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Two Giant Projects in Praia Grande: Vilamar Shopping in the Mirim Neighborhood and the Tourist Pier in Aviação Total Hundreds of Shops, 600 Spaces, and Thousands of Jobs in Tourism and Commerce
Praia Grande has launched giant projects at two strategic points in the city: Vilamar Shopping in the Mirim neighborhood, covering 160,000 m² with over 300 shops, and a new tourist pier in Aviação, measuring 500 meters long, 35 meters wide, featuring an aviation museum and 600 parking spaces.
In a few years, these giant projects are expected to create new landmarks, strengthen tourism, generate thousands of jobs, and reposition the city on the map of Baixada Santista. On one side, a large shopping center in front of the Municipal Office; on the other, a thematic pier dedicated to leisure, culture, and the history of aviation, extending out to sea and enhancing the entertainment options for residents and tourists.
Vilamar Shopping: The New Commercial Anchor of the Mirim Neighborhood
The first highlight among the giant projects is Vilamar Shopping in the Mirim neighborhood. The area of the development totals approximately 160,000 m² of land, in a strategic location between Avenida Presidente Kennedy, Rua Álvaro dos Santos, and Rua Primeiro de Janeiro, across from the Municipal Office.
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Engineer explains drainage during the rainy season: the difference between surface water and deep water, ditches, gutters, and water outlets on the road, as well as drains and drainage mattresses, to prevent erosion, aquaplaning, and flooding at the construction site today.
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With 55 floors, 177 meters in height, a 15-meter walkway between the twin towers, ventilated facade, and 6,300 m² of leisure space, Ápice Towers already has one tower completed and another nearly at the top.
The schedule anticipates that the new shopping center will have more than 300 stores and be completed by 2027, creating a new hub for shopping, services, and leisure in the area.
Construction began on July 25, 2025, and according to tracking images, it is already progressing rapidly, with earthworks and site preparation underway.
Jobs, Spaces, and Urban Impact in the Surrounding Area
In addition to the commercial structure, the project includes hundreds of parking spaces distributed throughout the development area to accommodate the expected increase in vehicle traffic with the opening of the shopping center.
Another important aspect of these giant projects is the potential for job creation. The presented estimate is for around one thousand jobs during the construction phase and approximately four thousand after the inauguration, accounting for direct and indirect jobs related to stores, services, and daily operations of Vilamar Shopping.
The surroundings are also undergoing transformation. Nearby, Parque Mirim is already being developed, and there are plans for a second phase of urbanization linking Avenida Presidente Kennedy to Expressa Sul.
This is likely to create a more structured urban corridor, integrating park, shopping center, and new services within the same development axis.
Aviação Pier: A New Landmark and Tourist Corridor
The second front of giant projects in Praia Grande is the new pier in the Aviação neighborhood, designed as a major tourist and cultural project.
The pier will measure over 500 meters in length and 35 meters in width, extending from the sandy beach out to sea, focusing on green spaces, contemplation areas, and free access points.
The proposal is for the pier to broaden leisure options for residents and visitors, featuring commercial, tourist, gastronomic, cultural, and entertainment services, as well as hosting parties and events. The idea is to create a new experience for seaside strolls, serving as a meeting point, viewpoint, and center for outdoor activities.
This development is part of the Cultural Project Aviação of the city, which pays tribute to the National Aerial Mail, responsible for using the old airfield runway starting in 1941. Thus, the pier is born with a strong historical component, connecting memory and tourism.
Aviation Museum, Parking, and Job Generation
The new pier will also house an aviation museum, featuring interactive activities and a replica of a French plane that landed in Praia Grande.
The goal is to transform the site into a space for education, culture, and tourism, reinforcing the historical identity of the Aviação neighborhood.
To accommodate the demand for vehicles, the project includes parking for about 600 spaces, located on Rua Gana Inglesa, approximately 80 meters from the pier.
This infrastructure is essential for receiving tour buses, cars from tourists, and local residents, without blocking local traffic.
The construction of the pier will be carried out through a public concession, with the private sector taking over the execution and operation of the space.
The expectation is for about 500 direct jobs and 1,500 indirect jobs during the construction phase, as well as approximately 1,000 direct jobs and around 2,000 additional jobs in the operation phase, encompassing tourism, commerce, gastronomy, events, and support services.
How These Giant Projects Can Change the Future of Praia Grande
Together, these giant projects reposition Praia Grande along two important axes: consumption and tourism. In Mirim, Vilamar Shopping is likely to transform the neighborhood into a new economic hub, increasing traffic, property valuation, and service densification around the Municipal Office.
In Aviação, the pier is set to establish itself as the new postcard of the city, reinforcing the tourism potential of the waterfront, creating a space for community engagement and historical memory, and adding an extra layer of attractiveness for those who already visit the region.
In both cases, the impact on jobs, revenue, and visibility is expected to be significant over the coming years.
If the schedules are maintained and the projects delivered as planned, Praia Grande will have two urban landmarks that can change the perception of the city for both residents and visitors.
It is the combination of giant projects, urban planning, and investment in tourism and services to sustain long-term growth.
What do you think, will these giant projects in Praia Grande benefit the residents of the city, tourists, or the local commerce around these two new enterprises more?
Sonho de qualquer surfista, além de melhorar o fundo atrai peixes que vai atrair pescadores de todos os lugares, fora a atração turística que vai deixar a cidade mais bonita.
E o credlar vacation?
Grande coisa. Deveriam investir em saneamento básico e evacuação da água da chuva. Galerias entupidas e lixo nas ruas.