After expanding to the Netherlands, Dils continues its internationalisation process, positioning itself as an independent and innovative player at the European level.

Dils enters the Portuguese market with the acquisition of Castelhana, an independent, market-leading group with 25 years of experience in real estate services, particularly recognised for its focus on the commercialisation of new premium residential developments.

Founded in 1999, Castelhana has built over the years one of the largest and most solid real estate portfolios in Portugal, managing more than 600 rehabilitation and new construction projects, totalling a value of more than 2.3 billion euros in the last 10 years. A reference player in the mediation of new developments in Lisbon that has been involved in the most emblematic projects in Portugal, in collaboration with more than 200 real estate developers. Castelhana has more than 80 professionals in Portugal, with offices in Lisbon, Porto, and Algarve.

Dils has a significant investment plan for the Portuguese market that aims to accelerate growth and bring innovation to the residential sector, while also expanding into commercial real estate services (offices, retail, logistics, hospitality, etc.), with a strategy hiring process focused on attracting the best professionals in the country.

The agreement with Castelhana allows Dils to export to Portugal its unique business model developed in the Italian market, based on strong know-how oriented towards innovation and the ability to anticipate market trends in diverse classes of real estate assets, thanks to the use of advanced digital technologies and highly experienced professionals. To achieve this, Dils will rely on its internal Transformation Team, which currently has more than 60 professionals specialised in technology, marketing and digital marketing, graphic design, 3D images, and research.

"We are very proud to welcome Castelhana's exceptional team to our European Group, with many talented professionals who have led the company to very successful achievements, becoming the market leader in the commercialisation of new residential developments in Portugal," says Giuseppe Amitrano, CEO from Dils. “This new chapter represents another important step for Dils, in the international expansion program we launched last year. Our objective when entering new geographies is to provide excellent services to all our clients, combining local expertise with our know-how, skills, and technologies. We will continue to expand our presence in other countries and become the new independent, intelligent and alternative player in the European real estate market.”

Patrícia Clímaco, a shareholder of Castelhana, stated: “This transaction comes at the right time and will allow Castelhana to expand into new business areas where Dils has skills and extraordinary know-how. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the developers who have trusted us repeatedly over the years to commercialise their projects. Together we define trends in the residential sector, and we rehabilitate city centres, expanding them, and bringing them life and pride. To so many friends, partners, and customers who have been fundamental to Castelhana's success, a special thank you. To my “Dream Team”, of more than 80 Castilian employees, for your commitment, continuous dedication, loyalty, and excellent work done every day, I can only say that “you are the best!”

Last but not least, it is a tribute to my father, the founder of Castelhana. Only with your vision, resilience, and inspiration was this dream and this journey possible. This is the sector to which I have dedicated 20 years of my life, which I am passionate about, and in which I want to remain involved. In the future, my focus and commitment will be on ensuring a smooth transition. I am sure that Castelhana, together with Dils, will continue to be a vibrant player, and a market leader and provide high-quality services to all our partners, investors, and customers”.

The Portuguese real estate market presents interesting opportunities for growth within Europe. According to the Dils Research team, since 2019 there have been an average of 160 thousand residential transactions annually, with a turnover of around 30 billion euros per year. The residential market properties in Lisbon and Porto are among the most dynamic in Europe, experiencing one of the best growth trends in terms of values.

Portugal is also a market with great potential for the main commercial asset classes. With close to 3 billion euros in annual investment volume in recent years, it is generating growing interest from institutional investors. The importance of the hotel sector is particularly relevant, as it benefits from the country's high tourism potential.

After entering the Netherlands in February 2023 with Van Gool Elburg, the Portuguese market represents another important milestone in Dils' internationalisation process, which will continue as planned with Spain, Germany, France, Poland, and the United Kingdom.

Dils

Dils is a leading international real estate group with offices in Italy, the Netherlands, and Portugal, driving the transformation and renewal of the entire sector through innovation and digitalisation. With a team of 300 professionals and offices in Milan, Rome, Amsterdam, Lisbon, and Porto, Dils is the reference for national and multinational companies, investors, financial operators, and individuals in the research and development of the best real estate opportunities in the office sector, retail, logistics, hotel and residential.

The group has its internal Transformation Team specialised in technology, IT, marketing and digital marketing, graphic design, 3D images, and research, with the aim of maximising the company's capabilities for change.

With more than 50 years of history in the Italian market with Redilco and Sigest, the company changed its name in 2021 to Dils.

Following the acquisitions of Van Gool Elburg in the Netherlands in 2023 and Castelhana in Portugal in 2024, Dils continues its European expansion to export its vision and its distinct business model also to Spain, France, Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom.

Dils expresses its commitment to innovation also through a new business model based on social responsibility with a multi-annual retribution program that aims to value and promote local communities.