Athens’ former international airport is being transformed into a world class, green “Smart City” overlooking the Aegean Sea.
The Ellinikon is the most significant privately-financed investment in Greek history and is expected to contribute approximately 2.5 per cent to Greece’s total GDP. Equally important, The Ellinikon stands as an example of what is achievable when large-scale integrated developments successfully blend modern technology with the most advanced sustainability practises. Construction is now underway across more than 40 active sites, involving about 3,000 workers and 18 contractors.
The Ellinikon is spearheaded by LAMDA Development, part of the private, family-owned Greek business conglomerate Latsis Group. Latsis’ extensive portfolio includes shopping centre developments as well commercial, residential and entertainment projects.
From a commercial standpoint, The Ellinikon is offering office space for businesses of all size, in both a series of low rise buildings and in the country’s tallest commercial tower. LAMBDA describes the Ellinikon Business District as, “a professional haven…a state-of-the-art smart district that pioneers the future of home, work and entertainment.”
The Ellinikon’s Smart City ambitions were reinforced by the announcement last August of a binding offer from global financial technology company ION Group to acquire land for the development of a Global R&D and Innovation Campus. This is part of the estimated US$1.76 billion of investments made from 100 countries. The Global R&D and Innovation Campus will be the base for 2,000 professionals from 44 countries.
“This landmark partnership marks the launch of the Ellinikon Business District, the final component of the project’s masterplan, and firmly positions the Ellinikon as a European hub for AI and digitalization,” LAMDA said.
The focus on technology was further enhanced with the announcement the University of Nicosia will open their first university campus in Greece.
“The UNIC Athens will be an emblematic integrated university campus operating within the Ellinikon, with 75,000 m2 of buildable space reserved to create a campus for academics, research and student residences enabled by AI, robotics and wellness technologies.”
Smart infrastructure is fundamental to all aspects of the Ellinikon. Smart sensors, advanced AI algorithms, underground networks as well as widespread 5G, public WiFi and ultra-high-speed fibre-optic internet connections, span the entire development.
“Smart Ellinikon aims to provide a digitally assisted everyday life to its residents and employees,” LAMDA says, “delivering citizen-centric solutions, rather than those that are technology-driven, to ensure that technology is value-adding rather than intrusive.”
The homes being developed have found appeal across the international community. Over 90 per cent of available residences have been sold or reserved by prospective buyers from over 100 countries. The first phases will open in 2027.
Much attention has been focussed on the 50-storey Riviera Tower, which will, upon completion, become the tallest residential skyscraper in Greece. Other high-end residential developments include Skyline Havens. These eight mid-rise buildings offer 150 dual-frontage residences that feature indoor-outdoor living with panoramic views of the Aegean Sea. Many have private in-ground pools plus resident-only amenities such as a fitness area, kids’ playground, reception and concierge services.
Another is the park side neighbourhood called Little Athens, described as a “verdant city-within-a-city” featuring over 1,100 residences and over 100 street level retail shops. This includes Park Rise, designed by internationally renowned designers Bjarke Ingels Group. In terms of high-end shopping, the Ellinikon Mall, designed by the award-winning architectural practice Aedas, will become the largest and most advanced retail destination in Greece, and one of the most significant in southern Europe.
Construction is also underway on the 287,000 m2 Ellinikon Sports Park, the largest coastal park in Europe. When it opens in mid-2026, the public will enjoy football, tennis and basketball courts, a track-and-field arena and other wellness infrastructure, all built to international standards.
Included in the park will be a 14,600 m2 lake on what was the site of the 2004 Olympic canoe-kayak events, surrounded by a 900-metre perimeter path, two pedestrian bridges and tree-lined walkways that integrate with the wider park landscape. Over 11,000 trees and 148,000 bushes, along with aquatic plants, will naturally purify the water and support local biodiversity.
The sustainability features of the Ellinikon are as remarkable as the scope of the development itself.
LAMDA is determined to go beyond what is stipulated by Greek and European legislation by following the international sustainable development and environmental design principles that align with the European Union’s climate neutrality targets.
All commercial and highrise residential developments within the first phase of the Ellinikon will meet, or have already achieved, LEED Gold standards. Individual landscape projects are being proposed for certification under the Sustainable SITES Initiative, which targets the development of sustainable outdoor practices. Furthermore, at least 70 per cent of all construction waste will be recovered and diverted from landfills.
Not surprisingly, smart parking assistance and smart mobility sharing schemes are available for bikes, e-bikes and scooters. Photovoltaic panels will be used extensively across the Ellinikon to provide energy. IoT technologies will be used to manage freshwater consumption and irrigation. Water management and flood protection will be achieved via an intricate underground network for the collection, treatment and the safe channeling of rainwater into the public network.
When the Ellinikon opens its doors this coming year, the world will have a new gold standard against which it can measure future large-scale developments.
John Bleasby is a freelance writer. Send comments and Climate and Construction column ideas to [email protected].
