Latest news with #EllinikonInternationalAirport
The Irish Sun
22-07-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Abandoned European airport being BULLDOZED & turned into new ‘smart city' unveils timeline for first homes
THE site of a major international airport is set to be transformed into a smart city as new plans have been unveiled. Spanning a whopping 6.2 million square metres, this site even played a role on the Olympic stage. 6 The Ellinikon development will see the former airport site coverted into a 'smart city' Credit: 6 The former international airport was used during the Athens Summer Olympics in 2004 Credit: Getty 6 First built in 1938, the Athens airport served over 12 million passengers a year in its heyday before closing in 2001 Credit: Getty The former Athens International Airport site is set to undergo the First used as a airport in 1938, the Greek airport saw its last flight in 2001 as operations moved to the new Spata site. Since then parts of the development were repurposed for the Athens Summer Olympics in 2004. Sports such as canoe‑slalom, hockey, and softball were hosted on the grounds. Read More On Airports Ambitious development In 2012, purchased the site and now executives have shared an update on their ambitious plans. Set to be one of Europe's largest regeneration projects , the Ellinikon urban development will see a new "smart city" constructed on the premises of the former airport. And despite minor delays of three to four months in some areas due to updates in national building regulations, construction remains largely on track with the city set to welcome residents by 2027. There are four residential projects underway, one along the coastal front and three within the 'Little Athens' district. Most read in News Travel Accordinf to Lamda, these are all progressing ahead of schedule, with the average price for residential units in the Little Athens neighbourhood now exceeding €8,500 (£7,372) per square metre. There is also strong commercial interest in the retail aspects of the project, with the Elliniko—Vouliagmenis Mall poised to become the largest mall in Greece. Incredible 'airport of the future' revealed - with no queues or long waits To date, Lamba has generated €1.2 billion (£1 billion) in revenue from real estate sales at Ellinikon. The development is rapidly establishing itself as a landmark urban regeneration model, combining luxury living, retail, and green public spaces in a singular coastal destination. It is set to include a 600 acre metropolitan park, a Hard Rock Cafe & Casino, museums, schools, university campuses, cinemas, office towers, and even beaches. The development, which is roughly three times the size of Monaco, will be largely powered by renewable energy. It will even feature a massive green canopy to reduce heat island effect. History of Ellinikon International Airport By TOM MALLEY Ellinikon International Airport once served around 11 million passengers a year - and recorded 13.5 million passengers during its final year of operation. Located four miles south of central Athens, the airport was initially built in 1938, just before the Second World War, at a time when the area was sparsely populated. But shortly after it opened, the Third Reich invaded Greece and after 1941, the airport served as a Luftwaffe airbase during the occupation. In 1945, the Greek authorities had to sign an agreement with the United States Air Force that allowed them to use the airport for flights between Italy and the From October 1, 1945, to 1969, the airport became the Hellinikon Air Base. A command and control centre, as well as a passenger and cargo terminal, were opened at the airport. In 1958, the airport changed its name to Athens International Airport when its purpose was changed to civil aviation. In 1988, however, Greece refused to renew their agreement with the US Air Force, which conducted its last operation at the airport in 1991. Following its official closure ten years later, abandoned planes, empty hangars, overgrown runways and crumbling infrastructure formed part of the huge eyesore that was once a major international airport. And while most of the existing structure will be bulldozed, some of the historic hangers will be maintained and converted into cultural spaces. Project timeline The development is currently in its first phase, with construction of the park, Riviera Tower, and casino set to be complete by the end of 2026. Meanwhile, the Little Athens residences, Hard Rock Hotel, and commercial areas will be developed between 2027 and 2030. And from 2030 onwards, work will focus on the full expansion of cultural, business, and educational hubs. 6 The development will include a large park, retail spaces, residential units, and uniersity campuses Credit: 6 The Ellinikon development will even feature a beach front area for residents Credit: More airport stories Plus, the And the The Plans for a And 6 Some historic elements of the airport will be preserved while the rest is set to be demolished to make way for the massive city Credit: Getty
Scottish Sun
22-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Abandoned European airport being BULLDOZED & turned into new ‘smart city' unveils timeline for first homes
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE site of a major international airport is set to be transformed into a smart city as new plans have been unveiled. Spanning a whopping 6.2 million square metres, this site even played a role on the Olympic stage. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 The Ellinikon development will see the former airport site coverted into a 'smart city' Credit: 6 The former international airport was used during the Athens Summer Olympics in 2004 Credit: Getty 6 First built in 1938, the Athens airport served over 12 million passengers a year in its heyday before closing in 2001 Credit: Getty The former Athens International Airport site is set to undergo the ambitious Ellinikon urban development, with the first residential units estimated in 2027. First used as a airport in 1938, the Greek airport saw its last flight in 2001 as operations moved to the new Spata site. Since then parts of the development were repurposed for the Athens Summer Olympics in 2004. Sports such as canoe‑slalom, hockey, and softball were hosted on the grounds. Ambitious development In 2012, Lamda Development purchased the site and now executives have shared an update on their ambitious plans. Set to be one of Europe's largest regeneration projects, the Ellinikon urban development will see a new "smart city" constructed on the premises of the former airport. And despite minor delays of three to four months in some areas due to updates in national building regulations, construction remains largely on track with the city set to welcome residents by 2027. There are four residential projects underway, one along the coastal front and three within the 'Little Athens' district. Accordinf to Lamda, these are all progressing ahead of schedule, with the average price for residential units in the Little Athens neighbourhood now exceeding €8,500 (£7,372) per square metre. There is also strong commercial interest in the retail aspects of the project, with the Elliniko—Vouliagmenis Mall poised to become the largest mall in Greece. Incredible 'airport of the future' revealed - with no queues or long waits To date, Lamba has generated €1.2 billion (£1 billion) in revenue from real estate sales at Ellinikon. The development is rapidly establishing itself as a landmark urban regeneration model, combining luxury living, retail, and green public spaces in a singular coastal destination. It is set to include a 600 acre metropolitan park, a Hard Rock Cafe & Casino, museums, schools, university campuses, cinemas, office towers, and even beaches. The development, which is roughly three times the size of Monaco, will be largely powered by renewable energy. It will even feature a massive green canopy to reduce heat island effect. History of Ellinikon International Airport By TOM MALLEY Ellinikon International Airport once served around 11 million passengers a year - and recorded 13.5 million passengers during its final year of operation. Located four miles south of central Athens, the airport was initially built in 1938, just before the Second World War, at a time when the area was sparsely populated. But shortly after it opened, the Third Reich invaded Greece and after 1941, the airport served as a Luftwaffe airbase during the occupation. In 1945, the Greek authorities had to sign an agreement with the United States Air Force that allowed them to use the airport for flights between Italy and the Middle East. From October 1, 1945, to 1969, the airport became the Hellinikon Air Base. A command and control centre, as well as a passenger and cargo terminal, were opened at the airport. In 1958, the airport changed its name to Athens International Airport when its purpose was changed to civil aviation. In 1988, however, Greece refused to renew their agreement with the US Air Force, which conducted its last operation at the airport in 1991. Following its official closure ten years later, abandoned planes, empty hangars, overgrown runways and crumbling infrastructure formed part of the huge eyesore that was once a major international airport. And while most of the existing structure will be bulldozed, some of the historic hangers will be maintained and converted into cultural spaces. Project timeline The development is currently in its first phase, with construction of the park, Riviera Tower, and casino set to be complete by the end of 2026. Meanwhile, the Little Athens residences, Hard Rock Hotel, and commercial areas will be developed between 2027 and 2030. And from 2030 onwards, work will focus on the full expansion of cultural, business, and educational hubs. 6 The development will include a large park, retail spaces, residential units, and uniersity campuses Credit: 6 The Ellinikon development will even feature a beach front area for residents Credit: More airport stories Plus, the UK airport set to re-open with potential budget routes after a £500 million revamp. And the world's best airport has officially been named, boasting a "triple runway". The most beautiful airports have also been ranked, with a popular European one featuring near the top. Plans for a mega town near a major UK airport have also been unveiled. And Southend Airport has reopened after a major crash killed four people.
Daily Mirror
10-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Abandoned Greek airport and huge £7.2b plans to transform it into seaside city
Once considered the gateway to Athens, this abandoned airport is set to gain a second life after a multi-billion pound investment Airports have become a source of increasing intrigue for travellers, with some becoming tourist destinations in their own right. But for all the internationally acclaimed airports with waterfalls and state-of-the-art attractions, there are some that are in dire need of repair and some which have been abandoned altogether. The Ellinikon International Airport (ATH) is one former air hub that has become a relative ghost town, though that soon may change. The airport previously served as the primary airport in Greece for 63 years, accommodating 20 million passengers annually. But what was once the main gateway for Athens and its surrounding cities, was closed after the opening of the Eleftherios Venizelos Airport (ATH) in 2001 made it redundant. The decision to close Ellinikon was also influenced by noise and security concerns. Ellinikon subsequently became a symbol of Greece's economic struggles, though plans to transform the airport into a smart coastal city will see those fortunes reversed. The abandoned airport is set to be the site of the 'largest urban regeneration project in Europe' with a total investment of €8.5 billion (approximately £7.2 billion). Lamda Development, a Greek real estate developer, has revealed that the first phase of this initiative is set to finish by early 2026 and will include a public park, spanning two million sq metres. According to Odisseas Athanasiou, Lamda Development CEO: 'Ellinikon is the first area in Greece to be developed from the outset as a smart city and it was designed to be environmentally sustainable and resistant to climate change.' The development is planned in collaboration with various international and local partners, with the master plan including a combination of residential, commercial, recreational and cultural spaces. The project will reportedly create more than 10,000 new homes, a 200-hectare park, shopping centres, hotels, and a wide range of cultural and entertainment venues. The entire urban project revolves around a central concept: the '15-minute city'. In essence, this means that the layout will be designed to ensure all essential services are reachable within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from residential areas. This central concept is meant to promote quality of life, while also reducing the area's reliance on cars. That said, sustainability is a key priority for the Ellinikon Project. The development will be integrated with renewable energy sources, smart grids and waste management systems. The buildings will also need to meet high environmental standards, with a focus on energy efficiency, water conservation, and the use of sustainable materials. The plan is also to make Ellinikon a new hub for tourism and international business in Athens, attracting travellers with state-of-the-art commercial spaces and entertainment centres like a Hard Rock casino. The project also includes plans for the development of a 400-wide marina, which will cater to the growing demand for luxury yachting in the Mediterranean. The Tower at Ellinikon is also set to become the tallest building in Greece and one of the tallest in the Mediterranean. It will feature 50 floors of 173 luxury residences, including one- to five-bedroom apartments and penthouses. The building is pre-certified for LEED Gold, emphasizing its commitment to sustainability through climate-conscious design and advanced biophilic architecture. In fact, the entire project will feature extensive use of smart city technologies, including intelligent transportation systems, smart lighting, and advanced security features. The Ellinikon Project is expected to have a significant economic impact on Athens and Greece in general. The construction and upkeep of the development alone will lead to thousands of jobs, ideally attracting foreign investment. Since the final flight from Ellinikon Airport in 2001 - when an Olympic Airways Boeing 737 flew to Thessaloniki - the airport has been closed for 25 years. But this second-chance development will see its legacy renewed.
