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.
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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.