity to the Parque de Cidade and Foz has made Matosinhos Sul a highly desirable place to live.
Matosinhos Sul offers an excellent quality of life, close to the sea and beach, with endless recreational and leisure opportunities full of greenery, greengrocers and green living. There are two main municipal markets for fresh food and produce and the city
perfect for walking and cycling. While famous as a
Matosinhos are that it is renowned in both the music and architecture worlds. The national jazz orchestra of Matosinhos was established in 1997, helping to put the city on the music festival circuit. Several key buildings and monuments in Matosinhos are considered landmarks of contemporary art and architecture. Janet Echelman’s ‘ Sea Changes ’ adorns the entrance to Matosinhos, and Álvaro Siza, who was born in Matosinhos before becoming a world-renown architect, designed both the Casa de Chá da Boa Nova and Piscinas da Maré .
The Mercado Municipal de Matosinhos is the indisputable nucleus of the old town, serving its original
and the like. That said, it is also a monument to public interest and a reference point for modernist architecture. In recent years there has been a parallel and dynamic development of local businesses in the
clothes to artisanal shoes. Alternately, every Saturday there is a farmers' market around the corner in the Parque Basílio Teles and, for a glimpse into the lat ar-
food, one can head down the coast to the Mercado Municipal de Angeras.
Matosinhos Sul is a stop on the blue line (Linha A) on the Porto Metro system, meaning it has a direct link to the Porto city centre. Matosinhos Sul is also within a one-block radius of 12 different bus routes, making it indubitably the most well-connected neighbourhood in Matosinhos.
The beaches that span the coast of Matosinhos for 15 kilometres are each rich with character and legend. These include Praia de Matosinhos, Leça da Palmeira, communities in the region at Praia da Angeiras. The city’s active lifestyle. As for greenery, Matosinhos is closer to Porto City Park than Porto itself. The park spans 85 hectares and is crossed by over 10 kilometres worth of trails and pathways.
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Antiga Fábrica Prado is within walking distance of the famed Parque da and sports courts. Known as the largest urban park in the country, Parque da Cidade is a refuge for locals who want to exercise, stroll, have picnics or outdoor birthday parties.
gram in the North of Portugal, oriented to sports, ac-
es with accredited instructors, activities such as Surf Safaris, Surf Camp, classes in schools and colleges, and social projects for people with disabilities. Though the headquarters are based on the Matosinhos beach, the club also operates on other beaches, always in search of the best waves. The Club has a Pre-competition team intended to train young people into future professional surfers. Both the school and our coach João Diogo are the only ones in the North of Portugal recognized with the sports merit by the Secretary of State for Sport.”
• our local business partner
Matosinhos is known as the seafood capital of the north for good reason. Its gastronomic heritage is situated between the Entre-Douro and Minho styles. The formerly rural heritage of the city mixed with the industrial development in the mid-twentieth century is perceptible in its fresh, straightforward seafood cuisine, a testament to
the burgeoning new demographic of Matosinhos‘ inhabitants - and the ease with which the city lends itself to a healthy lifestyle - means it is also now easier than ever to
contemporary approach to both its decor and service,
their restaurant. Fish varies according to the season, but dourada, turbot, sea bass are frequently found at Meia Nau, as are the traditional Portuguese dishes. The bar, which works together with the restaurant, serves outstanding cocktails.
• our local business partner
“Chelo Coast House is your neighbouring beach bistro and shop. In the kitchen, Marie and her team operate in music and good vibes to make you feel at home, with vegan seasonal lunch and brunch, local specialty coffee, beer and juice bar. Jorge selects long-lasting wear by pioneering, responsible brands, surf and bike gear for your needs in and out of the city.”
• our local business partner
we know today as Terrárea by bringing to Matosinhos their generational connection to greenery and nature, as well as the artistic values and concepts acquired along their paths. Their house is the product of hard work and determination to inspire the community tovironment and well-being.”
• our local business partner
Whether you want to start the day at the farmers market before dropping the kids off at surf club, have a seafood
coffee before heading to the beach, here is a snapshot of Antiga Fábrica do Prado’s neighbourhood.
Antiga Fábrica do Prado BY THE SEA
1 Go Natural Organic Supermarket 1 min walk (100 m)
2 Lidl Matosinhos
3 Pingo Doce
4 Mercado Municipal de Matosinhos
5 Mercadona
6 Metro Matosinhos Sul
7 Terminal de Cruzeiros Cruise Terminal ON THE SEA
1 Mariadouro do Atlântico
2 Parque da Cidade
3 Praia de Matosinhos Beach | 2 min walk (200 m)
4 OF THE SEA
1 Chelo Coast House
2 Meia-Nau Sea food Restaurant | 10 min walk (800 m)
3 Rua Heróis de Franca
4 Terrárea
WEST WING
Once Consevas Prado, a sardine cannery established in 1934, this old factory is on one of the main avenues of Matosinhos, 200 meters from one of the most beloved beaches in greater Porto. The factory operated until the year 2000 but has since been left, as the Portuguese say, ‘ao Deus dará’ - unattended.
Qualive acquired the building from a family generationally involved in the canning industry. Our project plans to maintain the factory’s original facade and outer character. We will be building sunlit gardens on the south, west, and east side of the building. The apartments, each facing inner gardens and sharing a co-working space, gym, parking and a pool.
Antiga Fábrica Do Prado is in the heart of the Matosinhos Sul neighbourhood, surrounded by gourmet restaurants, fashion outlets, and organic supermarkets. The building's co-working space will be ideal for those who have established remote-working jobs, the gardens perfect for young families raising children, the gym and pool an ideal base from which to build on an active lifestyle.
The project will be home to residents who look for an ideal mix of urbanity and liberty - clear water, wide sandy beaches, green parks, fresh seafood, reneighbourhood.
The project will be led by Maria Vasconcelos, an architect based in Porto who has worked alongside renowned architects such as Eduardo Souto Moura, Manuel Aires Mateus, and Adriano Pimenta for over a decade. Maria Vasconcelos has experience developing a variety of projects, ranging from family housing
brought on by Qualive as part of its female-led team.
For this project, Maria's focus will be to honour what architectural elements made this building such a long-standing, functional and contemporary factory while bringing in light, movements, and beauty to its new life.
When any factory is built the essence of its needs are space, sturdiness and safety. Traditionally, brick and metal play their role in this creation. To those inherent qualities and materials, we plan to add the elements of light, beauty and character, bringing a new, brighter life to the Antiga Fábrica.
The ceilings are composed of a series of shallow vaults
construction technique typically found in the industrial facilities.
The original window frames and exterior grills of the factories are preserved or recreated in wooden frames, maintaining a strong industrial identity of the past of the factory.
Brick is a traditional material in industrial construction and we use it throughout as an emblem of the sardine canning factory the building once was.
The modern addition to the industrial past is made in pigmented concrete. The simplicity of concrete paired with the warmth of color bring forward the comfort of modern living through the industrial past.
Architecture: Q.Arch led by Arq. Maria Vasconcelos
Engineers: DAJ Engenheiros Associados, Lda
Architectural Visuals:
Combo Architects Studio
Graphic Design: Artur Faria
Copy: Isabella Toledo
