The Marvila Masterplan, a major regeneration project covering approximately 28 hectares between Marvila and Beato on Lisbon’s eastern riverfront, has been approved by Lisbon City Council. Developed by the consortium of MVRDV and OODA in collaboration with LOLA Landscape Architects and Thornton Tomasetti, the proposal introduces a new urban and landscape framework for one of the city’s largest redevelopment areas.
The masterplan will deliver approximately 1,400 homes alongside public facilities, retail, and community services, transforming a fragmented and largely abandoned site into a connected urban center. Structured around four districts—Açúcar, POLU, Beato, and Madre Deus—the project creates distinct neighborhood identities while linking them through a continuous network of public spaces, green corridors, and mobility infrastructure.
Reconnecting the City and the River
Located between central Lisbon and Parque das Nações, the Marvila site has undergone centuries of transformation, from agricultural land to an industrial zone shaped by railway infrastructure. Despite its strategic location, the area has remained disconnected from both the city and the River Tagus due to obsolete infrastructure, vacant plots, and limited public space.
The masterplan addresses these divisions through a landscape-driven approach that prioritizes connectivity and accessibility. Building heights and densities are carefully adapted to the surrounding urban fabric and topography, while courtyards, open blocks, and pedestrian routes ensure permeability across the site.
A central urban park forms the backbone of the proposal, linking all four districts through a sequence of squares, gardens, and green corridors. Designed as both ecological infrastructure and public amenity, the park integrates walking and cycling paths, urban allotments, sports areas, and event spaces, while also improving access to the waterfront.
Infrastructure, Sustainability, and Public Life
A key aspect of the project is the integration of existing infrastructure into the urban experience. A new deck built over the Northern Line railway tracks will reconnect Chelas Station with the riverfront, creating new public spaces and viewpoints over the Tagus. The proposal also includes a new station building for Marvila and a reorganized road network prioritizing pedestrians and cyclists.
Environmental resilience is central to the scheme. Water retention and infiltration systems, drought-resistant planting, and biodiversity habitats are integrated throughout the landscape strategy. Renewable energy systems, including solar panels, as well as the reuse of heritage and natural elements, contribute to lowering the project’s carbon footprint.
Among the preserved features are the historic Convento do Beato and a centuries-old rubber tree, which will become the centerpiece of a new public square.
A Long-Term Vision for Marvila
The masterplan has undergone two rounds of public consultation, allowing local feedback to shape both the program and design. Developed as a private initiative in coordination with Lisbon City Council and Infraestruturas de Portugal, the project is expected to move into the next phase following approval of the Execution Unit stage.
Future steps include environmental impact assessments, urbanization works, and land subdivision, laying the groundwork for the long-term transformation of Marvila into a vibrant and sustainable urban district.
Lisbon’s Marvila Masterplan Project Details
Project Name: Marvila Masterplan
Location: Lisbon, Portugal
Year: 2022–Present
Client: 1875 FINANCE
Size & Program: 278,896 m²; housing, retail, landscape, and public infrastructure
Architects: MVRDV & OODA
Landscape Architect: LOLA Landscape Architects
Partner in Charge: Peter Veenstra
Structural Engineer: Thornton Tomasetti
Project Coordination: PFXCO
Image credit: OODA
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