Hi chaps!!! I'm back

In this thread we well visit a jewel in the making, namely one of the hottest parts of the coastal zone of Athens that is under regeneration with the prospect of becoming a counterpart of the similar developments that took place in Barcelona for the 1992 Olympics.

This particular zone remained idle for many years and it was because of the Olympics that saw the first phase of development with the new tram line, the construction of the Volleyball open stadium and the Taekwondo indoor stadium (capacity 8,500 during to the Olympic games).

The part that we are going to visit can be seen in the centre of the picture below and is located around the big road junction that we see in the centre, the Syggrou-Posseidonos (i.e.the coastal avenue) junction:

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Skyscrapers%20and%20Modern%20Architecture/Google-PhaleronBayView.jpg
(C) Google Earth

Unfortunately, the above picture dates back to the time of the Olympic works but it is a good starting point.

The major attraction is the Esplanade, a large square that extends above the junction connecting a large area that once used to be a horse racing track and now is tendered in a competition whare the best bidder will take it to create a park/ entertainment complex.

-Part of the Esplanade

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Skyscrapers%20and%20Modern%20Architecture/PalaionPhaleronEsplanade.jpg


-Views of the Syggrou-Posseidonos junction from the Esplanade

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Skyscrapers%20and%20Modern%20Architecture/PalaionPhaleronPosseidonosJunction1.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Skyscrapers%20and%20Modern%20Architecture/PalaionPhaleronPosseidonos3.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Skyscrapers%20and%20Modern%20Architecture/PalaionPhaleronPosseidonosJunction3.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Skyscrapers%20and%20Modern%20Architecture/PalaionPhaleronPosseidonosJunction2.jpg

-Views of the nearby Marina from the Esplanade

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Skyscrapers%20and%20Modern%20Architecture/PalaionPhaleronMarina3.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Skyscrapers%20and%20Modern%20Architecture/PalaionPhaleronMarina.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Skyscrapers%20and%20Modern%20Architecture/PalaionPhaleronMarina2.jpg


-Views of the Athletic installations from the Esplanade

Athens Olympics coastal installations and Volleyball Stadium:

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Skyscrapers%20and%20Modern%20Architecture/PalaionPhaleron2PosseidonosOlympicI.jpg


Volleyball Stadium:

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Skyscrapers%20and%20Modern%20Architecture/PalaionPhaleronPosseidonosOlympicIn.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Skyscrapers%20and%20Modern%20Architecture/PalaionPhaleronVolleyballStadiumand.jpg


-Palaion Phaleron Indoor Stadium (Palaion Phaleron or Faliron is the name of the suburb where it is located). This is a possible candidate for the next Athens Convention centre, with a seating capoacity of 7000. Its last use was as an ice-skating rink for the performance of Chaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" (for some reason, many on-ice performances are based on this piece of music).

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Skyscrapers%20and%20Modern%20Architecture/PalaionPhaleronIndoorStadium3.jpg

Truly a fine location for a centre of this type, with its location by the sea and served by two tram lines.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Skyscrapers%20and%20Modern%20Architecture/PalaionPhaleronIndoorStadium2.jpg

Detail

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Skyscrapers%20and%20Modern%20Architecture/PalaionPhaleronIndoorStadium1-800x.jpg

Next to the junction and the Stadium, new construction involving a moderate sized business and shopping centre by Babis Vovos International construction takes place. This is a picture from last summer:

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Skyscrapers%20and%20Modern%20Architecture/BabisVovosPalaionPhaleronComplexCon.jpg

The complex will be comprised of two twin 5-storey buildings and a small shopping and entertainment center. It will have 1000 parking spaces, 13,500 square metres gross leasable area (which means that the total will be somewhere around 20k, even more… . Not quite big but it will house the newest multiplex by the Aussie entertainment giant Village Roadshow, the first in the southern-coastal suburbs with 9 screens, as well as a Media Markt electronics store from the German Company wioth the same name.


-Next pictures are taken last December on the 29th… Like I said, not big but elegant…

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Skyscrapers%20and%20Modern%20Architecture/BabisVovosPalaionPhaleronComplex-sm.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Skyscrapers%20and%20Modern%20Architecture/BabisVovosPalaionPhaleronComplex2-s.jpg

-Tram Station next to the complex

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Skyscrapers%20and%20Modern%20Architecture/BabisVovosPalaionPhaleronComplexTra.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Skyscrapers%20and%20Modern%20Architecture/BabisVovosPalaionPhaleron1ComplexBl.jpg

Detail, including part of the indoor stadium:

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Skyscrapers%20and%20Modern%20Architecture/PalaionPhaleronComposition.jpg


Also, as a bonus I present you with other goodies in the vicinity of this place:

-Little church like it would look in a Greek island…

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Skyscrapers%20and%20Modern%20Architecture/PalaionPhaleronChurch800x.jpg


…but it is located right bext to the end of the junction, opposite this picture :eek2: :

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Skyscrapers%20and%20Modern%20Architecture/PalaionPhaleronbPosseidonosAvenue.jpg

