Transformative development at Ellinikon: Europe's largest smart city - Travel And Tour World

Ellinikon, the site of Athens' former airport along the southern coastline, is undergoing a transformation into what is projected to become the largest smart city in Europe. After facing a decade of delays, the project is finally advancing, showcasing a future that emphasizes innovation and sustainability. Notably, the Marina Tower, which will be Greece's first skyscraper, is progressively rising. Concurrently, the construction of condominiums is underway, visibly marking the progress of this monumental project.

Features of the New Smart City

As one stands at the marina, the view merges the stunning Saronic Gulf with the new structures, providing a vision of the future cityscape that aims to transform Athens. Ellinikon promises to deliver:

• Expansive open spaces
• Utilization of sustainable energy sources
• Extensive greenery

These features are intended to tackle some of Athens' long-standing urban challenges.

Impact and Economic Potential

Odisseas Athanasiou, CEO of Lamda Development, reflects on the skepticism initially faced by the project. Now, as the project progresses, it serves as a symbol of Greece's economic recovery, boosting investor confidence and heralding a new era of prosperity. Ellinikon is expected to dramatically alter the economic and physical landscape of Greece:

• Geographical and Economic Scope: Spanning 6,200 acres, just a 20-minute drive from central Athens, Ellinikon is set to substantially enhance the local economy.
• Economic Contributions:
  • Predicted to add 2.5 percentage points to Greece's GDP by 2037
  • Expected to create up to 80,000 jobs
  • Projected to generate over €10 billion in tax revenue

Tourism and International Attraction

Ellinikon is poised to significantly impact the travel and tourism industry by drawing an additional one million visitors each year. Tourists will benefit from high-end amenities including:

• The prestigious Mandarin Oriental hotel
• An integrated casino-resort These facilities are designed to enrich the visitor experience and support the growth of Greece's tourism sector, which is already witnessing a significant revival post-Covid, with 32 million tourists last year and even higher projections for 2024.