At 51, Sachdev is channeling a long-standing entrepreneurial outlook into a property venture in Santa Bárbara de Nexe, a town in Portugal’s Algarve region. Known for its sunny climate comparable to California’s, the area has recently drawn increased international attention, including a seasonal direct flight launched last spring by United Airlines connecting New York to Faro airport, located just 15 minutes from Sachdev’s property.
Sachdev, whose career spans two decades of real estate investment in London’s Hackney neighborhood, views his current project as an extension of his previous work. Alongside a business partner who also lives on the property, he has engaged local Portuguese architects, builders, and interior designers, emphasizing the region’s openness to foreign investment and the availability of local talent. The pair’s approach focuses on careful risk management and an entrepreneurial mindset developed over years in London’s evolving property market.
Portugal’s reputation as a welcoming destination for wealthy investors has strengthened in recent years, underpinned by the government’s golden visa program initiated in 2012. Since then, over 12,700 residency permits tied to investment have been issued, excluding family members. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated interest further as many reconsidered their lifestyle preferences. Demand for housing, especially in the Algarve, has pushed prices sharply higher, with average asking prices rising from approximately €2,367 per square meter in late 2020 to over €4,000 this year, according to real estate data platform Idealista.
Despite the risks inherent in property development, Sachdev said the main concern was the possibility of a market downturn during construction. However, the project also has a personal dimension, inspired by a client’s advice to create a home that his children would want to visit as they grew older. Sachdev indicated plans to be “very exclusive” about property sales.
Real estate experts, including Knight Frank partner Jack Harris, note that supply in Portugal’s property market has lagged behind demand since the post-financial crisis period. Harris highlighted that while the Algarve remains a popular destination for both national and international buyers, Santa Bárbara de Nexe, being more peripheral, carries potential for appreciation, especially for standalone detached villas.
Unlike some neighboring towns known for celebrity and high-profile residents—such as retired footballer Luís Figo’s nearby hilltop residence—Santa Bárbara retains a more authentic local character. Sachdev has expressed a preference for the town’s modest charm over more polished developments, valuing local establishments and year-round activity, including winter visits.
The town center, a short walk from Sachdev’s property, features restaurants dating back over a century, alongside essential services such as a mechanic and a veterinary clinic. While Sachdev has attempted to acquire an entire row of businesses in the town, local owners have so far resisted selling.
Sachdev’s background traces back to his Indian parents who emigrated from Kenya to the United Kingdom during the 1970s following the expulsion of South Asians under Idi Amin’s regime. The family settled in London, operating a corner shop while emphasizing education, which Sachdev credits for his later professional achievements. He trained at the City of London School and entered the legal profession, joining the prestigious law firm Freshfields. He recalls feeling out of place in some professional circles, where few shared his background.
Looking ahead, Sachdev has expressed ambitions beyond real estate, including a potential run for mayor of London after retiring from law, with aims to attract wealthy individuals to the city while ensuring economic benefits circulate within the public sector.