Europe’s largest construction project takes shape
Greece's Ellinikon megaproject is setting new standards in urban development. With smart buildings, a huge coastal park and a network of cycle paths instead of motorways.
The ambitious Ellinikon project is being built on the disused Hellinikon airport site south of Athens. Here, Greece is building a new city from the ground up that will serve as a model for sustainable and digitally networked urban development. In just a few years, this area is set to become a living space for over 10,000 people, a place of work for up to 80,000 employees and a destination for millions of tourists. The aim is to create a city that meets the ecological, technological and social requirements of the 21st century.
From ghost airport to beacon of hope
The site of the former Hellenikon International Airport, once the gateway to the world, was unused and dilapidated for decades. The debt crisis got the project moving. in 2014, Lamda Development was awarded the contract to lease and develop the site for 915 million euros over 99 years. The planning was in the hands of renowned architectural firms, including Foster Partners from London. The excavators have been rolling since 2020 and everything should be ready by 2036.
A city of short distances
Ellinikon is designed as a so-called “15-minute city”. Everything you need to live – school, doctor’s surgery, grocery store, sports field or café – should be within 15 minutes on foot or by bike. The planners want to significantly reduce motorized private transport. Local public transport, micromobility with e-scooters, bike sharing and a modern network of footpaths and cycle paths will replace the traditional car.
Europe’s largest coastal park
In the middle of the new urban area, a park is being created that will set new standards. 2.6 million square meters of green space, more than London’s Hyde Park. Ellinikon Park offers space for walks, sport, cultural events and nature observation. Around 80 % of the water used comes from natural sources already present on the site.
Reusing instead of wasting
Before the high-rise buildings could rise into the sky, the first step was to dig deep. More than 300 reinforced concrete pillars with a depth of up to 55 meters support the foundations of the new Riviera Tower landmark. The concrete from the former runways will be recycled on site and reused for roads and slope stabilization. A central goal of the project is net-zero emissions. Buildings are certified according to the LEED standard.
The tallest residential building in Greece
207 meters high, 53 floors, 169 apartments, the Riviera Tower will be the tallest building in the country. In addition to the Riviera Tower, another high-rise is being built, the Vouliagmenis Mixed Use Tower with a height of 150 meters. It offers office space, a hotel for business travelers and direct access to two subway stations.
Smart City Ellinikon
Ellinikon sees itself as a smart city. Data, sensors, networking and digital services play a central role. Intelligent street lighting, sensors for air quality and noise, apps for navigation, booking and payment as well as 5G and fiber optic networks for high connectivity are just a few examples. Intelligent power grids, energy-efficient architecture and microclimate analyses are intended to optimize energy consumption.
Social commitment and tourism
Ellinikon should not only be chic, but also social. The first completed building, a center for people with disabilities, was handed over in 2023. Further public facilities are being planned, such as kindergartens, schools, a clinic, cultural centers and sports facilities. Two large shopping centers, the Vouliagmenis Mall and the Riviera Galleria, are expected to attract an international audience. Even more spectacular, however, is the casino complex, which is being realized together with Hard Rock International.
Economic boost for Greece
The project is expected to contribute 2.4% to Greece’s gross domestic product in the long term. 70,000 to 80,000 direct and indirect new jobs are planned and tourism is expected to grow by over one million additional guests per year. The expected tax revenue amounts to 14 billion euros over the duration of the project.
What happens next
The first major construction phase should be completed by 2026/2027. Central infrastructure facilities such as transport routes, the first residential buildings, green spaces and educational facilities should then be in place. Full completion will follow by 2036. Ellinikon will not only be a new district of Athens, but a showcase for what urban development can look like in the future.