The Riviera Tower is designed by British signature architect Foster & Partners and will form the centrepiece of Lamda’s proposed Elinikon development, an urban regeneration project on the site of the former Hellenikon Airport, near Athens.
The 50-storey, 200-metre-high tower will have 169 one- to five-bedroom apartments and penthouses. Its design is said to be inspired by the natural surroundings of the region.
The developer even claims that the skyscraper is more environmentally sustainable than a low-rise development:
“The Riviera Tower heralds the continued progress of the Ellinikon, as well as a new era for Greece’s built environment and economy,” said Angeliki Touziou, chief development officer with Lamda Development.
“The design of the building has been meticulously considered with sustainability and experience in mind. Taller buildings reduce surface coverage, resulting in more space for the green, open areas that the Ellinikon is committed to bring to the people of this city,” he declared.
“As we continue to hold environmental protection and energy reduction at the forefront of our goals, the Riviera Tower and the Ellinikon’s additional high-rise towers will benefit the environment through smart urban densification and accompanying green space,” added Touziou.
Construction work on the Riviera Tower began earlier this year; the building is due to be completed during phase 1 of the Ellinikon’s project, with handover expected during the first quarter of 2026. The Riviera Tower is the first residential building in the city to be pre-certified with LEED at Gold Level, adding to the city’s existing LEED Gold-certified commercial offerings.
A joint venture between Bouygues Group and Intrakat has been set up for the early building works. Tombazis & Associates has been appointed as local design consultant, alongside a design team consisting of Buro Happold, Faithful & Gould, Tekem, Deta Consulting Engineers, and Doxiadis Plus.
A joint venture of Mace and Jacobs is acting as project management consultant for the Riviera Tower.
Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk
Read More
Greece is set for its first skyscraper thanks to the design of Greek architect Pitsou Kedem. The tower, known as “Hellas Tower”, is set to be built in the port city of Piraeus, near Athens.
Hellas Tower will be a 40-story building and its design was the brainchild of Kedem, one of Greece’s most acclaimed modernist architects. The tower will include a variety of spaces including retail outlets, cinemas, public spaces for exhibitions, and a series of office spaces.
The project has been widely praised, both in Greece and internationally, for its modern yet sleek design. Kedem has taken inspiration from traditional Greek architecture and shapes, such as a semi-circle, which is visible on the facade of the building. Other features of the tower include large glass panels, vertical louvers and terraces that provide stunning views of the city and the Aegean Sea.
The tower has been described by Kedem as a “symbol of modern Greek architecture”, and is expected to make a major contribution to the Greek economy.
In addition to being the first skyscraper in Greece, Hellas Tower will also be the first to contain a water capture system. This system will capture rainwater and store it for use in the building. This is an important step towards sustainability, as the building will be able to reduce its reliance on water from municipal sources.
Construction of the tower is expected to begin in 2021 and the project is due to be completed by 2024. The Hellas Tower will stand as a testament to Greek architecture and its innovative design will be a great addition to the skyline of Piraeus.
