At the moment, more than fifteen hotels are in the pipeline on the main roads, many of which are expected to receive their first visitors in the near future.
The investment barrage in the tourist market of Athens brings tectonic changes in the image and the character of the historical center of the capital. Domestic and foreign funds continue to invest millions of euros in the transformation of emblematic buildings and office space into luxury accommodation units at key points, betting on the city’s enormous potential as a city break destination which is expected to be further strengthened after the end of the year. According to data collected by “NEA”, at the moment there are more than fifteen hotels in the “axes” in the main areas, many of which are expected to receive their first visitors in the near future. It should be noted that most of the funds to be invested are of Israeli origin, while the presence of Chinese but also domestic investment players of real estate is remarkable.
Indicatively, the consortium of Dimand and Prodea Investments with the help of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) turn the Saroglio Megaron at 65 Stadiou Street into a luxury hotel, under the international brand of Moxy (Marriott group). This is an 8-storey building in Omonia with an area of 11,300 sq.m, which was leased by the consortium for 25 years (with the right of extension for 25 years) from the Army Share Fund and the Armed Forces Officers Club. The investment is estimated at about 20 million euros, with a time horizon of completion at the end of 2021 and will have a capacity of 200 rooms. Fattal Hotels is proceeding with the radical renovation of the former Esperia Hotel at 22 Stadiou Street, which intends to create a 5-star unit under the name NYX Athens. The company, of Israeli interests, will spend more than 10 million euros while the start is set from the new year.
Within 2021, it is estimated that Intrakat will complete the creation of a five-star 45-room hotel, named “Xenodocheio Milos” in a 3-storey listed building at 3-5 Kolokotroni Street in Athens. Intrakat leased the property from the Army Share Fund after a relevant tender in 2017, while the cost of the investment is expected to reach 7 million euros.
Conversely, time is running out for the opening of the historic La Mirage Hotel in Omonia by the Israeli interest hotel company Brown Hotels. It has also invested in the Brown Acropol and DAVE Red Athens hotels in the Omonia area.
In 2021, the opening of the new boutique hotel “82 Evripidou Hotel” in the center of Athens is expected, with a capacity of 63 rooms by the Israeli companies Ficus Investments and Brown Hotels. This is the reconstruction of two 5-storey tangential buildings (with the Manousaki Gallery) at 82 Evripidou Street.
A new 4-star hotel in the area of Omonia is being prepared by a company of Chinese interests. This is the Omega Hotel, which will operate in an old office building, at the junction of 10 Piraeus and Zinonos streets. The tourist accommodation will have 50 rooms and suites, Asian cuisine restaurant, rooftop bar overlooking the Acropolis and Lycabettus, lobby bar which will serve table seats on the pedestrian street of Zinonos etc.
Luxurious suites (35) overlooking the Acropolis are designed by Cassalta on Syggrou Street. The company is owned by Israeli capital and is said to already have in its portfolio, independent buildings suitable for Luxury suites at 7 Deligeorgi in Omonia (1,200 sq.m) and at 23-25 Agisilaou in Kerameikos (2,500 sq.m).
The prospects
The investment momentum that is developing is expected to positively affect the real estate market of the wider area, which after a long period of partial devaluation acquires new breath and perspective.
In fact, they predict a general increase in values in the entire Municipality of Athens, which for a long time – with few exceptions – had suffered a sharp decline. The president of the Panhellenic E-Real Estates Network, Themistoklis Bakas, considers that it is a matter of time before the center of the capital evolves into a destination of international standards due to the important moves made by various funds and the imminent utilization of many buildings that will remain “orphaned” within the framework of the government plan to transfer nine ministries to the facilities of the former PYRKAL in Ymittos.