Athens Honors Laskaridis for Syntagma Square Refurbishment Donation

Syntagma Square, Athens

Athens Mayor Giorgos Kaminis honored Greek shipowner and businessman Thanasis Laskaridis, who covered the cost of refurbishment works at Syntagma Square through his tourism enterprise Lampsa Hellenic Hotels.

Greek shipowner Thanasis Laskaridis and Athens Mayor Giorgos Kaminis.

In cooperation with the Athens Municipality, Lampsa, which owns two landmark hotels on Syntagma Square – the historic Hotel Grande Bretagne and King George  – donated  1.5 million euros for the renovation of Athens’ central square.

Mayor Kaminis unveiled a plaque this week at Syntagma Square in Laskaridis’ honor, rewarding him for his contribution.

Thanks to Laskaridis’ donation, Syntagma Square underwent refurbishment and lighting works, which included removing graffiti, repairing broken benches, restoring cracked or damaged marble areas, remodeling the central fountain and landscaping. The Laskaridis Group has also undertaken the maintenance of the square.

Syntagma Square, aerial photo.

Active in hospitality, the Laskaridis Group also owns through its ASE-listed Lampsa Hellenic Hotels the Sheraton Hotel on Rhodes, as well as the Hyatt Regency and the Mercure Excelsior in Belgrade.

Syntagma Square

Last year, the group inked a long-term lease for the building that once housed the historic Kings Palace in Athens, which it plans to re-open as an upscale hotel in the near future.

Among others, Laskaridis is the founder of The People’s Trust, offering small grants for startup companies, and has made other donations to the Greek Navy and coast guard. He also established the AC Laskaridis Charitable Foundation which aims to build partnerships and implement program focusing on the environment and education.