From the Esplanade looking to the area previously used as a horse race track, now waiting for the developer to be chosen via competition. The strange building to the right of the pic is the Onasseion Cardiac Surgery Centre (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=170344) (click)

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Skyscrapers%20and%20Modern%20Architecture/PalaionPhaleronHippodrome.jpg

And a distance shot of the Acropolis from the Esplanade. Too bad the yellow crane spoils ( ? ) an otherwise very nice view…


http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Skyscrapers%20and%20Modern%20Architecture/TheAcropolisviewfromtheEsplanade.jpg

…and needless to say, wait for more as the story develops…

very nice pictures. I lived in Athens for about year and few months. I was wondering what happened to the old airport in Athens. :)

Actually this is not the site of the old airport, this is located some 2-3 kilomrtres to the west... The site of the old airport will see a different type of development, including the construction of a Formula-1 track under discussion... :)

Re Gregory!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You're killing me man!!!


As you know, I live 5 minutes east of the Syngrou / Poseidonas junction (in coastal Moschato). Every day I drove past that construction site in the summer I wondered what they could be building! Well, thanks to you, now I know!

Your work is incredible! Thanks for your effort in taking these pics....once again I have become nostalgic for my home!

Ναι σαι καλά παλιόφιλε gm , με τις φωτογραφίες σου νομίζω πως η Αθήνα πάντα αναπνέει !!! :cheers: Υπέροχες !!!

Υ.Σ. Λοιπόν θα ζητήσω μια χάρη μιας και κυκλοφορείς με τη φωτογραφική κάποιες φορές ,αν τύχει και βρεθείς στο κέντρο , αν μπορείς να βγάλεις κάποιες φωτογραφίες από την πεζοδρομημένη ερμού (μετά το θησείο ) και την περιοχή του κεραμικού!! :)

Υ.Γ.-2 Στην πρώτη φωτογραφία αυτό που φαίνεται στο βάθος μήπως είναι το Αβέρωφ??

Thanx gm! I live in P. Faliro and I was ready to go and take pics of my own of the new constructions in Delta Falirou. I pass everyday from all that part of the coastline and I always wanted to start a thread about it. So far I know that in that place there is gonna be an entertainment center with shops and movie theaters by "Village Cinemas" and most likely a "Media Markt" like the one in Kifissias. It's sad that this nice building is no taller. Besides the fact that in P. Faliro most buildings are 8 stories tall, I believe that in this particular area they had a lisence to build highrises from years ago when they wanted to build a Casino and some hotels. I'm not sure though. IMO Delta Falirou would be the perfect place for highrises but everytime I say to someone how nice scysrapers would be in Athens they look at my as if was the Antichrist!:bleep: But I think of it this way: Eventually either they like it or not Athens will start having scyscrapers and at that time they will look great, new and modern unlike the older ones in other cities. That's the bright side of it!:tiasd:

Great! I loved these pics. I never see these areas of Athens nor do I see the developments!

:applause:

Sometimes I think Belgrade has a lot of arenas, stadiums and other types of sporting venues...but then I look at Athens, and realize how little we have invested in our sport over the last decade or two:(

Great transport network too, with all those new tram & suburban lines:yes:

This summer, I must try to pay a visit to Greece this summer:cheers:

KM, as you know Athens had an Olympics so it's no surprise mate.

GM, as usual you provide us gold in this forum.

The Esplanade is beautiful.

Thanks for your words guys.

@ Skaros: I do what I can dear friend, like you with the excellent thrads about Patra and the churches of Greece. And yes, the ship which is docked in the area of Trikadero on Palaion Phaleron is the heroic Battleship "Averov" although a few times I have seen other warships next to it too... The Hellenic Navy pays much attention to the preservation of this ship, but I don't know whether one may visit it outside the Navy Week. On your other claim, I am afraid it will take me some time to go downtown as a) I will have work to do over the weekend and b) the weather is very bad for taking good quality pics. Sorry :(

@ Alemo: You are welcome to contribute with your own stuff, actually it took me some time to take these pics, the first bunch were taken in October and the ones with the Babis Vovos complex were taken on 29/12/2005 as written in the opening post of this thread. So, nobody is bothering you to add your pics and info :)

True, I know of a licence to build something above 40m that was specific to the area sinnce 1978 or something. The area belongs to the "Rizarion School" (Ριζάριος Σχολή ) but I don't know the exact details.

Now as to whether something tall could be built in there, I am sure that the Babis Vovos (http://www.babisvovos.gr) company might build something taller if they could, but they obviously preferred the safe road to avoid endless legal battles. I have to remind you that BV constitutes the "Red Flag" for many community NIMBY (Not in My Back Yard) groups, although others may have done worse, so he is cautious. Now I know and I agree to most of the critiques against the designs of his buildings, but that's another story we won't discuss here...

