The former Siroco Hotel in Olhão

The former 'Siroco' Hotel in Olhão is currently a collection of buildings consisting of three (residential) blocks of multi-family homes. Inspired by examples of the 'Modern Movement'. In principle designed (the first two blocks) and built as 'Hotel Siroco' with an urban and architectural appearance in a peripheral location.

The blocks were designed as large residential structures with a capacity (84 rental units per block), based on the repetition of minimal residential cells (T1 with 'kitchenette') accessible via a long interior galleries and a central vertical access core.

The Siroco Hotel in the Bairro de Pescadores was built by two brothers from Brazil who had big plans. The plan was that you couldgo by boat to the island of Armona from the hotel. It had collective facilities (in disrepair) such as the garden with swimming pool, the communal areas and the terraces with shop/restaurant.Everything for the hotel guests.

The Siroco was top of the bill for that time. But then came the Carnation Revolution and the brothers were affraid that the Communists, who were very well organized, would take over the power in Olhão. Then they fled to Brazil. The hotel later served as a shelter for the Portuguese (Retornados) who had to leave the african colonies after indpendence. At that time there were quite some problems in the buildings, with drugs and prostitution.

The clip "Adorinhas" by Ana Moura is recorded in Bairro de Pescadores and on the roof of the former hotel between a special Moors-looking chimneys , so that everything looks like a fairy tale from 'One Thousand and One Nights'

This point of interest is part of the tour: ArchiTourAlgarve - Architecture Walking Tour Olhão: Monuments, Modernism & More.