The holding of an international architectural ideas competition for the urban redevelopment of 5,000 stremmas in Elaionas, in the area around the Panathinaikos stadium in Votanikos, was announced today by the Vice President of the Government, Kostis Hatzidakis.
Kostis Hatzidakis, who has undertaken the coordination of the overall redevelopment plan for the area, visited today the under-construction Panathinaikos football stadium in Votanikos, where he was briefed on the progress of the works. He then went to the site where construction of the new facilities of Amateur Panathinaikos is expected to begin soon.
After his visit he made the following statement:
“The Panathinaikos stadium in Votanikos is progressing at a very fast pace! And it will be completed in the summer of 2027. In other words, Panathinaikos will play in this stadium in the 2027-2028 Championship. Positive news for Panathinaikos, positive news for Greek football, positive news for Athens. Because this project here is part of the double redevelopment. Around the Votanikos stadium, in an area of approximately 300 stremmas, urban redevelopment works will be carried out -are already being carried out, are progressing- with an emphasis on greenery, other sports facilities, which will have a very positive impact on Athens.
Today, however, I also have something else to announce on behalf of the government: We recently assigned Anaplasi S.A. to proceed with an international architectural ideas competition for the redevelopment of 5,000 stremmas of Elaionas. Elaionas covers, based on the presidential decree, an area of around 9,000 stremmas. We are talking about 5,000 stremmas roughly around the Panathinaikos stadium, which concern 4 different municipalities. We are talking about a major urban redevelopment program that, indeed, will give new life to Athens. Many green spaces are included in this. It is the relocation of the transport companies from here, from Votanikos. It remains the government's intention for them to go to Fyli. It is the relocation of the KTEL station toward the metro station, based on earlier ideas and plans. One of the most important projects that will develop in the country in the coming years.
Obviously the international architectural ideas competition is the kickoff, if you will. Consultation will follow afterward with all stakeholders, certainly with all the municipalities. But it is something that we owe to Athens. Votanikos for many decades was a black hole. Starting from the Panathinaikos stadium, Votanikos is changing, Elaionas is changing, Athens is changing”.
More specifically, Kostis Hatzidakis was briefed on the works at the new Panathinaikos stadium, as well as on the interventions for shaping the surrounding area, which will include more than 300 stremmas of greenery and public spaces.
He then, the Vice President of the Government, visited the site where the new, modern sports center of Amateur Panathinaikos will be built and was briefed on the next milestones for the implementation of the project, following the completion of the contractor selection process and the pre-approval of the building permit. The sports center will include an indoor gymnasium, a training facility and an open-air Olympic-size swimming pool. The works are expected to be completed in the summer of 2027.
Finally, the Vice President of the Government visited the construction site of Votanikos Business Park, which is being developed by DIMAND AE on the site of the former Athenian Paper Mill. The project concerns the creation of a modern mixed-use complex, with workspaces, complementary uses and extensive green spaces. 63,000 square meters will be delivered for use. The project, which will contribute to the upgrading of the wider area, is expected to be completed in the second half of 2028.