Land and residential development in Bahia, Brazil.

Emerging Land Holdings is a UK based property company with an experienced team in Brazil. Drawing on more than 30 years of international property experience, we identify and develop well located land, assist clients looking to establish a home, holiday property or long term investment in Brazil, and collaborate with selected partners on larger development opportunities.

See available land See our developments

Why Brazil, why Bahia?

A major city and a property market already showing momentum

Salvador, the capital of Bahia, is one of Brazil's largest cities, at the centre of a metropolitan area of more than 3 million people in a state of over 14 million.

Bahia's property market is already showing significant momentum. According to the Índice FipeZAP, residential asking prices in Salvador rose by 16.25% in 2025, the highest increase among the state capitals covered by the index, following growth of 16.38% in 2024. By May 2026, prices were still 12.52% higher than twelve months earlier.

It is also a market we know well. The people behind Emerging Land Holdings have been buying, holding and developing land in Bahia since 2007.

Aerial view of Salvador, seen from its closest point to Ilha de Itaparica
Salvador, seen from its closest point to Ilha de Itaparica
3M+People in the Salvador metropolitan area
14M+People in the state of Bahia
16.25%Rise in Salvador residential asking prices in 2025 (Índice FipeZAP)

Sources: Índice FipeZAP residential sales reports for December 2025 and May 2026 (asking prices for ready apartments in Salvador). Past price movements are not a reliable guide to future performance.

Who we are

Established in Brazil

Emerging Land Holdings Limited is a UK property company with a long standing connection to Brazil, particularly Bahia and the island of Itaparica.

Our British founder and CEO first visited Itaparica in 2007, immediately recognised the long term potential of the region, and acquired his first property in Brazil shortly afterwards.

We are now expanding the operation in anticipation of the transformation the new bridge between Salvador and Itaparica will bring to the island, and for the first time we are opening selected land opportunities to buyers and investors in the UK.

We know the island

We are not new to the market. We know Itaparica well, and have been active in the Bahia land market since 2007.

A proven track record

We have already bought, land banked and sold land in Bahia, and built single homes and apartments.

Based on the island

Our operations office is in Vera Cruz, on Ilha de Itaparica, and our team lives here full time.

Portuguese speaking

We work directly with landowners, the Town Hall and local professionals in their own language.

A full Bahia based team

Our professional team is from Bahia: engineers, architects, lawyers and sales teams on the island and in Salvador, among them an OAB registered lawyer and licensed CRECI agents.

Clean structure

A purpose built company with no legacy debt. Every purchase is properly contracted and registered in Brazil.

Why Itaparica, and why now?

An island twelve kilometres from a major city, finally being connected

Ilha de Itaparica is an island in the Bay of All Saints, directly across the water from Salvador. Reaching it today means a ferry of up to two hours, with queues of three to four hours at peak times, or a four hour drive around the bay. Even so, in the summer months the island runs at full capacity, with huge demand for beds.

Itaparica remains considerably less expensive in many locations. Despite its proximity to Salvador, comparable opportunities on the island can still trade at a substantial discount to the mainland market, largely because access has been so limited. In our experience, land on the island typically trades at around R$600 to R$1,200 per m².

Values on the island are also moving. In February 2025, local property professionals interviewed by the Bahia newspaper Correio reported increases of up to 20% in some areas and property types, citing anticipation of the bridge alongside tourism and rising construction costs.

A major new connection is now being built between the two markets. The bridge between Salvador and Itaparica is an approximately R$12 billion (US$2.3 billion) infrastructure project, delivered through a partnership between the Government of Bahia and a Chinese led concessionaire. Named by President Lula as a national priority, construction officially began on 1 July 2026 at a ceremony in Vera Cruz, with completion targeted for 2031.

This is why we have positioned our land and development projects on the island ahead of the bridge's completion. We believe the combination of the existing price differential and substantially improved connectivity creates an interesting long term property and development opportunity, and that better access has the potential to narrow part of that gap over time.

