M-ODU, a conversion of the former Campanhã Slaughterhouse, which is due to open next year, will have most of its office space occupied by companies linked to Mota-Engil, the construction company that was awarded the contract for the work and operation of the complex, which is also the developer of the project. According to JN, of the nine buildings intended for companies, only one remains unoccupied, with the rest ready to accommodate around 700 workers. Given this dynamic, the office areas for rent have been withdrawn from the market.
With around 26,000 square metres, M-ODU is like a small city within the city, combining offices, restaurants, cultural and leisure spaces, co-working areas and conference rooms. The project also includes a police station.
In addition to the nine office buildings, it has a strong cultural component, with 8,000 square metres dedicated to galleries and public facilities, and a range of restaurants spread across different spaces, including 600 square metres for the main restaurant, complemented by a cafeteria and a kiosk. It also includes a wellness area with studios and treatment spaces, positioning itself as a project open to the community.
Designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, in partnership with Porto-based studio OODA, the project focuses on sustainability, with the rehabilitation and reuse of existing structures, local materials and solutions for energy efficiency, air quality and emissions reduction. The project aims to achieve LEED Gold environmental certification.
"This intervention represents not only a technical milestone, but above all a cultural one for the regeneration of the eastern part of Porto, projecting M-ODU as a benchmark for innovation, culture and community spirit. We are currently witnessing a very symbolic moment, the installation of the roof, the protagonist of the project that represents Emerge's bold spirit and vision for this place," says Sílvia Mota, Chairwoman of Emerge.
Among the planned urban connections, the pedestrian bridge that crosses the complex from end to end and connects the VCI to the Dragão Metro station stands out, reinforcing the integration of the facility into the eastern network of the city.
The Portuguese construction company will invest around €40 million in the municipal facility located in Campanhã. It should be remembered that the project faced several setbacks: in February 2019, the Court of Auditors refused to give prior approval to the contract, a decision that caused the first delay in the schedule. This was followed by the constraints caused by the pandemic, which further delayed the conversion of the former Industrial Slaughterhouse – work that would only finally start in 2021.