...and we won't do it, because if you want to see what was to happen with the so-called Phaliron Delta, I urge everybody to re-read my Athens Skyscrapers thread (http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=216281&page=1&pp=20) and be patient over the slow and unreliable download of the pics from "Pathfinder" since towards the end of the main opening post, you may read and get angry over the following with regards to what is hidden from us because it was planned over the military junda years (1967-1974), in the context of a biased and stupid censorship, as if by admitting that the junda was planning something like that or even worse, if we were to admit that something like that would be better than nothing (because from the 1970's to the Olympics there was really nothing there - πρόβατα έβοσκαν αλλά άσε μη γίνουμε τελείως ρεζίλι ), it would -according to the then dominant ideology - look like legitimising the motives of this military coup, as if democracy has to do with the low heights of buildings :lol:.

I mean, take a look in the excerpt below from the main Athens Skyscrapers thread about how the area would look from the mid 1970's, compare it to what we know was happening until the beginning of the milennium, put your hands on your hearts and give me your replies:


Picture sources (may be accessible in the libraries of architecture schools around the country and/ or in specialised sections of bookstores like Papasotiriou or Eleftheroudakis):

-Architektonika Themata (Αρχιτεκτονικά Θέματα ) Architecture in Greece Annual Review, Vol. 1972/6

-Architektonika Themata (Αρχιτεκτονικά Θέματα ) Architecture in Greece Annual Review, Vol. 1974/11

…a long time ago in a Galaxy far, far away…

…there was a city that was lucky enough to have people with visions and unlucky that these visions came in the wrong place and in the wrong time as these plans were envisaged by people working for or being entrusted by the then oppressive regime in power… When a change in the ruling authority took place, the new rulers associated the plans of the previous rulers with the ultimate evils that might possibly happen to this city. One of the symbolisms of these previous rulers was the building of tall edifices to be used for accommodating state agencies of residences alike. Thus, building heights became the ultimate taboo in the Newfoundland of Democracy and all the plans for something taller that 30m became the object of contempt and public resentment. Schools and Universities started talking about "democratic", "human scale buildings" which would not be provocative with their dimensions and especially, their height. Over the years, the few opposing voices that dared to oppose this ideological and scientific fundamentalism ism have been isolated and scorned when not being subjected to angry attacks.

At the same time, armies of fanatic brainwashed NIMBYs were patrolling the neighbourhoods looking for undetected "behemoths" (in Greek: "μεγαθήρια" :lol: ), the term referring to whatever was taller than 6 floors. These species of fundamentalist janissaries have been trained to develop automatic reflexes against anything constituting a novelty and going beyond their aesthetic conceptions, which were limited to what is known in Greek as "polykatoikia", i.e. "block of flats".

Trough all these years a small boy managed to save some of those designs and keep them for the eyes of the future generations to come as he knew that after the age of unreason and backward fundamentalism where judgement would be clouded by anger as to the works and deeds of the past regardless of wrongdoing, perhaps the younger generations might see things with new vision, undistorted by the hating filters of the last 30 years.

Take for instance the blasphemous scrolls containing plans about an area they used to call "The Faliron Delta" and which, although it was located in the most privileged part of town, between the city and the sea, right on the coastal avenue, it remained a dumpster until the city was given the Olympic games. Yes ladies and gentlemen, the coastline between the two "Phalerons" old and new, a 2.5km piece of seaside urban zone for which other cities WOULD DIE FOR, served by three highways, a metro line (and now a tram line too) remained a barren and unused piece of reclaimed land until the Olympics.

However, the old jedi remembers that back in the days he was just a young padawan there already plans to transform this piece of land and sea into this!!! :eek: …and remember the year is 1974…

http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22634/35748/429285/0/Phaleron+Delta++-+small800x.jpg

This is the model of the then proposed Athens Intercontinental Hotel in the Faliron Delta. Looks a bit better than the one we have now, which was built some 9 years later and which is beautiful but some 6-7 storeys shorter :D as the Mujahendin of urban flatness had already taken over…

I repeat, the year is 1974…

http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22634/35748/429295/0/Never+Built+Intercontinental+Hotel.-small800x.jpg

this is the "Four Seasons Hotel" and Casino In the Phaliron Delta. Also never built :D

http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22634/35748/429287/0/Never+built+Four+Seasons+Hotel+small800x.jpg

I repeat, the year is 1974…

This is the Holiday Inn, which was supposed to be built in the current location of "Intercontinental" Hotel being some 3 storeys taller.

http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22634/35748/429288/0/Never+built+Holiday+inn++Hotel-small800x.jpg

Now this is a tourist complex that was supposed to be built at the Varkiza bay on the greater coastal zone of Athens (for the Greeks: It is right on the straight section of the coastal highway off Varkiza).

http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22634/35748/429294/0/Never+Built+-+Tourist+complex+Varkiza-shortened+-+small+800x.jpg

So what do you say guys? Why all the above plans have been vanished and nobody knows about them, or even more inresting, about the underlying spirit behind them? Don't get me wrong, I love democracy, I hate dictatorships but first and foremost, I hate stupidity... :D So, who is the Hellenic architecture community or better put establishment afraid of ? The 90+ - aged ex-colonels now deseased or dying on their deathbeds that were in power when these plans are devised?

