Following its 3rd anniversary, celebrated in April, Lock’s CEO Pedro Toscano spoke to Vida Imobiliária to share the journey of this Portuguese company which, in just three years, has established itself as “a benchmark in the architecture and construction market.”
Lock entered the national market in 2015, providing office and retail interior design and construction services which, as Pedro Toscano explains, are “our core business and a market where we now have a strong presence.” Following the evolution of the real estate market, the company expanded and diversified, moving beyond offices and retail into restaurants, gyms, and more recently, residential projects and urban rehabilitation. “Given the strong demand driven by both investors and end users, we realized it was the right time to also invest in the residential market,” says Toscano. The result is clear: “today we are a company that covers all areas of our sector in architecture and construction.”
Soon, Lock also aims to enter the hospitality market. “The numbers speak for themselves,” says Pedro Toscano. “There are many hotels in the pipeline and few being built from scratch, and we want to be present in this rehabilitation market, for which we feel fully prepared: we have the interior know-how, the ability to coordinate the architectural project with the specialty projects, and we are highly aware of our clients’ timelines, always seeking to open as quickly as possible so they can start generating returns on their investment.”
Clients from around the world
Today, clients from all over the world trust Lock with the projects for their facilities. In the office segment, the company has delivered several projects for major occupiers in Portugal, including the new headquarters of BNP Paribas. It is also responsible for the entire network of Crédito Agrícola Seguros spaces in Portugal, as well as offices for the Ascendum group and McKinsey, among others. Currently, the company is involved in the redevelopment of number 213 on Rua Castilho, in Lisbon, an office building undergoing rehabilitation.
In retail, highlights include projects such as the Yakuza restaurant (Olivier Group), Dr. Wine, Eggcellence at CascaiShopping, Restaurante 31 da Armada in Lisbon, and several MAC stores (Estée Lauder Group).
In the private residential segment, Pedro Toscano notes that “we are receiving many invitations and executing numerous projects for foreign clients, particularly French and Brazilian clients looking for companies capable of delivering turnkey solutions—meaning they want to delegate the entire process of concept, design, and construction to a single entity.”
The importance of a differentiated service
Pedro Toscano firmly believes that “there is room in the market for companies that invest in differentiated services across all stages of the value chain.”
In Lock’s case, one of the strategic priorities is its partnership with external architects with proven experience in the market, positioning the company as “a construction company supported by architects with specialized know-how in each of the different areas in which we operate. Their services add even greater value to our work, contributing to client satisfaction,” summarizes Pedro Toscano.
He emphasizes that “working in interior architecture is highly demanding, as we operate under very tight deadlines and must deliver projects with excellent finishes. Ultimately, these projects are the most visible representation of our work and our business card.
Although the works are carried out quickly, they must be executed to a very high standard — something that is only possible when we work with excellent teams. That is why we believe each project must have its own dedicated team, made up of a multidisciplinary group of highly specialized professionals in that specific segment, whether it is hospitality, residential, retail or offices.
Arguing that “specialization is the way forward,” Lock also focuses on educating clients about the importance of investing in high-quality architectural and construction projects and hiring specialized services. “We want to inform clients about what can and should be done to ensure everything runs smoothly, moving away from the idea that one can do a bit of everything. A well-informed client makes the entire design and execution process easier, and the more transparent the communication, the higher the client satisfaction,” Toscano explains.
100% Portuguese DNA
With 100% Portuguese capital and a team of 15 people, Lock was founded on the initiative of Pedro Toscano, with experience in real estate, Miguel Moreno, from the banking and insurance sector, and architect Cristina Conduto. “The company’s mission and values are shared by everyone, reflecting passion and dedication in every project we undertake, always based on principles of transparency, rigor, and professionalism with all stakeholders.”
Looking ahead, the path is one of continued growth, supported by a very positive market context. “This is evident in the number of projects we currently have in our portfolio and pipeline,” says Pedro Toscano, anticipating increased demand for office spaces, as well as continued strong momentum in residential, fitness, and hospitality sectors. “As long as the market remains dynamic, there will naturally be continued growth,” he concludes.
With 100% Portuguese capital, Lock was founded in 2015 by Pedro Toscano, Miguel Moreno and Cristina Conduto, and today has a team of 15 people.
