For some time now, the upscale neighborhoods of Teresopolis have attracted the attention of those looking for houses and apartments with complete leisure areas and closeness to nature. The municipality, which is located in the Serra Fluminense region, began to receive large real estate projects around 2015, a time when its neighbor Rio de Janeiro was beginning to show signs of saturation. According to IBGE data, the population of Teresopolis grew the most, among the three with the highest HDI in Serra Fluminense (Petropolis and Nova Friburgo): the jump was 1.1% per year between 2010 and 2021, reaching 184,240 people. In addition, the city has a total of 71,324 residences, an increase of 2.6% per year over the same period. In 2000, that number was less than 50,000.

According to the Abrainc-Fipe Indicator, a balance made with 18 companies affiliated to Abrainc (Brazilian Association of Real Estate Developers), in partnership with Fipe (Foundation Institute of Economic Researches), the launches of MAP (Medium and High Standards) projects had wide expansion and grew 339.8%, with the arrival of 23,713 properties in the Brazilian market between December 2021 and February 2022. The growth reached 278.1% with 70,154 new units, in 12 months.

For Gabriel Mauad, partner at Mauad Construction Company, the increase in the sector added to the growing rates of mountain towns, such as Teresopolis, is due to two main factors: the first is related to the changes in life imposed by the pandemic. “We have noticed an increasing demand for more spacious apartments, with options for leisure and common social areas”, says Gabriel, adding: “Serra Fluminense is a natural vector of growth for the high-income population. The city has absorbed this demand due to the high prices of the capital, added to the problems of insecurity and infrastructure”.

About 8 years ago, his company launched its first development in the region in the Alto neighborhood. “The landscape and proximity to the city’s attractions make the region a very interesting investment point. Another demand that is here to stay is that of home-office spaces, either inside the house itself or in the condominium structure”, he commented. The expansion of the real estate market was also motivated by the low interest rate – at least until the middle of last year. “With a low interest rate, the money does not yield anything in the bank and people start buying a bigger, more spacious house”. Mauad felt this positive effect on his pocket: despite the pandemic, the company achieved its best result in 2021.

Its latest release, Reserva do Alto (Upper Reserve) has units ranging from 40m² to penthouses measuring up to 195m². Adding a total of 5 blocks with 236 units, it has apartments and penthouses with one, two and three bedrooms, with suite, spa on the balcony and parking place. The development in the Alto of Teresopolis neighborhood has an average price of R$ 7,500 per m², is under construction, with delivery scheduled for the end of 2024 and is already 85% sold. “The future resident of Reserva do Alto will live in one of the most traditional neighborhoods of Teresopolis, in an area fully attended by necessary services of daily life and at the same time surrounded by native forest. There are more than 160,000m² of green while the project occupies less than 5% of the land. It is a privileged location, for those who want to live close to nature without losing the convenience of being 5 minutes from the city”, emphasizes Gabriel.