But in Europe’s elite resorts, the desire to build ever-larger homes is a familiar impulse. After all, if you have the means and the space, why not go big? Few things proclaim success quite like a sprawling, immaculate mansion.
Across the continent, architects are using these XXL villas as blank canvases for bold experiments. In Spain’s Sotogrande polo enclave, for example, ARK Architects has designed private estates of up to 27,000 square feet — entirely energy-independent and harmoniously integrated into their landscapes.
Back in Portugal, the 12,500-square-foot Nine Pines villa, located in the exclusive Quinta do Lago resort on the Algarve coast, is no exception. This coastal haven has been a magnet for high-net-worth individuals since the 1980s, a reputation reinforced when Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna bought a vacation home there in the early ’90s. Today, the resort attracts a loyal British and Irish contingent — and a growing number of Americans — many of whom now call it home year-round.
Architecture and Atmosphere
Entering Nine Pines through its statement gate and triple-height glass walls — a signature of architect Jaime Coutinho, beloved by Quinta’s elite — you immediately sense its warmth.
“Many villas can look impressive yet feel impersonal,” says Francisco Garcia of Forbes Global Properties Portugal. “This one feels like a real home, not just an architectural showcase.”
The interiors are tactile and textured, with handcrafted art pieces adding depth and character. A standout is a massive wall piece made from recycled yarn by Vanessa Barragão, an Albufeira-based textile artist known for her sustainable designs.
Built as a Family Home
Owner Mick Culhane, an Irish entrepreneur, originally envisioned Nine Pines as a family retreat. “Quinta is a special place — the beaches, the restaurants, the lifestyle, the safety, the cleanliness,” he says. “It’s one of the best places in the world to rest your head.”
But as the project took shape, Culhane’s business instincts kicked in. “People told me it would make sense to sell — it turned out beautifully. We’ve already bought another property to renovate in Quinta do Lago. I’ll probably do one project a year.”
Unlike many newly-built villas that can feel sterile, Nine Pines exudes life. Its flow between indoor and outdoor spaces, combined with sightlines that frame the lush landscape, makes it warm and cohesive.
Design Collaboration
Culhane credits a team of top-tier collaborators. Architect Jaime Coutinho shaped the design, while landscape architects Murphy + Sheanon from Dublin transformed the one-acre lot into what Culhane proudly calls “the best private garden in Quinta.”
The landscaping blends serenity and scale — with a resort-style pool area and lush greenery enclosing the property in privacy. “Whether or not we have the best villa in Quinta is debatable,” Culhane laughs, “but the best garden? Undeniable.”
Inside the Villa
Every element was chosen to merge form and function. Floor-to-ceiling windows dissolve boundaries between the interior and the outdoors. The villa features Portuguese craftsmanship — furniture by Paulo Antunes, marble by Mercado da Pedra — and a refined design language by Fern Anderson Interiors, a boutique London studio that won an International Design & Architecture Award 2025 for this project.
“We wanted the home to feel joyful — full of curves, bronze textures, and marble,” says co-founder Charlotte Anderson. “It’s a large house, but it feels warm and inviting.”
Her favorite feature? A triple-height bookcase in the formal reception room, “linking the spaces and telling Portugal’s story through art and material.”
Throughout the home, custom lighting inspired by the sea brings softness and movement to the architecture.
Cohesive Flow and Everyday Luxury
“Everything works together,” Garcia observes. “The architecture, interiors, and gardens all speak the same language. And the atmosphere shifts with the light — bright and open by day, intimate by night.”
Culhane agrees. “We use every part of the house — nothing goes to waste. The pool bar is a favorite spot, the kitchen is the heart, and the rooftop is pure magic.”
Ah yes, the rooftop — home to Alfie’s Bar, their private lounge with outdoor sofas, a TV zone, and sweeping views over the pines. It’s the perfect place to watch the sunset with a cocktail in hand.
“Some houses here are all bling and no soul,” Culhane smiles, “but this one flows. It’s alive. We threw a 100-person birthday party here — we could have fit 400 — and everyone said the same thing: ‘It feels like home.’”
And somehow, it really does.
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