This couple bought a rundown farmhouse in Portugal. Here’s what happened next

Big project: Alan Andrew, originally from Pennsylvania, and his Belgian husband Vincent Proost relocated to Portugal after purchasing an abandoned farmhouse in the region of Alentejo.

Vincent Proost

<strong>Huge move: </strong>The couple, who have been married since 2011, were originally looking for a holiday home, but changed their minds after came across the crumbling farmhouse located in the rural village of Figueira e Barros.

Huge move: The couple, who have been married since 2011, were originally looking for a holiday home, but changed their minds after came across the crumbling farmhouse located in the rural village of Figueira e Barros.

Vincent Proost

<strong>Massive undertaking: </strong>"It suddenly became a project," says Proost. "And I was like, 'Okay, let's move.' And then we did. We built the house from scratch just before the pandemic, which was quite an adventure."

Massive undertaking: "It suddenly became a project," says Proost. "And I was like, 'Okay, let's move.' And then we did. We built the house from scratch just before the pandemic, which was quite an adventure."

Vincent Proost

<strong>Beyond repair: </strong>They purchased the property in the summer of 2019. The original farmhouse was demolished soon after.

Beyond repair: They purchased the property in the summer of 2019. The original farmhouse was demolished soon after.

Vincent Proost

<strong>Slow process:</strong> "The build was supposed to last a year," says Proost, pictured with Andrew, left, and one of their dogs. "We just finished, which is almost three years. So it was a bit longer than originally planned."

Slow process: "The build was supposed to last a year," says Proost, pictured with Andrew, left, and one of their dogs. "We just finished, which is almost three years. So it was a bit longer than originally planned."

Vincent Proost

<strong>Final finish:</strong> The couple's new home, named Casa Baio, has its own pool, five bedrooms, along with a barn turned pool house.

Final finish: The couple's new home, named Casa Baio, has its own pool, five bedrooms, along with a barn turned pool house.

Duarte Bivar

<strong>Expansive land: </strong>Their land encompasses 175 acres and includes around 1,500 olive trees.<br />

Expansive land: Their land encompasses 175 acres and includes around 1,500 olive trees.

Duarte Bivar

<strong>Modern farmhouse:</strong> "It's very well insulated," says Andrew. "In the old traditional houses, the windows are tiny because of the weather and now because of technology, we're able to put in bigger windows."<br />

Modern farmhouse: "It's very well insulated," says Andrew. "In the old traditional houses, the windows are tiny because of the weather and now because of technology, we're able to put in bigger windows."

Duarte Bivar

<strong>Traditional elements: </strong>They tried to incorporate local materials, including handmade terracotta tiles, along with floor tiles made from local marble, into the structure.

Traditional elements: They tried to incorporate local materials, including handmade terracotta tiles, along with floor tiles made from local marble, into the structure.

Duarte Bivar

<strong>Rural location: </strong>Their new home has spectacular views over Portugal's Alentejo region.

Rural location: Their new home has spectacular views over Portugal's Alentejo region.

Duarte Bivar