The ones new to this forum, you are also invited to read the whole Athens Skyscrapers thread if you have the time, and want to see the other side heard...

Αλήθεια, γιατι μας τα κρύβουν;

In a way, Im glad these didnt get approved, because there damn right ugly. But it would have helped contribute to a more prosperous and more tolerant Athens were we might today have seen a beautiful Modern Skyline in one of Athens many Metro cities.

The biggest problem with no skyscrapers is that Athens looks like its not very prosperous and that its stuck in a timewarp far from many other cities including ones that arnt even as rich (Tel Aviv, Panama City etc.)

I just hope for a change and then a BOOM of Modern Elegant Skyscrapers! :)

Great photos!!! Can't wait to see more from that area, though ;) There are some really nice neighborhoods in the vicinity.

To Giorgos: Considering the time these buildings were designed I really don't think they looked all that bad, but chances are that people would think of them as a bunch of monostrsities so maybe instead of creating a more tolerant Athens they would sort of enforce the hatred about highrises. That's just my opinion.

I must say that apart from this forum I haven't met a single Greek that thinks of a tall Athens as something positive. They think it would ruin the "historical vibe". Jesus! (τα τριτοκοσμικά, ελεεινά και τρισάθλεια κτίρια που γεμίσαμε, τα προτιμάνε δηλαδή?) I, on the other hand, always thought of tall buildings as a sign of wealthiness and progress and always admired them. I really don't know why they prefer this chaos of 5 stories ugly buildings to an organized, fully developed city with beautiful scyscrapers. Who the hell brain washed this nation and made them think that high buildings are ugly or "undemocratic". What the hell is this non sense?

Gm thanx for the information, I have read most of the info on your thread about scyscrapers. I think I've told you before that I really think you should publish in a magazine or sth all this information you have accumulated. It shouldn't be very difficult. You've done some excelent work and everybody gives you credit for that. BTW wasn't it Souflias who said sth like that the law (about buildings) is old and should be renewed? Have you heard anything new about that?

Thats such a stupid Mentality that most Greeks have. I hope someone in the media brings it to there attention. Its turning into abit of a Rizili actually.

']Thats such a stupid Mentality that most Greeks have. I hope someone in the media brings it to there attention. Its turning into abit of a Rizili actually. Αυτή η ευρύτερη νοοτροπία είναι που μας κατατάσει 23ους στους 25 της ΕΕ (συμπεριλαμβανομένων και των νέων κρατών του Ανατολικού μπλόκ ) όσον αφορά στις καινοτομίες. Να και το άρθρο που μας κάνει ρεζίλι: http://www.in.gr/news/article.asp?lngEntityID=676343&lngDtrID=252

Τι να πω?? Αίσχος!

http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22634/35748/429285/0/Phaleron+Delta++-+small800x.jpg

http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22634/35748/429295/0/Never+Built+Intercontinental+Hotel.-small800x.jpg

http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22634/35748/429287/0/Never+built+Four+Seasons+Hotel+small800x.jpg

http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22634/35748/429288/0/Never+built+Holiday+inn++Hotel-small800x.jpg

http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22634/35748/429294/0/Never+Built+-+Tourist+complex+Varkiza-shortened+-+small+800x.jpg
Ugly as hell.

Gm åëðßæù íá ìçí èß÷ôçêåò, üðùò êáôÜëáâåò äåí ìïõ áñÝóïõí êáèüëïõ ôá Üíùèåí ïéêïäïìÞìáôá.

^^ I agree but we should put those designs into the context of the time period from whence they emerged, which is pretty staggering considering.

It's what they symbolize. The large scale planning of an entire zone with modern (or what was then) architecture, in Greece?

The Designs are quite Commie. Theres Much better thats been produced in the 70's. Look at other cities. So I dont think time period is an excuse.

Nevertheless, even the new building of vovos is nothing much. It looks like student halls in the uk...

@ Tzinos: :lol: Sostos!!!

Anyway,

Guys, I read carefully all your comments and allow me to add mine:

1. I personally don't believe that at that time (early 70's), a similar development in any other area around the globe would have yielded much better results if the planners were to be inclined towards highrise developments. The then dominant brutalist-modernistic styles would not allow much deviation from the above designs. I also personally like these particular designs they are less boxy than other developments in other cities during the same period. For example, I wouldn't say that the Miami Beach hotels are architectural wonders, on the contary, their designs -mid 50's - mid 70's most of them, look paleolithic in comparison to the above - my view. However, it is the overall landscaping, the layout and the setting that makes them look grand. Also consider Las Vegas which in my view is the epitome of kitch but -what a surprise, this architecture functions for the purpose that these buildings weer built (I mean the Vegas ones).

2. Even in the case that the above plans in the Phaleron Delta were agreed upon and executed, now we might have been talking about a total renovation in light of the 2004 Olympics so chances are that even if we had regretted the fact that a development like that took place, probably these buildings would not look the same at all after 2004 and whatever mistakes in design and layout might have already been undone.

