Abandoned Ellinikon airport set to become world’s largest coast park on the Athenian Riviera

·

The Ellinikon has been abandoned for almost 20 years, having been a military base, an airport and even an Olympic venue. The space that that the abandoned former airport has created has proved to be the perfect real estate for a coastal park on the Athenian Riviera.

In 2020, works began on the site to transform part of the space into residential buildings, some into commercial and the rest to be recreated into the world’s largest coastal park, The Metropolitan Park.

Thomas Doxiadis is the landscape architect behind the project and he draws parallels with the Olympic Park in London that was also previously a industrial site that found its new purpose in a park, a shopping mall and even residential buildings.

“Areas like this are first seen as a problem, then an opportunity,” Doxiadis says.

“The Experience Park is tying together three different conditions: to make the place fun, to keep the memory of the airport alive and to make something that is as sustainable as possible.”

The old runways of the abandoned airport are to be thoughtfully repurposed as benches, sculptures and even as Mediterranean-style flagstones that surround a newly planted formal garden.

Upon its completion, Ellinikon will be a destination in and of itself, creating a full kilometre of public beach, making access to the sun and sand of the Athenian Riviera even easier for day trippers from the city and the island-hopping boats of Piraeus.

“Taking the ruins of something and then building the next thing out of it is as Greek as you can get,” Doxiadis says.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Hellenic spirit shines at the opening of the Odyssey Greek Festival 2025

The opening night of the 2025 Odyssey Greek Festival was a vibrant celebration of culture, memory, and community

Areti Ketime brings the spirit of rebetiko to Melbourne for the Zeibekiko Festival

The Zeibekiko Festival has returned for its third year this month with a lively Rebetika performance in Melbourne by singer Areti Ketime. 

Literary memorial in Sydney honours the legacy of esteemed scholar Dr George Kanarakis

A literary memorial in honour of Greek academic and internationally renowned linguist of Australia, Dr George Kanarakis, was held on Tuesday.

Memorial service to be held in Sydney to honour the life of Chris Felemegas

A memorial service will be held in Sydney on Sunday, October 12, to honour the life of Chris Felemegas, a figure remembered for his warmth.

Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Ioannis Loverdos meets Archbishop Makarios in Sydney

Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Hellenism Abroad, Ioannis Loverdos, met with Archbishop Makarios of Australia on Tuesday.

You May Also Like

Sydney doctor Peter Alexakis found guilty of malpractice

Sydney doctor Peter Alexakis has been found guilty of professional misconduct in NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) this week.

Conos family set to sell prime Melbourne CBD property after 37 years

After 37 years, the Conos family is saying goodbye to the seven-storey Swanston House on Swanston Street in Melbourne’s CBD. 

Ekmek Kataifi: Niki Louca shares her favourite recipe

Ekmek kataifi is one of those desserts that can be enjoyed all year round. It’s easy to make, but you need a few hours to allow the custard to set.