Salvador's skyline seen across the bay from the hills of Itaparica
Salvador seen from Itaparica, around 1 hour by passenger ferry.
The Itaparica coastline, Bahia.
12.4 kmRoad bridge linking the island to Salvador
Under 15 minCrossing time, replacing a 2 hour ferry or 4 hour drive
July 2026Construction began, with completion targeted for 2031

Sources: Correio, 12 February 2025; the official Salvador to Itaparica bridge project; the Presidency of Brazil, 1 July 2026; and Global Times, April 2026. The bridge does not guarantee future price growth.

What we offer

Three areas of activity

Our business is built around our own developments, direct land sales and selected development partnerships.

Our developments

Projects we are developing ourselves, led by Residencial Itaparica, our 24 home flagship, alongside proposed future developments.

See our developments

Direct land sales

Individual plots that buyers can purchase directly, to build a home or to hold as a land bank ahead of the bridge.

See available land

Development partnerships

Selected larger projects where we may work with appropriate investment or development partners.

About partnerships

Available land

Plots available to buy directly

All land offered through Emerging Land Holdings is secured and registered in Brazil under the name of Emerging Land Holdings and/or its directors, with the relevant ownership and property documentation in place.

Emerging Land Holdings acts as the sales and commercial vehicle for these properties, providing buyers with a clear and properly documented purchase process.

Available now

7 plots available now

Six prime plots of 200 m² each have been released and are available to buy individually. One additional plot of 1,200 m² is also available.

Each is ready for buyers who want to build their own home on the island, or to hold as a land bank while the bridge is built.

Aerial plot plan showing Lotes 12 to 18 available now on Ilha de Itaparica
Plot layout, Lotes 12 to 18

Plot Status

  • Plot 11 – Owned by the Town Hall Architect
  • Plot 12 – 1,200 m²
  • Plots 13–18 – Available for purchase as of 3 October 2026
R$100,000 to R$550,000Approx. £13,200 to £73,100 at the exchange rate on 25 September 2026Approx. US$19,200 to US$105,600 at the exchange rate on 2 October 2026

Being released in early 2027

26 residential plots

We are now clearing and subdividing 8,000 m² of land to provide 26 hillside residential plots of 200 to 300 m², with sea views across open countryside to the sea. The plots will be released in early 2027.

20% Early Bird discountFor the first 10 plots reserved. Early Bird reservations open in the second half of October 2026.

Local planning rules permit building on up to 50% of each plot, over two or three storeys, to a maximum height of 14 metres.

Full foreign ownership is permitted, and each plot has its own individual registered title (matrícula), with ownership registered in the buyer's name in Brazil.

Early Bird prices with a 20% discountBeing released soon · Register your interest

Your Purchase Journey

From choosing your plot to registering ownership in your name, we will guide you through every stage of the journey.

This process applies to both the 7 plots available now and the 26 residential plots being released in early 2027.

  1. 1

    Choose Your Plot

    Select the plot that best suits your requirements.

  2. 2

    Reserve Your Plot

    A 10% reservation payment is required within 7 days to secure your chosen plot.

  3. 3

    Buyer Verification

    Buyers will be asked to provide:

    • Proof of identity
    • Proof of residential address
    • KYC information
    • Source of funds information
    • Anti-Money Laundering documentation and declarations
  4. 4

    Purchase Documentation

    Once the reservation and compliance requirements are complete, the purchase documentation will be prepared and the terms for payment of the remaining balance confirmed in accordance with the purchase agreement.

  5. 5

    Ownership

    We guide the buyer through the process through to registration of ownership.

International payments accepted

Purchases may be completed in British Pounds, US Dollars or Euros, calculated at the equivalent value of the agreed Brazilian Real (BRL) price at the time of payment. Payments are made directly to Emerging Land Holdings.

Our developments

Residencial Itaparica: 24 homes in a planned, gated community

Our flagship project in Mar Grande, Itaparica. The 7,314 m² site is already secured. Enabling works are taking place in 2026, with construction of the homes starting in 2027.

Render of a pair of villas at Residencial Itaparica, daytime Render of a pair of villas at Residencial Itaparica, evening
Computer generated visuals of the homesDrone footage of the site as it is today

This is not a speculative position. The land is secured, classified as urban development land, and located within the future growth corridor between Salvador and Itaparica.

We have established planning alignment with the local Town Hall on the development parameters, including:

  • A maximum building height of 14 metres
  • Development covering approximately 50% of the site
  • A phased approach to construction

The scheme balances homes with landscaping, internal roads, a pool and social and leisure areas, all within a secure gated environment.

