The new face of the former International Airport in Hellenikon will soon be a fact. This is definitively the most ambitious architectural project ever designed in the city. It will change the face of the coastal area, bringing thousands of work positions and millions of tourists in Athens.
The Hellenikon deal is a breath of fresh air for the staggering Greek economy. After a long competition for the privatization of the 6,000 acres project, the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (TAIPED) has approved the bid made by Greek company Lamda Development. It was the only legitimate bid left, after three more ventures withdrew in the process.
Lamda Development plans include one of the biggest parks in the world
Lamda Development plans for the area are quite impressive: they include a 2 million square meters park (one of the biggest ones in the world), top sports facilities, an upgraded coastal front of 1 kilometer, open to the public and plenty of tourist infrastructures, such as the "Marina Residential Tower", designed to draw one million additional tourists every year in Athens.
Worth 7 billion dollars, the investment will create tens of thousands of work positions. It is the biggest and most ambitious investment and it will become a reality next week, when the Lamda economic bid will be officially opened.
This $ 7 billion investment will create 50 thousands new work positions
The TAIPED announcement mentions that “after the technical councilors recommendation, the Lamda Development bid for the Hellenikon project is in accordance with the prerequisites of the contest and the relevant legal development framework and as such, it is accepted”.
The Lamda Development bid was based on investments from two powerful foreign companies contributing to the project. It is Al Maabar from Abu Dhabi, one of the largest real estate agencies in the Middle East and northern Africa and the Fosun Group from China, one of the biggest multinational clubs based in Songhai.
According to reports, Lamda Development first approached the Fosun Group during the trip to China organized by the Greek government a few months ago. It was an attempt by the PM Antonis Samaras to attract Chinese capitals to the country. Abu Dhabi company Al Maabar, which entered the bid later, is a subsidiary of Mubadala Developments, a sovereign fund. The company's running capital is at 55 billion dollars.
The Greek state stands to gain 30% of the profit which will come over the 15% of the Lamda Development returns. Taxation-wise estimates are that VAT returns will be around 2 to 3 billion euros during construction alone, with an additional 1 billion as income tax. Real estate executives estimate that even neighboring realty prices will skyrocket.
When the project is completed, 50,000 new work positions are expected to be created. The end result will be nothing less than magnificent, guaranteed by the design of internationally acclaimed architect Norman Foster, an artist who uses his own special brand of style in every project he uses his signature on.
Who is Norman Robert Foster?
He is one of the most admired architects in the world and he is tipped to be the man behind the design of the old Hellenikon airport, should the deal with Lamda Development go through. Norman Robert Foster is known for his work in football stadiums, museums and houses of parliament.
The man who will change the face of Hellenikon
News that he was going to head the Hellenikon project was received with awe by the Greek architectural community who are among his most avid admirers. Among his designs are such massive places as the Wembley arena, Barcelona's stadium Camp Nou and the German Reichstag building.
For a city so carelessly patched through, instead of being thoroughly designed like others, having an architect with the stature of Norman Foster design even a part of it, will indeed be an honor
The 79 year old architect was born in Reddish, Stockport, England and raised in Manchester. He joined the Royal Air Force and when discharged, he attended the University of Manchester's School of Architecture. Upon graduating he won a fellowship to the Yale School of Architecture, traveled to America, returned to England and started his own firm, which eventually turned into “Foster + Partners".
In his illustrious career he has received numerous accolades, including a knighthood in 1990, the Order of Merit in 1997, a life peer-ship as Baron Foster of Thames Bank in 1999, the Sterling Prize (twice) and the Prizker Architecture Prize. Most recently, in 2007, he was given the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, the largest award in the world in his field.
Among his lesser known works are the Cork Tower in Ireland, the Museum of Aviation in Getafe, Spain, the Russia Tower in Moscow, the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts and the University of Technology Petronas in Malaysia, for which he won the coveted Aga Khan Award.
It is obvious that such a prestigious architect will be able to design something which will make the coastal suburbs of Athens proud. The huge Hellenikon project will be his first Greek design and it is expected to become a tourist attraction in Athens. For a city so carelessly patched through, instead of being thoroughly designed like others, having an architect with the stature of Norman Foster design even a part of it, will indeed be an honor.
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