By Quintino Gomes Freire – Diário do Rio

The city of Rio de Janeiro welcomed, this Wednesday (6), some of the leading investors in the Brazilian real estate market. The Rio Real Estate Capital Summit – Rio de Janeiro Real Estate Investment and Development Forum, organized by the Real Estate Business Leaders Association (Ademi-RJ), took place at the Fairmont Hotel, in Copacabana, and brought together investment funds such as Brookfield, BTG Pactual, Caixa and Vinci.

The event discussed new opportunities for Rio’s real estate sector, at a time when the city government is seeking to attract private capital for urban redevelopment projects, hotel expansion, and new residential and corporate developments.

Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere stated that the city is experiencing a new cycle of economic growth. He highlighted the increase in traffic at Tom Jobim International Airport, Galeão, which went from 8 million to 18 million passengers between 2023 and 2025. During the same period, cargo volume rose from 60 thousand to 110 thousand tons. “This is only the beginning of Rio’s economic development curve,” he said.

Among the audience, around 20% of participants had come from São Paulo to better understand the opportunities in Rio’s market.

Praça Onze Maravilha aims to transform the Sambadrome surroundings

One of the highlighted projects was Praça Onze Maravilha, approved in its first vote at Rio’s City Council this Tuesday (5). The proposal includes transforming the area surrounding the Sambadrome with private funding and the demolition of a viaduct in the region.

The Municipal Secretary of Economic Development, Innovation and Simplification, Osmar Lima, estimated that the project should require between R$ 1.7 billion and R$ 1.8 billion. “We are going to demolish a viaduct and transform the entire Sambadrome surroundings with 100% private funding,” he stated.

The secretary also defended the legal security of the city’s contracts as a way to attract investors. “We have had PPPs since the 1990s, our contracts are solid and will be honored,” he added.

For Ademi-RJ president Leonardo Mesquita, Praça Onze Maravilha could replicate the effect of Reviver Centro and stimulate investments in other areas. He also compared the future Library of Knowledge to the Museum of Tomorrow, one of the country’s most visited cultural attractions. “We targeted Downtown and unlocked developments in the South Zone thanks to the linked operation,” he recalled. “Now, Praça Onze Maravilha will encourage investments in Tijuca and the North Zone,” he added.

Reviver Centro and PPPs remain on the radar

Reviver Centro was also mentioned as an example of urban policy that brought the public and private sectors closer together. Leonardo Mesquita recalled that the legislation предусматриes adjustments to the program every two years, opening room for further adaptations. “Today, Rio offers an environment that encourages dialogue. The private sector finds space to present its demands and challenges to the public sector,” he said.

According to Osmar Lima, private participation will also be important in the future Parks PPP, which is currently being structured by Rio City Hall. The City Council is also reviewing the list of 320 public properties that the municipal government has offered for sale.

The sector’s perception is that these assets may open new investment opportunities, especially in areas with potential for densification, urban recovery, and mixed-use projects.

Hospitality emerges as a bet for the coming years

In addition to residential and corporate projects, the hospitality sector was discussed as one of the areas with the greatest expansion potential in Rio de Janeiro. Invest.Rio president Sidney Levy defended the construction of new hotels across different categories to keep pace with tourism growth. “Today, the average hotel occupancy rate throughout the year reaches 78%,” he said.

Brookfield, which already invests in multifamily developments in the city, is also looking at Rio’s hospitality sector. The company’s president, Hilton Rejman, confirmed the interest. “Brookfield, which already invests in multifamily developments in the city, is studying Rio’s hospitality market,” he stated.

The growth of international tourism was also part of the discussion. Raphael Zanola, from RJDI and Monza, said there is still room for products aimed at investors and visitors. “Rio still faces a shortage of studios within the boutique hotel concept,” he pointed out.

According to him, the number of international tourists in the city grew by 52% last year.

Developers present new projects

The event also brought together case studies from developers already operating in different parts of the city. Renato Leite, from Performance, announced that the company will launch a new development in Flamengo. SIG, led by Robert Grimberg, is launching Artí Leblon. Piimo Empreendimentos Imobiliários, led by Marcos Saceanu, will build Somos Lapa, in one of the neighborhoods most sought after by tourists.

RJDI and Monza, led by Jomar Monnerat and Raphael Zanola, are betting on the Soul Rio collection. The idea is to meet growing demand for compact, well-located units aimed both at housing and investment.

João Paulo Matos, from Calçada, also defended the studio apartment market. He explained that Costa Niemeyer, a building in São Conrado with 131 units ranging from 31 to 63 square meters, had more than 95% of its units purchased by investors. “We sold everything in just two hours. Around 50% of buyers were from Rio, 30% from São Paulo, and 20% were foreigners,” he said.

Caixa’s Vice President of Investment Funds, Sérgio Bini, highlighted the Porto Maravilha urban consortium operation, which covers an area ten times larger than Puerto Madero in Buenos Aires. He also mentioned the expansion of benefits to São Cristóvão.

BTG Pactual partner Alexandre Câmara stated that the current moment favors new investments. “The current investment landscape in Rio is attractive,” he observed.