3. But this is not the cream of the story and I need your attention in here, as to the core of my philosophy: Let say okay I accept that the above plans were too brutalistic in style. I want to ask you: what was the alternative to the development that was proposed back then? Other cities might have been begging on their knees to have such a waterfront. I cannot imagine the amount of casinos, hotels, marinas, shopping centres and entertainment parks, whatever, that might have been built there had this been the waterfront in ANY other European of North American ir Australian or even, Middle Eastern city. What have we done instead?


NOTHING!!!

Do not forget:

We are not comparing the above development with an alternative one that took place in its place. We compare this to the NOTHING that was there until recently. Now, of course I like the marinas, the tram lines, the stadiums and the future developments. But think:

For 30 bloody years we did nothing and it was because of the Olympics that we see these incomplete developments and it is the year 2006 and we still wait for the tender from the state for offers by the developers.

Well my friends, what I am against is not any of you who may disagree with me. My enemy is THE NOTHING (1). After all, I am not for the construction of tall buildings in the coastal front, only inland. However, I must make the statement that OF COURSE I WOULD PREFER THE ABOVE DEVELOPMENTS instead of 30years of NOTHING.

_______________________________________________________________

In Greek: Και μιλάμε παιδιά για μια ΑΘΛΙΟΤΗΤΑ με μπάζα (Αθάνατη "άλλη" Ελλάδα ... :(), ακαθαρσίες, πρεζόνια να τρυπιούνται, βοσκοί να βόσκουν πρόβατα!!!, αλλά ΚΑΝΕΝΑΣ από τους περίεργους "περίοικους" οι οποίοι θα έσκιζαν τα ιμάτια τους αν κάποιος πήγαινε να χτίσει κατι άλλο σαν κι' αυτό που είδαμε πιό πάνω δεν ενοχλείτο. Για αυτούς, το θέαμα της μπαζωμένης παραλίας με τα πρεζόνια και τα σκουπίδια ηταν προφανώς πιό οικείο από τις εικόνες που παρέθεσα πιό πάνω.

Και σκεφτείτε και το άλλο... Ενώ μιλάμε για σχέδια που εχουν γίνει τον καιρό που πολλοί από εμάς είμασταν αγέννητοι και που δεν θα γίνουν, μας έχει τόσο πολύ διαποτίσει τόσο πολύ αυτο το dominant ideology του ΤΙΠΟΤΑ που καθόμαστε και σχολιάζουμε τα σχέδια, ακόμα και με τα σημερινά δεδομένα και δεν καθόμαστε να σκεφτούμε ότι επί 30 χρόνια αυτο το μέρος (όπως και πολλά άλλα πρό Ολυμπιακών ) δεν είχε ΤΙΠΟΤΑ. Ε απλά προτιμώ ένα κάποιο κάτι από το ΤΙΠΟΤΑ.

Πως γίνεται και για ότι καλό πάει να γίνει σε αυτή τη χώρα και μιλώ όχι μόνο για εμπορικά κέντρα αλλά για μουσεία, γραφεία, δημόσια έργα, λιμάνια, αεροδρόμια, πρέπει να βρεθούν ότι ΟΛΑ μα ΟΛΑ είναι εκτός νόμου, ενοχλούν τους περιοίκους, παρεμβαίνει το Συμβούλιο της Επικρατείας και λες τι διάολο, είτε οι νόμοι είναι λάθος ή το ξερό μας το κεφάλι φταίει. Αλλά αυτά συμβαίνουν μόνο για τα μεγάλα και τα σπουδαία. Για τα "συγκροτηματα κατοικιών" παλιά τα λέγαμε πολυκατοικίες, εκεί, τίποτα δεν τα σταματά. Για όλα τα άλλα υπάρχει μόνο κάτι, ειτε δεν είναι εντός σχεδίου, είτε έχουν υπερβάσεις, είτε, είτε, είτε...

Για σκεφτείτε το...

Τεσπα, και όπως πάει να γίνει τώρα καλά είναι αλλά και ένα λεπτό και ψηλό ξενοδοχείο με καμμιά μαρίνα δίπλα του δεν θα με χάλαγε. :D...

_______________________________________________________________

(1) I Suggest you find an old movie on DVD or HS called "The Neverending Story", to see what THE NOTHING really is...

In any case, to lighten up a bit, here is the current situation, one might even dare to say that it was worth the wait.

