Hellinikon and Skyscrapers Get Green Light

The Hellinikon project. Photo Source: https://thehellinikon.com

The Hellinikon project including six high-rise buildings to be constructed along the Athenian Riviera has moved to the next phase after Greece’s highest court approved a presidential decree covering the terms of the investor’s master plan.

The Greek Council of State decided this week that the decree did not violate the constitutional provisions concerning the natural and cultural environment, rejecting at the same time allegations that the project would lead to environmental degradation and deterioration of living conditions in the adjacent areas.

The plan covers a 6,008,076m2 area between the Elliniko and Agios Kosmas municipalities to be converted into metropolitan park. One of the main terms of the agreement is the protection of the natural habitat. Issuing a series of decisions, the court approved of the six high-rise buildings on the premises noting however, that the 200-meter height limit may be subject to change.

At the same time, the council decision removes all archaeological committee claims and objections concerning the project, noting that it does not have jurisdiction over zoning and spatial planning aspects. 

It should be reminded, that last week incoming Investments Minister Adonis Georgiadis said he would be re-examining a joint ministerial decision which has stalled the 8-billion-euro project as well as take all the necessary steps for the finalization of the pending casino license.

Georgiadis said he had been appointed by newly elected Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to oversee the coordination and implementation of the major investment expected to create some 10,000 jobs and generate millions of euros in state revenue.

The long delayed development of Athens’ former airport into a multipurpose hub is one of the new Greek government’s top priorities with Mitsotakis expected to table a bill that will allow for the project to move to the implementation stage.