Marvila Studios: Martinhal brings hybrid hospitality to East Lisbon

Martinhal has announced Marvila Studios, an innovative hybrid hospitality concept located within the Edu Hub Lisbon campus, in the fast-emerging Marvila district of East Lisbon.

Designed as a flexible accommodation model combining hotel-style services with guests ranging from university students to young professionals, digital nomads and short-stay visitors, Marvila Studios reflects changing patterns in how people travel, study and work internationally.

A new ‘Hybrid Student Hotel’

Marvila Studios has been conceived as a vibrant, dynamic and innovative hybrid hotel-style concept, designed to serve multiple accommodation needs across the year:

• University student accommodation during academic terms

• Short-term professional and corporate stays

• Digital nomads

• Innovative and value-oriented accommodation for leisure guests

The development will include 374 branded studios, designed by Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) award-winning architect Eduardo Capinha Lopes. Each unit incorporates a private bathroom, kitchenette and innovatively designed storage. Generous windows and an emphasis on natural light form a core part of the architectural approach, supporting both comfort and functionality.

Shared spaces, amenities and services are designed to support a dynamic and professionally managed hospitality environment.

Located in Lisbon’s fast-emerging East Side

Marvila has rapidly transformed from an industrial riverside district into one of Lisbon’s most dynamic and creative neighbourhoods.

Situated between the Beato Innovation District and Parque das Nações, the area now hosts cultural venues, art galleries, start-up spaces and renovated warehouse developments, forming part of a wider East Lisbon innovation corridor.

Marvila is increasingly recognised as one of the capital’s most promising growth areas and benefits from strong connectivity:

• 10 minutes to Lisbon Airport

• 15 minutes to downtown Lisbon

• 30 minutes to the Atlantic coast

• 2.5 hours by road into Spain

The location is further strengthened by its proximity to a concentration of higher-education and training institutions, including the new Universidade Europeia/ IADE campus, Católica School of Business and Economics, Instituto Superior Técnico, ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon, NOVA University campuses, and a growing network of professional academies and specialist training centres.

Part of the Edu Hub Lisbon Campus

Marvila Studios forms part of Edu Hub Lisbon, an education-led campus designed around a “campus as a service” model, bringing together national and international education, learning environments and innovation spaces.

At its centre is United Lisbon International School, the first European partner school of Dukes Education with its own accommodation for boarding.

Future phases will include a Global Learning Hub connecting higher education, professional training and innovation programmes.

Within this ecosystem, Marvila Studios will serve as a hospitality hub supporting visiting students, programme participants, professionals and short-term residents engaging with the campus.

A buy-to-let opportunity in Hospitality Real Estate

Marvila Studios offers a buy-to-let investment opportunity for 326 of the 374 studios, with prices starting from €130,000, providing an accessible entry point into a high-quality Martinhal Group hotel real estate investment.

The investment structure includes:

• 10-year guaranteed rental returns via long-term leaseback

• Fully furnished, turnkey units

• Management fees, service charges and utility costs are paid/ waived by the operator during the leaseback

This structure offers a hassle-free investment, backed by Martinhal’s proven track record in property development and hospitality and branded residential developments across Portugal.

Marvila Studios will have high-quality amenities and shared spaces on site including a co-working and study space, fitness and sports facilities, café and bar, shared laundry rooms, storage, 24-hour reception and security – all professionally managed by the Martinhal group.

Chitra Stern, CEO & Co-Founder of Edu Hub Lisbon and Martinhal, says:“Over the years, our projects have focused on how cities evolve and how people increasingly combine travel, learning and professional mobility.

“From our family-focused resort in Sagres to restoring historic buildings in Lisbon and developing an international school and branded residences in Parque das Nações, we have been successful in identifying emerging locations.

“Marvila Studios reflects our innovative approach to real estate over the years, combining hospitality, education and international mobility within a neighbourhood entering its next phase of growth.”

Sara Allen, Head of Real Estate Sales, Martinhal, adds:“Buyers are increasingly looking for investment opportunities supported by a strong operational model. Marvila Studios offers a relatively accessible opportunity to participate in the next phase of the Martinhal Group’s and East Lisbon’s growth, supported by multiple demand streams, guaranteed leaseback returns and the reassurance of Martinhal’s strong operational experience across Portugal.”

A 25-year development track record in Portugal

Over the past 25 years, the Sterns have built a reputation in Portugal for identifying emerging trends in hospitality, lifestyle and urban development.

The group’s portfolio spans family-focused resort communities in the Algarve, branded residences and education-led developments including United Lisbon International School and Martinhal Oriente / Martinhal Residences in Parque das Nações.

Marvila Studios forms part of the Sterns’ long-term strategy for the group, combining hospitality, education and investment within one of Lisbon’s fastest-evolving districts.

www.marvilastudios.com | [email protected]

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