VIA Outlets has unveiled a €6,500 m² expansion of its Vila do Conde Porto Fashion Outlet, increasing the centre's capacity by over 25% to 31,000 m² of gross leasable area. The development, which adds 31 stores and four restaurants, positions the centre as northern Portugal's only premium outlet destination as Porto's tourism sector continues its rapid ascent.
The expansion introduces brands including Lottusse, New Era, Pandora, Pedro del Hierro, Tommy Hilfiger Kids, Vans, Volcom, and Zara Home For&From, alongside renovated spaces for Armani, LINDT, Rituals, and Tommy Hilfiger. Tourists now represent nearly 25% of visitors to the centre, reflecting Porto's emergence as one of Europe's fastest-growing city break destinations.
"Our investment in the major expansion of Vila do Conde Porto Fashion Outlet reflects our confidence in the continuing strong performance of the centre as the dominant premium outlet destination in northern Portugal," said Otto Ambagtsheer, CEO of VIA Outlets.
"Rising numbers of visitors and brand sales have been bolstered by the region's dynamic local economy and the growing attraction of the city of Porto as a European tourist hotspot."
For investors, the Vila do Conde expansion signals a broader shift in European retail real estate, where outlet centres near secondary cities with strong tourism growth are outperforming traditional metropolitan locations. The centre's BREEAM 'Outstanding' sustainability rating, the highest achievable certification, also addresses growing ESG requirements from institutional capital, with features including rainwater harvesting, solar panels, and low-consumption LED lighting supporting VIA Outlets' net zero by 2050 target.
Designed by international architects L35, the expansion incorporates the Women Art Fellowship gallery and installations by designers Joana Astolfi and Cristina Rodrigues. New dining concepts include Vila 953, offering refined Portuguese cuisine, and Delfina, a creative informal dining space. A VIP Lounge has been added to serve the growing tourist demographic.
"This expansion marks the next step in a journey that began in 2017 when VIA Outlets acquired Vila do Conde Porto Fashion Outlet," said David Kervyn de Lettenhove, Business Director Iberia of VIA Outlets. The centre underwent a major refurbishment in 2021 before this latest expansion. VIA Outlets, wholly owned by Dutch institutional investor APG, operates 11 premium fashion outlets across Europe with over 1,100 stores across 281,000 m² of GLA.
People mentioned:
- Otto Ambagtsheer, CEO, VIA Outlets
- David Kervyn de Lettenhove, Business Director Iberia, VIA Outlets
- Joana Astolfi, Designer
- Cristina Rodrigues, Designer
Companies mentioned:
- VIA Outlets, Owner-operator of premium fashion outlets
- APG, Dutch institutional investor and owner of VIA Outlets
- L35, International architecture studio
- Pandora, Jewellery brand
- Lottusse, Footwear brand
- New Era, Headwear brand
- Pedro del Hierro, Fashion brand
- Tommy Hilfiger, Fashion brand
- Vans, Footwear and apparel brand
- Volcom, Action sports brand
- Zara Home, Home décor brand
- Armani, Luxury fashion brand
- LINDT, Chocolatier
- Rituals, Skincare brand
