Avenida Association is the organization that represents and promotes Avenida da Liberdade, Lisbon’s premier luxury boulevard, bringing together more than 150 members from the retail, hospitality, restaurant, culture, and services sectors. Since its establishment in 2011, its mission has been to enhance the avenue’s value, strengthening its appeal to both national and international audiences and positioning it as one of Europe’s leading destinations for shopping, culture, and leisure.

Eric van Leuven, a Dutch national, has lived in Portugal since 1982 and is a leading figure in the real estate sector. He founded George Knight Estate Agents in 1987 and, following the acquisition of its commercial real estate division by Cushman & Wakefield in 1991, became the company’s Managing Director in Portugal, a role he held for 35 years. In 2026, he assumed the position of Executive Partner, maintaining his focus on client relationships and business development.

The new Board is composed of leading professionals from different sectors, ensuring a multidisciplinary and strategic approach:

Pedro Mendes Leal (Valverde Hotéis)
Pedro Castro (Rosa & Teixeira)
Ronald Brodheim (Brodheim)
Rita Silvério Marques (Plateia Colossal)
Nazaré Carvalho (Generali Tranquilidade)
João Borges (I.A.D. – International Advanced Dentistry)

Eric van Leuven emphasizes that this appointment represents “the continuation of a collective vision: to establish Avenida da Liberdade as a benchmark, both within and beyond Portugal, and to promote the enhancement of its public space. More than an urban axis, the avenue is a unique place shaped by people, brands, and culture. My commitment is to work together with all members, as well as with the various public entities involved in the area, including the Câmara Municipal de Lisboa and the Parish of  Santo António, continuing to add value for those who live, work, and invest here, while further strengthening its international profile.”

Cushman & Wakefield has maintained its office on Avenida da Liberdade since 1991, adopting a close-proximity approach with its clients and prospective investors.