By 2027, the Mandarin Oriental luxury brand will be part of one of Europe's most ambitious urban development programmes, The Ellinikon, near Paris.Athens. Located in the south of the Greek capital, this new eco-responsible district is currently being developed in the area around the former international airport, which has been closed since 2001. a smart city set in a huge urban park of almost two million square metres. A modern, green city set along a 3.5-kilometre coastline, above which will rise the Riviera Tower, the tallest residential tower in Greece, and indeed in southern Europe.
Designed by star architect Norman Foster, this bioclimatic tower will be 200 metres high and will house 200 luxury private residences. " Le a new landmark of our country" says Odysseas Athanasiou, CEO of Lamda Development, the company behind the €8 billion programme.
" World-class" According to Odysseas Athanasiou, the aim of this project is to reposition Athens as one of the world's leading destinations, capable of attracting a million new visitors while reducing the seasonal nature of tourism. In addition to its residential component, Ellinikon aims to a vast resort with leisure and entertainment areas, museums, a multitude of sports fields, a top-of-the-range shopping centre designed by Kengo Kuma, and a myriad of bars and restaurants along the marina. And, to top it all off, top-of-the-range hotels.
The future Mandarin Oriental Athens will have 123 rooms and suites, as well as 17 private residences, including several villas along the Aegean Sea. When it opens in summer 2027, the Asian luxury group's hotel will also offer a wide choice of bars and restaurants, a spa, as well as indoor and outdoor reception areas for seminars and private events.
Because The Ellinikon will not only be dedicated to leisure tourists, but also to business tourists, and even to business in general. Because this futuristic district also sees itself as a new business park for the Greek capital. Complemented by an education and R&D centre, the project includes two office towers, one of which will also house a business hotel. All 15 minutes from the centre of Athens, but set between the sea and the great outdoors.
