Castro Group has had an extensive history in the market. How did you manage to uphold this strong position after taking over?

In 1968, following my father’s path, I established our first company focused on construction and real estate development. Later, in 2001, my father, brother, and I launched José Castro & Filhos, specializing in luxury residential development. Despite challenges during the financial crisis in 2010, we adapted by venturing into the retail segment when the residential sector stagnated. In 2018, we reshaped the company into Castro Group, housing five companies catering to investments, development, construction, asset management, and properties.

With two construction companies within the group, how do they influence project dynamics?

The construction firms act as a safety net, crucial in executing envisioned projects. This collaboration ensures smoother execution, especially during the often intricate construction phase. The relationship between developers and constructors, while delicate, ensures necessary adjustments and adherence to timelines, vital for reputation building. Thus, we established Castro Build to integrate these services within the Castro Group.

How do each of the companies contribute to the overall business?

While Icon SICAFI boasts the highest turnover due to handling massive projects, all companies in the group play active roles in bolstering each other’s success. Castro Red, in particular, is pivotal in real estate development, strategizing investment objectives, and conducting comprehensive market analyses.

Where do you see the most opportunity in Portugal nowadays, and which project excites you the most?

Residential projects outside Lisbon, logistics parks in the North, and Algarve’s industrial development present promising prospects. Our focus remains on developing residential projects in cities like Braga, Aveiro, and Algarve. Additionally, the emerging “build to rent” trend holds promise due to its profitability and adaptability.

How do you view Portugal’s future as a logistics hub, considering recent involvement?

E-commerce demands are shaping the logistics sector in the region. Supply chain vulnerabilities are driving the need for more modern and technological logistics centers. Investors, especially institutional ones, are showing interest due to these developments.

What are your key objectives for the next two to three years?

Embracing innovation, technology, and sustainability are paramount for us. Digital solutions to facilitate project visualization and management are a significant investment. FUSE VALLEY and SPARK Matosinhos are exemplars, integrating sustainability and technology.

Our aim is to translate blueprints into reality across regions like Cascais, Algarve, Braga, and Porto. As the market gains momentum, our uniqueness in each project will be our guiding principle.