At a glance

Homes24
Site7,314 m², secured
Building footprintApprox. 3,600 m²
Maximum height14 metres
Land statusUrban development land
PlanningTown Hall alignment established
2026Enabling works
2027Construction begins
Residencial Itaparica masterplan, aerial site layout
Masterplan and site layout
Pool and leisure area at Residencial Itaparica Brochure available on request

The full Residencial Itaparica brochure

Development overview, masterplan visuals, floorplans, amenities and the investment context, in one document.

The brochure is sent directly to interested buyers and investors. Request your copy by email or WhatsApp and we will send it to you.

Request the brochure Ask on WhatsApp

Proposed future development

Computer generated front view of the Executive Studios concept

Proposed 32 studio development

The Executive Studios

A proposed 32 studio mixed use development designed around the future commuter market between Itaparica and Salvador. The concept combines compact residential studios with ground floor commercial space and forms part of our wider development pipeline.

Site selection, design, funding and partnership structures are currently under review. Further project information may be made available to appropriate parties.

This information is provided for general information only and does not constitute an offer or invitation to invest.

Progress and timeline

Work already done, and what comes next

Significant enabling works already completed

Substantial work has already been undertaken on the development, with significant progress made during the current year.

Working in coordination with the local Town Hall and the relevant environmental authorities, we have carried out extensive enabling works, including heavy machinery land clearing and site preparation, drainage works, and preparation for electricity and water connections.

The land has also progressed through the subdivision and allocation process, with individual plots allocated and new property registration (matrícula) numbers issued.

Considerable physical, infrastructure and administrative work is therefore already complete, providing a clear foundation for the next stage of construction and investment.

Our plans, set against the bridge

  1. Construction of the Salvador to Itaparica bridge begins.

  2. Significant enabling works completed: land clearing, drainage, utility preparation and plot subdivision, with new matrícula numbers issued.

  3. Construction of the 24 villas begins. Release of around 25 new residential plots.

  4. Target completion of the bridge, bringing Salvador within 15 minutes.

Development partnerships and services

Selected projects with the right partners

Alongside our own developments and direct land sales, we work with a small number of investment and development partners on selected larger projects, positioned ahead of the bridge.

Direct beachfront, Bahia

11,000 m² Beachfront Development Opportunity

An exceptional beachfront site in Bahia, with approximately 50 to 60 metres of frontage onto a white sandy beach. Acquired and registered by us in 2021, the property forms part of our long term land portfolio.

We are ideally seeking a single development partner able to commit a minimum of £1 million to develop the site alongside us. Potential concepts include a boutique resort, beach club or villa development, subject to planning and relevant approvals.

Minimum partner commitment: £1 millionFurther information and proposed terms available to qualifying parties on request.

Information for qualified investors

Our structures are designed to combine income with a share in the growth of the underlying land. Full details of the investment structure and target returns are provided to qualified investors on request, following verification.

Request investor information

Investment opportunities are available only to investors who qualify as certified high net worth or self-certified sophisticated investors under UK rules, following verification.

Capital is at risk and you may not get back the full amount invested. Property and land values can go down as well as up, and forecasts are not a reliable indicator of future results. Nothing on this website is financial, legal or tax advice.

How we can help

Beyond our own projects, we offer professional services to landowners and buyers on Itaparica and across Brazil.

Land marketing and consultancy

For owners of larger holdings, from positioning and presentation through to sale.

Property search and acquisition

For buyers looking for land or property on the island or elsewhere in Brazil.

Trusted introductions

To established legal and professional firms, including lawyers and residency and visa specialists.

Property transactions are handled in partnership with licensed local professionals.

Contact

Speak to us

Operations, Brazil

Reserva da Mangueira
Estrada da Rodagem, 300, Lot. Paraguaçu
Vera Cruz, BA, 44470-000, Brazil

Tel: +55 71 99417-1734

View on Google Maps

UK registered office

167–169 Great Portland Street
London W1W 5PF
United Kingdom

Tel: 020 3996 9605

Email and WhatsApp

info@emerginglandholdings.com

WhatsApp: +44 7933 805396

Send an enquiry Message us on WhatsApp