en 
The resort, owned by Life Plan Resorts, will involve an investment of over 1 billion and aims to create more than 2,000 jobs, and is located in the Tagus River Nature Reserve, 30 minutes from Lisbon, along a 2.8 km riverfront.
Built on an estate in Benavente, with approximately 509 hectares, Life Plan Resorts will offer an integrated, comprehensive and holistic solution for the 55+ target group.
According to the company: ”It is entirely designed to promote healthy aging based on the fundamental pillars of brain health: friendship, fun, freedom in an active lifestyle community, a wide choice of amenities, financial security, a focus on health and well-being, diet and nutrition with access to ongoing quality healthcare.
“The focus and strategic planning of the entire resort is based on recent insights and research, published by recognized scientific sources”.
Independent living
Life Plan Resorts will open its doors in phases from 2025 and will include 1,400 accommodations, divided between studios, apartments, villas and semi-detached houses, to promote an independent life for its residents.
The resort aims to promote community life, as well as the active lifestyle of its residents, with several outdoor spaces and more than 100 daily activities. It will have a hotel to accommodate the families of senior residents, seven restaurants, a cultural and learning centre, cinemas, a fitness area and indoor swimming pool, a diverse shopping area, organic gardens, a market, a hairdressing and manicure salon, post office, bank, travel agency, hotel and pet spa.
Additionally, it will also include a wide range of integrated healthcare services, on-site medical offices, personalised concierge medicine, telemetry, home care, rehabilitation, assisted living and 260 long-term care beds.
Two golf courses will complete the resort: a main 18-hole course and a 9-hole executive course, both complemented by a clubhouse, a golf academy, a sports-style restaurant with a bowling alley and an illuminated driving range.
The construction of the resort is the result of investment in Portugal by Shevel Family Office LLC in San Diego, led by Dr. Jack Shevel, a medical entrepreneur who worked in the health sector on three continents (America, Africa and Europe), and with personalities from international relevance such as Nelson Mandela, Tony Blair and The Gates Foundation.
Jack was the founder and CEO of www.netcare.co.za and is currently President Emeritus of www.carerx.ca, which provides multi-dose packages to 94,000 residents in 1,500 senior housing communities in Canada.
“The space aims to provide the best years of life for residents, through a holistic and medical approach to active aging. The objective is to provide, in one place, the antidote to accelerated aging. We want this resort to be a celebration of life, with friendships, fun, multiple choices and access to quality healthcare.” explains Jack Shevel, Founder and Chairman of Life Plan Resorts.
“Florida of Europe”
Jack Shevel saw the potential in Portugal to become the "Florida of Europe" for retirees. The climate, quality of life, safety, low cost of living and gastronomy and a good healthcare system, combined with the fact that more than 500,000 foreigners from all over the world reside in the country, were determining factors in the decision to invest in Portugal.
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Portugal has the potential to become the play ground of Europe, because it's safe, has good quality of life, good weather, and it's also a bridge for flights by airplane, between the Americas, Africa, and Europe.
By Tony from Other on 21 Feb 2024, 15:23
Great concept. There should be a facility (covered if possible) with 6 or 8 pickleball courts.
By Joe L. from USA on 21 Feb 2024, 15:31
In 1990 I wrote to over 50 members of Parliament and told them the richest state in America was florida, and portugal should do the same with the algarve and build retirement homes so all the rich folks from all over Europe can bring their life savings to retire here, in florida when Walt Disney saw that grandchildren were coming 5 or 6 times a year to keep in their grandparents goodbooks he built his first Disney park. I only got 2 replies saying it would be too difficult with the algarve landscape, when I wrote back stating that florida was mainly swamps with snakes alligators etc and they managed. Totally ignored and today they have just woken up after 34yrs.
By Karl blore from Algarve on 21 Feb 2024, 16:57
Bye bye nature preserve...
By William from Other on 21 Feb 2024, 17:25
Why would anywhere aspire to be like Florida. Famously full of right-wing, white , natonalist, rich and horrible retiree's. Please no! Stay away.
By Bob Silva from Algarve on 21 Feb 2024, 17:30
This plan sounds horrible. Do we really need to transplant Florida to Portugal? Nao, obrigada.
By Debra Custer from Lisbon on 21 Feb 2024, 19:24
I applaud all of your efforts in building your Country for tourism development.
I personally would discourage efforts to make Portugal another Florida.