Photos by N. Daniilidis (http://www.daniilidis.gr/contact.php?LANG=gr) (click on link for the rest of his pics, interesting... :))


http://www.daniilidis.gr/main/olympic/images/faliro2_090604.jpg http://www.daniilidis.gr/main/olympic/images/faliro_090604.jpg

http://www.daniilidis.gr/main/olympic/images/500_51.jpg http://www.daniilidis.gr/main/olympic/images/beachvollei_090604.jpg

http://www.daniilidis.gr/main/olympic/images/54192.jpg http://www.daniilidis.gr/main/olympic/images/taekwondo_090604.jpg

http://www.daniilidis.gr/main/olympic/images/190304_30717.jpg

Exis Dikio GM,

Signomi gia ta lathi

Kai bebaia anaferesai mono se ena mikro (kai safos pio urban) meros tou paraliakou metopou (sto opoio i Athina eixe peismatika gia xronia gyrismeni tin plati !). Olokliri i paraliaki me ola ta Notia proastia kai i ekdromi mexri kai to Sounio (opote kai to landscape allazei) sunistoun to APOLYTO atou tis Athinas. Pou omos APORO KI EGO tosa xronia den eixe problithei katholou. Egine isos me tous Olympiakous (logo kapoion sports), to kalokairi tha exoume agona taxyploon, tha arxisei siga siga na anakalyptei o average eyropaios oti i athina exei paralies (kapou - kai pantos prosfata, mesa sto 2005 - eixa diabasei mia statistiki opou mexri ki ena 60% ton toyriston pou episkeptontai tin Athina, agnooousan oti exei paralies - akoma kai META tin episkepsi tous). Na thymiso ta sxedia (pro kitrinon kai portokali karton) gia xylina decks kai fiord kai marines ki estiatoria sto faliriko delta. Telika egine i Espanada pou arage tin xrisimopoiei kaneis (os xoro peripatou) i' rimazei mesa sti bromia ? Kai mas exoun meinei mono ta aythaireta clubs kai oi trampoukoi parkadoroi tous (kai pantos oxi eykola prosbasima meri anapsyxis gia OLH tin oikogeneia).
Kai mesa se olo ayto to aytosabbotage (ti paradoxo ! Poses fores na leme pos liges poleis kai poso mallon eyropaikes proteyouses einai proikismenes me tetoio thalassio metopo !) exoume kai grande sxedia gia opera ala Sydney !!!!!!!!

Oso Athina einai i asximia tis polukatoikias pou areskontai na probaloun oi aspondoi filoi allo toso Athina einai kai i paraliaki, to apisteyto MPLE tis thalassas (ki oxi to kafe styl Brighton) kai oi anoixtoi orizontes. Omos ena to proto apotelei to DEFINITION tis Athinas stis syneidiseis OLON ton xenon (kai pollon apo emas) to deytero dystyxos einai agnosto gia pollous. Elpizo oxi gia poly akoma.

Bravo sou ki eyxaristoyme pou me threads san ki ayto, probaleis ayto to toso underrated prosopo tis Athinas.

Katse ki' exo ki' alla. Arkei na organoso to yliko moy prota.

Exeis dikio gia thn Paraliaki apo Phaliro Mexri Sounio. Entiposi moy kanei ki' emena pos den thn axiopoihsame.. Alla kai pali, eftyxos giati me ta miala poy eixame mexri prosfata h axiopoihsh tha simane na tin pnixoume sto beton... :(

hey mark it's true that Athens has lots of sporting facilities but Belgrade has always had loads. Belgrade is one of Europe's most sporty cities- why else would Greece have won the basketball there because of the good facilities (sorry guys, modesty is not my strong point) Kudos to Belgrade though

κάνουν πουλάκια τα ματάκια μου και με απατούν οικτρά ή βλέπω πραγματικά αλάνες με αγριοχορτα δίπλα στην esplanade?


:eek2:

Κρυβε λόγια μάγκα μου, κρύβε λόγια :lol: :runaway:

i have one question, what are they using the olympic venues for now? like the different stadiums? cause i read an article about sydney on the bbc about 6 months ago and how their olympic sports arenas were practically desserts...it'd be a shame for athens to do the same, especailly since the stadium turned out to look so cool and they spent so much money on preparing the olympics

Most of the venues are being used by local sports teams (but not all).


The Olympic Stadium for example has two football clubs playing there, Panathinaikos and AEK.

http://www.stadia.gr/2004.html

Ooooh. You inspired me. I used to work at the Onassis Cardiac Surgery Centre (Onasseio) and I was always amazed by this strange, harmonius yet almost out of place building (which mind you was designed on ancient greek architectural elements). It also had the best 360 degree view of Athens, with the Acropolis one side and the coast and ippodromo on the other.

"The Onassis Foundation has constructed and equipped one of the most modern and state of the art institutions of its kind internationally, on a 8,000 sq.m. plot of land on Syngrou Avenue . The Onassis Cardiac Surgery Centre is among the most important public benefit projects of the Onassis Foundation. Its cost at the time was more than $75,000,000 and it was donated, fully operational, to the Greek State during an official ceremony held on October 6 th, 1992 . The building was designed by the English architects Llewelyn-Davies Weeks specializing in healthcare architecture, in collaboration with the Greek architectural office of K. Kapsambelis and K. Stamatis. Following an international call for the highest bidder, the contract for the construction of the Cardiac Surgery Centre was awarded to Ioannou & Paraskevaides Construction Company (Overseas) Ltd.

