Rising from the site of Athens’ former international airport, The Ellinikon is more than Europe’s largest urban regeneration project; it is a visionary development designed from the ground-up to create a sustainable and resilient future for Greece.

Spearheaded by Lamda Development, the country’s most prominent contributor to its retail and mall landscape, this 6.2 million square meter project reimagines the iconic Athenian Riviera by weaving together cutting-edge technology, environmental consciousness and a commitment to fostering a thriving community.

Sustainability lies at the heart of The Ellinikon’s design philosophy. At its heart, The Ellinikon Park is a sprawling green oasis designed by Sasaki that will provide both a much-needed escape for residents and visitors and serve as a vital component of The Ellinikon’s environmental strategy. The park will contain more than one million plants and trees, the vast majority of which are native to Greece and therefore drought-resistant and will not require excessive irrigation.

In addition to promoting biodiversity and minimizing water consumption, excessive plantation will provide natural filtration that manages stormwater runoff, which will in turn replenish groundwater reserves and significantly cut down on pollutants in the water and soil.

The Ellinikon Park also will function as a dynamic community hub, offering 45 kilometers of walking and cycling paths, playgrounds, sports facilities, and ample spaces for relaxation and recreation. It also will host cultural events throughout the year as well as festivals and exhibitions that further contribute to The Ellinikon’s vibrant atmosphere. As a whole, The Ellinikon will play a central role in the reversal of Athens’ current 70:30 ratio of concrete to green space.

Sustainability in the Built Environment

Beyond The Ellinikon Park, the buildings located within The Ellinikon have also been designed with a holistic approach toward sustainable development at the forefront. With a focus on energy efficiency, passive design strategies such as natural ventilation and light harvesting are being applied to reduce energy consumption.

The use of highly energy-efficient mechanical systems, building envelope materials, and automations in each building, coupled with on-site renewable energy systems through dedicated solar panels, further enhances The Ellinikon’s environmental footprint.

The Riviera Tower stands as the most preeminent of these buildings. As Greece’s tallest residential skyscraper, The Riviera Tower will stand at 200 meters above sea level and be wrapped in a biophilic exterior, creating a new landmark for the Athenian skyline that offers residents and visitors breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea.

Designed by Foster + Partners, one of the world’s most renowned and innovative architectural firms, The LEED Gold-pre certified Riviera Tower was conceived with sustainability in mind, and as a result incorporates energy-efficient systems and materials, with its location maximizing its access to natural light and ventilation.

The Ellinikon’s commercial offerings are also designed to meet the rigorous standards of LEED Gold certification. These include The Riviera Galleria and The Ellinikon Mall, both of which have already been pre-certified, demonstrating their dedication to sustainability.

Furthermore, the Care Center for People with Disabilities, completed in 2023 as the first building to be delivered at The Ellinikon, has achieved LEED Platinum certification–the highest possible rating.

The Ellinikon’s outdoor spaces, including The Ellinikon Park and the Coastal Front, are also striving for SITES certification, a global industry standard for sustainable landscapes. The Ellinikon Experience Park, which opened to the public in 2022, has already earned SITES Gold certification, marking a significant milestone in European sustainable development as the first new construction project in Europe to ever achieve this distinction.

All of these components coalesce to create a true “15-minute city,” or one in which residents have access to all essential amenities within a short walk or bike ride. This approach further reduces reliance on cars and improves air quality, promoting a healthier lifestyle for residents.

The project also includes a variety of housing options, ranging from luxury apartments to market rate family homes, ensuring a diverse and inclusive community. These communities will be located throughout The Ellinikon in areas such as Little Athens, the city’s most recently announced neighborhood comprising three separate housing developments called Promenade Heights, Trinity Gardens and Atrium Gardens.

Climate and Environmental Resilience

Other areas showcasing Lamda Development’s dedication to sustainable development include the firm’s approach to issues such as water scarcity and waste management. Regarding the former, water-saving fixtures, smart water grid monitoring systems, and rainwater harvesting techniques are being utilized to minimize water consumption in parallel with an underground Wastewater Treatment Plant that will have the capacity to clean 10,000 cubic meters of urban water per day. This will cover all the irrigation needs of the vast Ellinikon Park with reused water.

Regarding natural resources, materials and waste management, recycled and locally-sourced materials have been prioritized throughout The Ellinikon’s construction, including the reuse of 2.5 hectares of recycled runway concrete and 150,000 cubic meters of demolition material.

Additionally, innovative approaches such as composting of biodegradable waste and extensive use of waste separation at source are being explored to create a more sustainable and resilient ecosystem. To date, the excavation works for The Ellinikon Mall alone have yielded 1.3 million cubic meters of soil, all of which will also be reused in other areas of the project.

The city has been designed to withstand the challenges of potential future climate change and sea level rise, with buildings being elevated or flood-proofed wherever possible and the incorporation of resilient infrastructure that manages flood risks. Additionally, heat-resistant materials and landscaping strategies have been employed to mitigate the effects of climate change over time.

Smart technology also plays a role in The Ellinikon’s construction and ongoing development. Cutting-edge technology is being used to enhance the project’s operational efficiencies as well as quality of life and safety. Monitoring systems also will be used to track systems operation and environmental conditions to identify potential threats, malfunctions, and inefficiencies before they occur. This intelligent infrastructure will adapt to changing conditions, optimizing energy and water usage.

Taking these factors into consideration, it becomes clear that The Ellinikon is more than just a city; it is a testament to and blueprint for a sustainable future. By merging cutting-edge technology with nature-inspired design, Lamda Development is redefining urban living and inspiring other developers around the world to do the same. This project promises a healthier, more vibrant, and more resilient Athens, setting a global standard for sustainable urban development.

Story was written by the Lamda Development team.