Vacation Homes in Rio
By Jewellord Singh, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO – Rio’s bid for to host the World Cup in 2014 and Olympics in 2016 has set the real estate industry into a boom. With prime locations Leblon, Ipanema and Copacabana experiencing continued transformation, foreigners and Brazilians alike are buying, often as vacation rental properties. Vacation rental [...]
Real Estate Guide: Salvador
By Alexandra Alden, Contributing Reporter SALVADOR – Salvador, otherwise known as the ‘Capital de Alegria’ (Happiness Capital) for its rocking street parties and infamous carnival, was the first capital of Brazil and now presides over the state of Bahia. It is most famous as the home of graceful martial arts dance capoeira, its distinctive colonial [...]
Rio Under Constant Renovation
By Mira Olson, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO – As the yoga class comes to an end, Coaracy Nunes, Blyss Yoga studio owner and instructor, guides his students into savasana: “face up, eyes closed, body completely relaxed.” He tells them to turn their attention solely to their breath. The space, the music, and the group [...]
Praia da Pipa: Vacation Real Estate
By Alexandra Alden, Contributing Reporter RIO GRANDE DO NORTE – For those seeking an enclave of tranquility and shockingly beautiful scenery, Praia da Pipa has long been a favored destination. However upon arrival in Pipa visitors often find it hard to tear away. Luckily there are plenty of real estate options to provide the addicted [...]
Botafogo: Royal Past, Bright Future
By Jaylan Boyle, Senior Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO – Beneath the palm-fringed beach stereotype that most visitors to Rio have, there is a bustling city that functions like any other major metropolis, and suburbs like Botafogo do more than their glamorous neighbors to reflect this reality. This doesn’t mean you should expect a cookie-cutter [...]
Real Estate Mogul Sam Zell in Brazil
By Sarah de Sainte Croix, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO – International property guru and U.S. billionaire investor Sam Zell announced in June last year that Brazil is “the number one country for investments” worldwide. At the time he was looking for partners to develop the activities of his Equity International real estate investment company [...]
Commuting Life in Rio
By Martin Kocandrle, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO – The trends of population growth and increased urbanization has put serious pressures on the housing market of Rio de Janeiro. Much of the urban growth of of the city has spread outwards into surrounding areas, while businesses have remained centrally located. The result is cheaper housing [...]
Risky Hillside Favela Construction
By Martin Kocandrle, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO – The tragic floods that occurred in Rio de Janeiro during the week of April 4th did more then remind residents of their vulnerability to nature, it also pointed out weaknesses in Rio’s urban infrastructure, in particular those of the favela communities. The loss of life that [...]
Copacabana: Beachside Paradise
By Martin Kocandrle, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO – Guarded by the Morro de Leme (Mountain of Leme) to the north and surrounded by tropical hills, three favelas and the ocean, the variety of Copacabana’s surroundings have made it a legendary part of Rio’s urban makeup. It is a thriving commercial and residential neighborhood located [...]
Coral Helps Dutch Artists Paint Favela
By Doug Gray, Senior Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO – Brazil’s Tintas Coral, continues to increase their charitable works with new support for Haas&Hahn, otherwise known as Jeroen Koolhaas and Dre Urhahn, two Dutchmen who have brought art to the favelas of Rio de Janeiro in a bold statement of intent for the much-marginalized communities. [...]