Quiksilver International wins competition for ideas for the Narciso Building

After a healthy competition between two giants of international surfing, Billabong and Quiksilver, for the rehabilitation of the former Narciso on Carcavelos beach, the winning project presented by Quiksilver International was chosen today.

The two projects were presented publicly and after an assessment of the grid proposed by the CRCQL Assessment Committee, the decision fell on the project by Quiksilver Internacional that provides an investment of €4M and involves a local accommodation unit, a shop, a skate park, among other services, resulting in the creation of over 40 jobs.

After choosing the winner of the competition, the Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente (Portuguese Environmental Agency) (APA), the current owner of the building, must now take a final position on the use/management of the building in view of the project presented, as well as in relation to the architectural proposal.
It should be noted that after long years of neglect, the "Narciso" building was totally derelict, causing severe hygiene and public safety problems.
Given the scenario of high degradation, constituting a danger to public health and to the environment, the Câmara Municipal de Cascais (Municipal Council of Cascais) decided, as it has done with other buildings, to reclassify a portion of the “Narciso” building.

With the partial redevelopment of the building carried out in 2013, the most representative National players linked to Surfing, such as the Associação Nacional de Surfistas (National Surfers’ Association), the Federação Portuguesa de Surf (Portuguese Surf Federation) or even the Associação Nacional de BodyBoard (National BodyBoard Association) could set up here.

Surfing is an important sector of the so called "blue economy", which is an integral and essential part of the economic strategy of the municipality, with public and relevant results. An example is the holding of events such as the World Surfing Championships and the Prime Surfing Event or own victories won by athletes from the municipality, such as Vasco Ribeiro, recently crowned World Junior Surfing Champion, after being the National and European Champion.

To complete the redevelopment of the building, it was important to attract capital to boost the local economy to generate wealth and jobs. Therefore, the Câmara de Cascais (Cascais Council ) challenged the Centro Recreativo e Cultural Quinta dos Lombos (Recreation and Cultural Centre of Quinta dos Lombos) (CRCQL), the largest and most representative Surfing Club in Carcavelos which, in turn, put the challenge for an ideas competition to two international players in Surfing.

The urgency in the implementation of the Quiksilver Internacional Project is of the utmost importance to the Municipality of Cascais, and also to the Country, with regards to:
- Redevelopment of a vacant building with serious problems for public health
- Foreign investment to the value of over €4M
- Creation of 40 jobs
- Direct and indirect investment in Surfing
- International Recognition for Cascais and for the Country.

The Câmara Municipal de Cascais (Municipal Council of Cascais) thanks the two brands for the commitment and dedication of the proposals presented to the competition, and also CRCQL for the professionalism and exemption with which it led the entire process.
The Council will await the necessary and long awaited decisions from the Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente (Portuguese Environment Agency).