Attica Beach Properties Ready For Modern Development Projects

Most of the organized beach properties in the Athens region are soon to be leased to the private sector for development and management. So far, 10-year lease agreements have been signed for the beach properties at Alimos and Vouliagmenis between Hellenic Tourism Properties and a construction-company-led consortium called Attikes Aktes. The beach properties at A Voula and B Voula, as well as at Varkiza, were turned over to a group led by Vernicos Yachts.

Both consortiums begin to utilize the properties as of September 30.

The two consortia won international tenders issued in February, which specifically excluded publishing companies.

All beaches have been operated by the country’s tourism organization since the 1960s. The two concessionaires will pay 2.8 and 2.9 billion drachmas in rent respectively.State-owned Hellenic Tourism Properties, the subsidiary of the Hellenic Tourism Organization that has a strategy of leasing or selling the organization’s assets, signed the lease agreements last month.

Accordingly, the beaches of Alimos, Vouliagmeni, Voula and Varkiza will soon boast modern complexes that include restaurants, bars, sporting facilities and perhaps even theme parks.

As well, on a beach adjacent to Glyfada, the Estrelia company is to build a large hotel and conference complex on a 10-hectare site, which, however, is said to be designated as forestland and is ostensibly protected as an archaeological site.

Other projects will follow. A signature on a presidential decree prepared in 1999 by the Athens Olympics Organization is pending final arrangements for the Olympic Games projects along the coast.