Hard Rock’s First Hotel Casino in Greece Expected to Open in 3 Years

An impression of the the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Athens in Hellinikon. Photo source: GEK TERNA Group

The groundbreaking of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Athens, the only Integrated Resort Complex of its kind in Europe, was celebrated on Friday.

An investment of Hard Rock International, owner of one of the world’s most iconic and recognized brands, and Greek construction group GEK TERNA, the luxury resort and casino will be located in Hellinikon, south Athens, and part of the landmark project The Ellinikon of LAMDA Development on the site of the former Hellenikon International Airport. The 30-year concession is a partnership between Hard Rock International (51 percent) and GEK TERNA Group (49 percent), with the latter being also responsible for the entire construction of the project, which is expected to last approximately three years and be ready by late 2026.

The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Athens in Hellinikon has officially entered its construction phase, which currently includes soil reinforcement works, studies and configuration of the construction site and offices. Pictured is Hard Rock International Chairman Jim Allen with Greek political dignitaries, key members from development partner GEK TERNA and local dignitaries breaking ground. Photo source: GEK TERNA Group

Representatives of the project on Friday revealed that the total amount of the investment for the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino will reach 1.5 billion euros, up from 1.1 billion originally announced; create 3,000 jobs during the construction phase and another 3,000 permanent jobs during its operation. Moreover, the project foresees the contribution of dozens of millions euros on an annual basis to the Greek state over the next three decades.

“The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Athens will be a reference point for Greece’s tourism product internationally,” GEK TERNA Group Chairman and CEO George Peristeris said, during the presentation of the project at a special event at the Experience Centre in Hellinikon.

GEK TERNA Group Chairman and CEO George Peristeris.

“We are delighted that in cooperation with a world leader in this sector, Hard Rock International, we are realizing an investment much higher than its already significant nominal value,” he said, adding that the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino will be a project with high domestic added value as it will offer employment to thousands of people and yield significant revenues to the national budget.

“The Integrated Resort Complex in Hellinikon is no longer a promise, a vision, or a plan. It is a project that is already being built, proving in practice that we implement our commitments.”

An impression of the interior of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Athens. Photo source: GEK TERNA Group

Expected to significantly upgrade the tourism product of Greece, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Athens will combine a 5-star luxury hotel with suites and rooms with sea view or city view across Athens and the Parthenon, a world class gaming floor, a premier meeting and convention space, a state-of-the-art entertainment venue capable of hosting concerts by international artists, high-quality food and beverage outlets, luxurious Rock® Spa and Pool Complex and a high-end retail promenade.

On his part, Hard Rock International Chairman Jim Allen thanked the Greek political leaders, GEK TERNA Group and the people of Athens for supporting the project.

Hard Rock International Chairman Jim Allen.

“Today is a very special day as we celebrate this momentous occasion to bring our unique brand of world’ class entertainment to Athens,” he said, adding that Hard Rock, which is present in 70 countries around the world, always wanted to invest long-term in Greece due to its culture and history.

“This project is one of our most important, as it is not just a casino and a leisure hotel, but a project that will be a strong pole of attraction worldwide and will change the way we perceive entertainment in Greece,” he said.

At the construction site

Following the presentation, journalists were given a tour of the new hotel’s construction site.

Having officially entered the construction phase, the complex is being developed at the southern end of the former Hellenikon International Airport, above Poseidonos avenue.

According to GEK TERNA, the aim is for the building to be certified in accordance to the BREEAM standard, a globally recognised standard for best practice in sustainable building design, construction and operation.

An impression of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Athens facing Posidonos Avenue. Photo source: GEK TERNA Group

The tower under construction, which will have a height of 197 meters or 42 floors, will host more than 1,000 rooms and suites, for some 3,500 guests. The top floor will include a pool, bar, Rock Spa and Body Rock fitness center.

Almost 20 cafes and restaurants will operate in the complex, including the second Hard Rock cafe in Athens. The project also sees the creation of the Hard Rock Live concert center, designed to accommodate 3,000 spectators. The casino will include 200 tables and 2,000 gaming machines on an area of 15,000 square meters.

The plot where construction of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Athens will begin.

The area where the Hard Rock Live concert center will be located.

According to GEK TERNA Group Chairman and CEO George Peristeris, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Athens is “what is absent right now” from the tourism product of Athens and Greece.

“This Integrated Resort Complex will be a independent zone of entertainment and tourism,” he said.

Photo source: GEK TERNA Group

Commenting on the high-level entertainment that the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Athens will offer, Hard Rock’s head, Jim Allen, said the aim of the project is to “create a destination for the whole world”, one that will easily be recognized by visitors to Athens.

The presentation of the GEK TERNA Group’s and Hard Rock International’s project was attended by Greek Minister of Development, Kostas Skrekas; the US Ambassador to Greece, George J. Tsunis; the CEO of Lamda Development, Odisseas Athanasiou; the president of the Hellenic Gaming Commission, Dimitris Ntzanatos; and the Mayor of the Municipality of Elliniko – Argyroupoli and President of the Public Users Management Body of the Hellenic Metropolitan Pole of Agios Kosmas, Giannis Konstantatos.