The site of the old Athens International Airport is being redeveloped in spectacular fashion with the Ellinikon urban development, an €8 billion mega development that's poised to redefine modern living along the Greek coast. Set for completion and opening its doors to its first residents by 2027, the scheme has emerged as one of the largest urban regeneration schemes in Europe.

First opened in 1938 and shuttered in 2001 when operations transferred to Spata's new Eleftherios Venizelos Airport, the once-thriving Ellinikon Airport remained largely vacant for more than two decades. Its tale is set to be rewritten in steel, glass, foliage, and intelligent infrastructure.

Lamda's Vision Comes True

Lamda Development, which purchased the 6.2 million square meter plot of land in 2012, made announcements about the ambitious Ellinikon city project recently—and the news is positive. Despite some delays caused by shifts in the regulatory landscape, management affirmed that building is mostly on schedule.

There are four residential developments in progress, one on the coast and three in the "Little Athens" area. Prices per unit in Little Athens are currently up to €8,500 (£7,372) per square meter, which is a reflection of the growing demand for upmarket lifestyle on the coast.

Overall, Lamda has already generated €1.2 billion (£1 billion) of real estate revenue at Ellinikon, a vote of confidence in the long-term value of the project by the investors.

From Olympic Grounds to Europe's Smartest District

Already, the old airport has found a place in contemporary Greek history. During the Athens Summer Olympics held in 2004, the site was used temporarily to accommodate sports such as hockey, softball, and canoe slalom. Today, the same site is being transformed into a futuristic smart city with green infrastructure, upscale housing, commercial areas, and plenty of green parks.

Ellinikon city development will have a 600-acre urban park—Europe's biggest coastal park—which will have locally native vegetation, shaded pathways, and a huge green roof designed to reduce urban heat. Much of the district will be powered by renewable energy, making it a model for green city planning in the future.

Retail Boom on the Horizon

Along with residential, retail is also a prominent component of the complex. Under construction is the Elliniko—Vouliagmenis Mall, to become the largest mall in Greece. There has been strong commercial interest in leasing space, with international and local brands vying to claim prime positions at Athens' new shopping mall.

Additional facilities in the works are office complexes, museums, university complexes, cinemas, luxury hotels, and even beachfront entertainment complexes—all in a pedestrian-friendly and technologically sophisticated city environment.

Iconic Riviera Tower and Hard Rock Casino Provide the Backdrop

The most spectacular feature of the complex will be the Riviera Tower, Greece's first residential tower. The Ellinikon Riviera tower will feature Aegean vistas and will be part of the initial construction phase, as will the park and casino. This is set to be completed by 2026.

The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino will bring international style and tourism into the project, offering entertainment, gaming, and luxury hotel rooms—injecting even more economic vitality into the coastal economy.

Historic Airport with a New Flight Plan

Ellinikon Airport was the backbone of Greek air transport in the past, with over 11 million travelers going through annually at its peak. Just four miles from the center of Athens, the airport was constructed originally pre-WWII, then used by the Luftwaffe during Nazi occupation, and by the USAF after WWII.

It was officially converted into a civilian hub in 1958 and stayed that way until 2001. When it closed, the complex stood as a haunting testament to the past of aviation in Greece, with deserted terminals, weed-ridden runways, and rusty hangers—some of which were to be restored and transformed into museums and cultural centers.

Looking Ahead: A Timeline for the Future

The Ellinikon urban extension is carried out in three principal phases:

·         Phase 1 (2022–2026): Completion of Park, Riviera Tower, and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

·         Phase 2 (2027–2030): Building of commercial and residential buildings in Little Athens, establishment of business and university areas.

·         Phase 3 (post 2030): Extend to cultural, educational, and commercial infrastructure on a larger scale.

With its smart design, green energy, high standard of living, and cultural heritage, the Ellinikon urban development will be a blueprint for cities of the future around the globe—renewing not just a plot of land, but a vision for urban living in the 21st century.

Conclusion

As Greece gets back on its feet economically and socially from adversity, the Ellinikon urban development is a beacon of innovation, resilience, and hope. From airport to thriving seaside city, this development is not about towers—it's about creating a future.