Jean Monnet 1 Building
General Contractor — Vector Mais
Project (Restrooms and elevator lobbies) — Arch. Margarida Moura Simão
Project (reception) — Openbook Studio
Size — 8.770 m²
Location — Lisboa
The Jean Monnet 1 Building, designed by architect Pedro Cid, is one of Lisbon’s most emblematic 20th-century office buildings, housing the headquarters of the European Parliament and the European Commission. Following its majority acquisition by Sonagi, the building has recently undergone an extensive refurbishment, rigorously managed by Vector Mais.
The intervention covered the common areas, vacant floors, and window frames, which were completely replaced.
In the common areas — reception, elevator lobbies, and restrooms — high-quality materials and detailing now stand out, including fluted marble walls, two-tone stone flooring, darkened oak joinery, and carefully applied ceramic finishes in the bathrooms.
The vacant floors were fully refurbished through a Category A fit-out, incorporating new electrical and mechanical infrastructure, the renewal of walls and ceilings, and the installation of raised access flooring.
The result is a building elevated to a new level of comfort and functionality, reinforcing its prestige as a real estate asset with BREEAM Very Good certification.
“I believe that strong partnerships are founded on trust, professionalism, and alignment of values and objectives. In the context of this project, the collaboration between Sonagi and Vector Mais went beyond the traditional Owner–Contractor relationship, forming a true and lasting partnership.”
João Lúcio
Asset Manager | Sonagi
What does this intervention mean for Sonagi?
This project was key to restoring the Jean Monnet 1 Building to the prestige it deserves, while also providing our tenants with the comfort, functionality, and sustainability standards they expect. Undertaking a major refurbishment in a fully operational, iconic office building presented a unique challenge: ensuring the work could be carried out without disrupting daily operations. We are proud to say this challenge was successfully met.
How would you assess Vector Mais’s performance throughout the project?
The Vector Mais team demonstrated consistent commitment and professionalism, successfully navigating the main challenges and obstacles encountered during the execution of the project. The quality of work was consistently high, and the team’s ability to deliver under complex conditions was instrumental to the overall success of the intervention.
Susana Mendes
Project Manager | Vector Mais
“Throughout the process, all challenges were successfully addressed through close, rigorous collaboration between Vector Mais and the client, delivering results that reflect the building’s prominence and exacting standards.”
What was the scope of this intervention?
The work at the Jean Monnet 1 Building began with a full-scale demolition, bringing the property to Category A condition and ready for future occupancy. The project focused on a deep refurbishment that both respects and enhances the building’s iconic character, incorporating completely renewed infrastructure, premium-quality materials, and technical solutions aligned with its architectural identity.