The Onassis Cardiac Surgery Centre has a basement, a ground floor and eight floors arranged around a 21.360 sq.m central atrium, including an underground garage. The building is air-conditioned and it currently has 127 beds: 53 Cardiothoracic Surgery, 51 Cardiology and 23 Pediatric Cardiothoracic beds. It also has Intensive Care Units, Intermediate Care Unit, Coronary Intensive Care Unit, Cardiovascular Laboratories, Pediatric Cardiothoracic Care Unit, Cardiothoracic Care Unit, Cardiology Care Unit and an Electrophysical and Pacemaker laboratory. In addition, it has outpatient departments, clinical laboratories and diagnostic departments.

The building was designed on a revolutionary concept: All of the most vital operational units are concentrated in a single floor. This arrangement, which does not exist in any of the well-known Cardiac Surgery Centres around the world offers patients the possibility for a speedier and more effective treatment and recovery"


http://www.griechische-botschaft.de/img/grinfo/Onaseio1.jpg
http://www.onassis.gr/com_images/cardiac_3.gif
http://www.onassis.gr/com_images/cardiac_4.gif

Those buildings may look ugly to us now, but if it was 1974 we'd be saying otherwise.
That could have been the start to something big.
Think its been 31 years since they were proposed.
Imagine what real high rise developments could have occured in that vicinity, and probably throughout Athens by now.

Heh, It doesn't look ugly to me :D

Today I have been on this site again and here is my update:

Construction of the buildings is progressing and by the end of the year (probably in the middle of the fall 2006) this complex will be fully habitable.

As you can see, comparing the images between December 2005 and now, behind the two buildings, the new shopping and entertainment centre is almost ready, with the main anchor store being the German Media Markt electronics store.

As mentioned earlier, this complex is built by the Babis Vovos International Constructions SA who are mainly active in the Northern suburbs. In the shopping centre there will also be a multiplex, with 9- if I recall correctly- cinema theatres, the first in the coastal zone and the southern suburbs.

Pictures:

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Skyscrapers%20and%20Modern%20Architecture%202/BabisVovosPalaionPhaleronComplex-1.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Skyscrapers%20and%20Modern%20Architecture%202/BabisVovosPalaionPhaleronComplex6-s.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Skyscrapers%20and%20Modern%20Architecture%202/BabisVovosPalaionPhaleronComplex5-s.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Skyscrapers%20and%20Modern%20Architecture%202/BabisVovosPalaionPhaleronComplex7-s.jpg

Glad to see more progress on this spot. We also need to mention that the nearby Athens Congress and Convention Centre is under re-construction too, following a competition and tender by the "Olympic Properties" real estate company, since it was the former Taekwondo stadium during the Olympic games... :)

Seems to be progressing nicely. Thanks for the pictures. I really like the look of the buildings.


We also need to mention that the nearby Athens Congress and Convention Centre is under re-construction too, following a competition and tender by the "Olympic Properties" real estate company, since it was the former Taekwondo stadium during the Olympic games...

What kind of re-construction? Keep us updated on it gm. :)

Although the Taekwondo indoor stadium has already been used as a convention centre, yet it needed some serious work to fully assume this new role. There has been a tender for a competition, bids have been submitted and now we are either at the final selection stage, or the selection has already been made and works are imminent. If anybody knows more, please, fill us in...

Να κάνω μια ερώτηση Γρηγόρη?
Σε αφήσαν να βγάλεις φωτογραφίες ή δεν ήταν κανείς εκεί?
Γιατί εγώ όταν πήγα, με το που έβγαλα τη μηχανή μ' έδιωξαν κατευθείαν :cry: (τώρα που το σκέφτομαι έβγαλα και τρίποδο )

Για να μην αρχίσω βέβαια να λέω σε πόσα μέρη υπάρχει αυτή η αντιμετώπιση όταν δουν μηχανές (λες και φωτογραφίζεις ρε παιδί μου μυστικές εγκαταστάσεις απεμπλουτισμού ουρανίου ) :D

Anyway, πολύ ωραιές οι φωτογραφίες και η περιοχή εκεί έχει διαμορφωθεί τέλεια!
Ειδικά το βράδυ που τα κτίρια αυτά φωτίζονται μπλέ...είναι το κάτι άλλο!

Κατ' αρχήν τις φωτογραφίες τις έβγαλα από την απέναντι πλευρά του δρόμου. Μήπως πήγες να περάσεις μέσα στο οικόπεδο τους;

Δεύτερον, τις έβγαλα χθές Κυριακή 10/9/2006 κατα το "μεσημεράκι". Δεν γνωρίζω τι θα γινόταν αν πήγαινα καθημερινή αλλά λογικά τις Κυριακές είναι εύκολο να σε εντοπίσουν αν -υποτίθεται- ότι ενοχλείς με το να φωτογραφίζεις.