Portugal is already a gem and does not need to emulate other Countries. It already has unique qualities. Just continue to build on it. To achieve your objectives. As a Canadian I believe you will succeed without duplicating other Countries . I love what you already have.
By Hugh Devin from Other on 21 Feb 2024, 20:59
While this is a good concept, we have seen what america has become in the eyes of great visionaries and investors, an overpriced and unlivable dump. Let's up Portugal keeps its strong European grounding. You forgot to say that Florida is unaffordable and a playground for the rich. It's a corrupt mess of massive proportions.
By David from Lisbon on 22 Feb 2024, 02:17
Well it seems that everyone around where is forgetting the biggest problem of Algarve water and without water nothing .
By Isabel Oliveira from Lisbon on 22 Feb 2024, 09:23
Water droughts...golf courses, seriously?
Also, Florida is trumpland, who wants that?
And low cost? Yeah coffee maybe but the rest is going up in ridiculous speed and projects like that are the exact reason, why there won't be any low cost at all at some point, once prices are en par with Florida.
By Felix from Lisbon on 22 Feb 2024, 10:25
"This plan sounds horrible. Do we really need to transplant Florida to Portugal? Nao, obrigada."
Yes building facilities for elderly to retie in comfort is a horrible idea.
Florida has successfully used the income from theme parks like Disney to offset state income taxes.
Why do you think so many professional athletes live in Florida?
BTW Florida is 51% white.
I have some bad news for you, the majority of immigrants in Florida came in legally, they have no sympathy for illegal immigration.
Prior to moving here I lived in New York and Miami.
I visit Miami every time I go back to the states.
I would not take a free ticket to NY.
By jk from Algarve on 22 Feb 2024, 11:49
I say Portugal should go for it. As the history of Portugal has shown, Portugal is a great country and leader.
By Lisa from Other on 22 Feb 2024, 12:25
To comment about Water and Algarve. This project is not in the Algarve! And I don't think there is a water problem over by the Tagus where it is located. About it aspiring to be Florida! I sincerely hope not....I do however think the plan, targeting rich Europeans and Americans sounds like it might be a very large community...with some sort of subscription model with very high monthly costs and strange ownership model. Apparently one invests a lump sum then your heirs get that back WITHOUT interest upon your death. And the residents pay a hefty monthly usage for life....duration of their lives. starts with something called a Lifr Right Entrance Fee priced from 400 k to 1200 K Euro depending on size of unit. This fee is not called a purchase price...so I am confused! All sounds iffy....but maybe I got it wrong. Or was served up confusing sales arguments!
By Donya from Lisbon on 22 Feb 2024, 13:38
Good grief, Florida is a leader in twisted thinking... it would be a good fit if Portugal wants to promote revisionist history and see half-a-dozen other core values you now hold decimated. If you want to destroy your beautiful country and culture, the fastest way is to allow American corporations to sell "wares" such as this place that, in the end, will serve their investors best and first at your long term expense. They're targeting Portugal simply because it is perceived as a "hot spot" at the moment. This high-end palace compound will have to cater to the wealthiest amongst you in the name of those profits for investors, many of whom probably won't even live in your country. Given it's description, this compound can only cater to the wealthy if those 2,000 jobs are going to be decent living wage jobs. American coporations are not known for promoting and supporting true living wages. More "communities" such as this, to afford to exist, will only serve to accelerate the extreme class divides that America experiences today and are creating growing unrest. Unfettered capitalism is not healthy for the majority, keep a tight reign on these intrusions. A good hard look at America's many core problems and corporate greed is at the core of almost all- especially healthcare and aging. Sell the "glitter" in these articles if you must, but keep the ultimate motives and their long term impact on your country well in focus. The last thing you want to devolve into is Florida.
By Cheri from USA on 22 Feb 2024, 13:47
I could not agree more with all the comments. We don’t need to emulate anything about USA here! BE PORTUGAL. BE EUROPE.
By L from Other on 22 Feb 2024, 14:05
God help you!....Please don't let Portugal become the European Florida. I live in Florida...and I will destroy everything good about Portugal!
By Donn Rance from USA on 22 Feb 2024, 23:32
So we add being a cheap package tourist destination that brings drunk yobs into our neighbourhoods all summer long ,to being a death waiting room.
Sounds great eh?
By James from Algarve on 23 Feb 2024, 08:47
I thought that Portugal was "the California of Europe"! Florida is even worse. Please stop comparing Portugal to the United States.
By Marty Calon from Porto on 23 Feb 2024, 10:08