Associação Avenida announces the appointment of its new President, Eric van Leuven, Executive Partner at Cushman & Wakefield, succeeding Pedro Mendes Leal (Hotéis Valverde).
The Associação Avenida is the entity that represents and promotes Avenida da Liberdade, Lisbon’s main luxury thoroughfare, bringing together more than 150 members from the retail, hospitality, restaurant, culture, and services sectors. Since its creation in 2011, its mission has been to enhance the avenue, strengthening its attractiveness to both national and international audiences and establishing 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 relations and business development.
The new Board is composed of leading professionals from different sectors, ensuring a multidisciplinary and strategic approach:
- Pedro Mendes Leal (Hotéis Valverde)
- 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 upgrading 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 the various public bodies involved in the area, including Lisbon City Council and the Santo António Parish Council, continuing to enhance its value for those who live, work, and invest here, while also strengthening its international projection.”
Cushman & Wakefield has had its office located on Avenida da Liberdade since 1991, adopting a model based on proximity to its clients and potential investors.