Η υπόθεση του παραλογισμού με τις φωτογραφίες -και σιγά τα κτίρια στο φινάλε-, είναι απόρροια του εγγενούς παραλογισμού που ακολούθησε την 11η Σεπτεμβρίου, του παραλογισμού των ίδιων των φυλάκων που φοβούνται και τη σκιά τους μην απολυθούν, σου λέει μία στο εκατομμύριο μην "μου τύχει τίποτα". Και τι μπορεί να γίνει γίνει βρε παιδιά για πέστε μου; θα... ρίξουν αεροπλάνο πάνω στα κτιριάκια των 5 ορόφων ή θα τα καταλάβουν... σουπερκομμάντος για το σκοπό της απόσπασης λύτρων ή με βάση άλλα κινηματογραφικά σενάρια :lol: )

Για να μη μιλήσουμε και για τον ίδιο τον παραλογισμό των κατασκευαστών οι οποίοι δίνουν ίσως εν πολλοίς ανεφάρμοστες εντολές. Δεν νομίζω να είναι δυνατόν να αποτρέψεις πλήρως κάποιον να πάρει φωτογραφίες κτίρια που βρίσκονται σε δημόσια θέα, στο κάτω-κάτω χάρη κάνεις στους κατασκευαστές, εφόσον οι φωτογραφίες σου και μου και μας, είναι πολλές φορές πολύ καλύτερες από αυτές που βγάζουν οι επαγγελματίες φωτογράφοι τους.

Πάντως το φαινόμενο των "jumpy" φυλάκων δεν είναι μόνο αποκλειστικότητα των τελειωμένων κτιρίων. Να σας αναφέρω, και να γελάσετε, το ότι χτες επίσης δεν με άφησε ο φύλακας να πάρω φωτογραφία τον άδειο χώρο του πρώην εργοστασίου των λιπασμάτων της Δραπετσώνας που ΘΑ χτιστεί ένα συγκρότημα και τώρα είναι μια χέρσα περιοχή με χαλάσματα;

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

Εννοείται πως δεν φταίει ο ίδιος ο φύλακας, εργαζόμενος είναι κι' αυτός, ποιός ξέρει τι παραλογισμό έχει βιώσει εκεί πέρα από τους "ανωτέρους" του

Βασικά ήμουν απ΄την πλευρά του Κλειστού του Φαλήρου και πιθανώς ο φύλακας να ήταν των Ολυμπιακών εγκαταστάσεων...
(Τρομάρα τους...αυτό θεωρούν μεταολυμπιακή αξιοποίηση?
Να βάλουν ένα φρουρό να κρατάει τον κόσμο μακρυά από έργα που όλοι μας πληρώσαμε )
Πάντως σε καμία περίπτωση δεν μπήκα στο οικόπεδό τους...στο πεζοδρόμιο ήμουν.

Τέλος πάντων, έχεις καμία ιδέα αν είναι ανοιχτή η Εσπλανάδα ή κι αυτή θεωρείται ολυμπιακή εγκατάσταση που δεν πρέπει να "μολυνθεί" από την παρουσία κόσμου?(απίθανο βέβαια το κόβω γιατί όσες φορές περνάω απο κάτω πάντα έρημη είναι ) :doh:

Η είσοδος στην Εσπλανάδα είναι ελεύθερη. θα συμβούλευα να πας από την πλευρά του Ιπποδρόμου, πρωί για να το απολάυσεις (την εγκατάλειψη εννοώ ). Πάντως το στάδιο του Ταεκβοντό θα γίνει συνεδριακό κέντρο, με βοηθητικές τις παρακείμενες εγκαταστάσεις. Δεν γνωρίζω το πότε αλλά οι εργασιες θα αρχίσουν σύντομα. Για την εσπλανάδα δεν ξέρω, είναι μεγάλο το οικόπεδο. Βέβαια πάτι σαν θεματικό πάρκο με ακουάριο και πολύ πράσινο δε θα με χάλαγε... Αν και, σε άλλη χώρα θα κότσαραν ενα 40 ορόφων Marriott για να είναι και δίπλα στο συνεδριακό κέντρο και θα τελείωνε η υπόθεση... λέμε τωρα...

Αν και δε θα είμουν ενθουσιωδώς υπέρ μιας τέτοιας λυσης (κοψιμο θέας προς παραλία ), εν τούτοις αν την ανακοίνωναν δεν θα διαδήλωνα εναντίον της if you know what I mean... :D

Πολύ ωραίες φωτογραφίες Γρηγόρη :okay:

Υπάρχουν κάποιες απογευματινές / βραδινές φωτογραφίες από το συγκρότημα, τραβηγμένες πριν κάνα 1-1,5 μήνα. Θα τις ανεβάσω αργότερα.

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/2152/p7150001fix2qe3.jpg

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/7857/p7150002fix3vc6.jpg

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/9418/p7150003fix4qm9.jpg

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/9918/p7150005fix5uk6.jpg

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/8307/p7150006fix6ae1.jpg

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/5007/p7150023fix7wn7.jpg

Όλες οι φωτογραφίες είναι από των Βασίλης (www.myphone.gr)

και γιατί η τελευταία φωτογραφία είναι τόσο ωραία......

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/6815/p7150023fix7wn7wx8.jpg

Μπράβο ρε Σάββα, όντως λίγο αντίθεση στους τόνους την ήθελε....