At Silves Hills, our vision has always been to create something that transcends the typical coastal development – a Nordic-inspired, future-looking sanctuary rooted in the quiet beauty of the Algarve’s nature. To bring that vision to life, we needed a leader who not only understood the technical complexities of world-class construction but also shared our passion for a more balanced way of living.
Enter Frederico Ferreira, our new Real Estate Development Project Manager and the first local team member to join us on the ground in Portugal.
An Algarve native with over 20 years of experience, Frederico’s resume reads like a masterclass in Portuguese engineering and development. From managing massive infrastructure projects across continents for Mota-Engil to overseeing retail expansion for Sonae, he has spent his career at the heart of the industry. However, after years in the high-octane world of retail asset management, Frederico was drawn to Silves Hills by its “out-of-the-box” philosophy – a project that prioritises well-being and the environment over traditional high-pressure development.
In this interview, we sit down with Frederico to discuss his journey from Lisbon’s engineering halls to the hills of Silves, how he is leveraging his local expertise to build Invego’s vision, and why this project finally provided the balance he had been searching for.
Interviewer: Frederico, it’s great to meet you. Are you the first local team member for Silves Hills in Portugal?
Frederico Ferreira: Yes, I am. We have just set up an office in Silves and, as the project is progressing, have also started to build the local team. My goal is to leverage my deep local network—from municipal relationships to local suppliers—to ensure that Invego’s Nordic standards are perfectly translated into the Portuguese landscape. While there is a 10-member team at Invego working on this from Estonia, my presence here is about bridging that gap and ensuring a seamless, high-quality execution on the ground.
Interviewer: That’s monumental! Tell me about your history and your vision for what you’re going to achieve here.
Frederico Ferreira: I’m an Algarve native at heart. I studied engineering at the Instituto Superior Técnico in Lisbon and began my career in 2006 at Mota-Engil. I spent years working on massive infrastructure projects in Africa and South America, and later supervised construction for Sonae, a retail giant in Portugal.
My vision for Silves Hills is ambitious: I want to set a new benchmark for what a premium residential community looks like in Portugal. We aren’t just building houses; we are building an entire ecosystem with 24/7 service and world-class amenities. My role is to ensure that my 20 years of experience in the “high-stakes” world of construction serve as the foundation for this peaceful sanctuary.
Interviewer: What led you to Silves Hills? It sounds like you were looking for a shift in perspective.
Frederico Ferreira: For the last few years, I was an asset manager at Norfin, and the pressure was immense – no weekends, very little time for my family. During the pandemic, it reached a breaking point. My wife works at a hospital, so while she was on the front lines, I was at home working on my laptop with my daughter literally on my lap. It was a hectic, exhausting time that made me realise I couldn’t keep building projects for others if I couldn’t find balance in my own life.
When I spoke with Toomas, Kristjan, and Vanessa, I realised Silves Hills wasn’t just a job; it was the solution I had been looking for. It resonates perfectly with our “Why” – I am finding my own work-life balance through a project designed to give others exactly that.
Interviewer: What was it about Invego’s “handwriting” that convinced you to lead this local effort?
Frederico Ferreira: I was struck by the culture when I visited the team in Estonia. Even the small details – like everyone taking off their shoes at the office entrance – signalled a more mindful, human way of working. But it was also the ambition. Invego doesn’t just build; they curate communities. Combining that Nordic design philosophy with top Portuguese architects like Paulo Merlini is a novel concept for the Algarve.
Interviewer: What will your day-to-day role look like?
Frederico Ferreira: As the Project Manager, I lead everything from concept to delivery. This means market analysis, managing budgets, and—crucially—navigating the local approval stages with public authorities. My importance here is to provide that local presence and network that a project of this scale requires. I’ll oversee the construction progress to ensure we meet our ambitious deadlines, eventually handing over a world-class product to the new owners.
Interviewer: Do you think Silves Hills is a unique development for this area?
Frederico Ferreira: Definitely. Most developments here are strictly beach-focused. Silves Hills is different because it’s focused on nature and well-being. It is an “out-of-the-box” idea that requires a high level of expertise to pull off, and I am proud to be the one leading that charge here in Portugal.
Vanessa Debeuf: We should also mention that Frederico’s family is his biggest motivation.
Frederico Ferreira: Yes, my 12-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter are my world. Having more time for them while leading a project of this importance is a dream. Beyond family, I love Formula 1, traveling, and my daily square of dark chocolate—for health reasons, of course!.
Interviewer: That’s a great profile, Frederico. It sounds like you’ve found the perfect place to apply your decades of experience while finally achieving the harmony you were looking for. Best of luck!