English Factory in Silves reopens Cork Museum and boutique hotel

The former Fábrica do Inglês in Silves, Algarve, a cultural and entertainments complex closed in 2010, is to be given a fit out and face lift to become the revamped Cork Museum (Museu da Cortiça) and a new boutique hotel.

The complex was acquired by the real estate developers Antrix and Carvoeiro Branco which intend to do up the historic buildings, reopen the Cork Museum and create a 50-room boutique hotel in an investment of €25 million.

Work should start in 2026 with a completion date slated for late 2027 or 2028 and will involve the refurbishment and restoration of the 19th century complex, including the old chalet which also will be done up and continue to operate as tea rooms.

In a statement to news agency Lusa, Erik de Vlieger, founder of Carvoeira Branco said that the starting point will be the reopening of the museum, distinguished in 2001 as the best industrial museum in Europe -, a year in which it welcomed over 100,000 visitors -, it being estimated to reopen in time for next summer.

“The opportunity to almost heroically restore life to such an emblematic space – which ended up being abandoned after a last misguided investment – represents not only a challenge, but also a duty of patrimonial responsibility,” said the founder.

Inside one of the rehabilitated historic buildings, the future offices of Antrix and Carvoeiro Branco, which are based in the Algarve, are also planned to be installed in a project that foresees the creation of about 80 new jobs.

Without advancing the amount spent on the acquisition, Erik de Vlieger stressed that the derelict and deteriorating state in which the Fábrica do Inglês was found contrasted with its immense value in architectural, cultural and historical heritage.

The English Factory was built in 1894 as a cork product manufactory. In 1908 the British citizen Victor Sadler was hired to manage the factory, his name and influence being forever associated with the factory which from then on and ever after was known as the English Factory (Fábrica do Inglês).

After its industrial life ceased, the complex was refurbished and in 1999 was reopened as the Cork Museum.

In the years that followed it also hosted concerts, exhibitions, and cultural events, reinforcing its role as a dynamic cultural centre.