Criterion Portugal invites you to connect with us.
Criterion Portugal is redefining standards in the Portuguese housing market
Criterion Portugal was founded in 2020 with an ambitious goal: to build homes for life, for today’s families and for future generations.
Criterion Portugal was founded in 2020 with an ambitious goal: to build homes for life, for today’s families and for future generations.
As part of Criterion Capital - a family-run business with a proud multi-generational legacy, founded by a Portuguese resident - we blend decades of expertise with a hands-on, locally led approach to deliver exceptional residential and aparthotel projects.
With a philosophy centred on improving the quality of life of communities and their residents, our developments offer a new perspective on residential projects.
Sustainability, in its broadest sense, is the cornerstone of our initiatives and a standard we expect from all our partners.
We aim to be part of the future of Portuguese families by delivering long-term value and high-quality homes at balanced prices.
The Company
Criterion Portugal is a real estate development company dedicated to the residential and hospitality markets in Portugal. We combine the international experience of Criterion Capital with a deep understanding of the Portuguese market to deliver projects with strategic locations, thoughtful design, and rigorous execution.
In recent years, Criterion Portugal has built or is developing around 2,500 apartments, including the following flagship projects:
Alma Gardens and Alma Hills in Miraflores – under construction and on sale.
Vista Vale in Porto Salvo – under construction and on sale.
Althea in Belas – in the planning stage.
Alma Aparthotel in Miraflores – in the planning stage.
ParQ in Oeiras – in the planning stage.
Quinta da Granja in Benfica – in the planning stage.
With a total investment exceeding €800 million, Criterion Portugal aims to establish itself as a leader in the residential real estate market in Portugal.
We exist with a greater purpose: to design and build modern homes that use space efficiently and set new standards in the market.
We create housing with excellent value for money, accessible to young buyers and families looking to grow.
We achieve this through carefully considered projects and the use of smart technologies and sustainable materials.
Our values
Our investment approach
Our greatest commitment is to sustainability, which enables us to ensure quality both now and in the future.
Our approach is holistic, encompassing everything from design and materials to construction systems, interiors, and surrounding green spaces. We also place strong emphasis on biodiversity, constantly seeking the best possible practices based on current knowledge.
This commitment is reflected in our certifications, particularly the BREEAM system, the world’s leading sustainability assessment method, where several of our projects have achieved a “Very Good” rating.
BREEAM promotes not only the reduction of carbon footprint but also the creation of healthy living environments, ensuring thermal and acoustic comfort, adequate ventilation, and good air quality, all essential for residents’ wellbeing.
We optimise resource use through principles of circularity and reuse, taking care to preserve environmental balance and biodiversity in every location where we build.
Social value
Our responsibility towards communities reflects our vision and philosophy: homes for life, for today’s families and for those of tomorrow.
We do not want to see children grow up without love, without a home, or without a family. That is why we collaborate with Aldeias SOS.
In addition, we seek to establish meaningful partnerships with local communities, contributing to harmonious and sustainable development.
Criterion Portugal is a generous example of business partnership. We deeply appreciate this friendship and support.
Leadership team
Asif Aziz
With a 35-year track record in property wealth creation, he has built a £4 billion property portfolio spanning commercial investments, hotels, residential rentals and residential properties for sale in London and now Portugal.
Darija Aziz
A qualified civil engineer with a Masters Degree in bridge design. After 11 years of working with IGH Engineering, she persued her interior design passion. Darija created the concepts and led interior design teams for Victory House, Assembly and Zedwell Hotels and dstrkt flats.
Tim Bystedt
An experienced architect with experience in managing design teams, he has worked with a number of architects in London and Tokyo. His expertise is in the planning and optimisation of buildings, both in terms of construction and commercial aspects.
Sofia Matos
With over 30 years of experience in real estate, labour, and compliance law, she ensures the projects are followed from the initial stage through to the sale, guaranteeing the legal compliance of our operations.
Saskia Jiggens
Saskia has over a decade of experience in corporate and consumer communications, specialising in thought leadership, social media, public relations, advocacy, events and stakeholder engagement. She previously led communications for the King’s Road and Knightsbridge Partnerships. Saskia also partnered on key community projects with the Berkeley Group and Bellway Homes. She holds a BA (Hons) from The Courtauld Institute of Art, underscoring her deep passion for heritage, placemaking and cultural storytelling.
Samuel Resende
He has extensive experience in the design and execution of large projects in a variety of sectors, including award-winning renovation projects and developments in challenging urban locations. He also has experience in the education sector, particularly in higher education, where he has worked on new construction and refurbishment solutions for restricted locations.
Pedro Crespo
Specialist with over 8 years of experience in the residential market, responsible for identifying new investment opportunities and coordinating market and financial analysis.
Frederico Pereira Nunes
Architect with over 6 years of experience, specializing in residential projects, covering all phases from design to execution and construction. He also has experience in urban planning, developing effective and innovative solutions for urban development. He holds a degree in Architecture from the Universidade Lusíada de Lisboa and furthered his education with a postgraduate degree in Real Estate Management and Evaluation from ISEG Executive Education, consolidating his knowledge in the real estate market
Paula Gonçalves
Experience across various sectors in commercial and communications fields, fluent in three languages, with a degree in Real Estate Consulting from ISEG Executive Education.
In recent years, developed expertise in the real estate sector with a focus on the international market, acquiring in-depth knowledge of the needs of clients from different nationalities.
Committed to delivering excellence in customer service throughout the acquisition and after-sales process, with a strong focus on efficient collaboration between departments, teams, stakeholders, and partners.
Amilcar Séca
With over two decades of experience in the real estate sector and training in Real Estate Management, he has developed and acquired knowledge that allows him to provide an excellent service to his clients. People-centered, he is dedicated to understanding their needs and aspirations, offering personalized support. His approach is guided by competence, professionalism, and agility, ensuring high-quality service to both national and international clients
Caio Manucci
With one year of experience in analyzing the residential market in Portugal, he supports Criterion in assessing trends, studying buyer profiles, and identifying investment opportunities. Currently completing a degree in Economics at ISEG – Lisbon School of Economics & Management, where she is deepening her knowledge in data analysis and market dynamics.
Maria Luiza Esteves
Holds a degree in Economics from ISEG – Lisbon School of Economics & Management, where she consolidated and developed her analytical and financial assessment skills. She has experience in the real estate sector, with a focus on market analysis and the identification of investment opportunities. At Criterion, she is responsible for the financial monitoring and control of projects, ensuring contractual compliance and overseeing budgets and cash flows, as well as preparing financial reports.
Partnerships
We choose our partners from among the best to ensure not only quality but also the continuity of our projects.
