The total impact of its operation on the Greek economy up to its first 5-year operation— with an investment of €340 million—is over €1.25 billion.
The Ilisian, inspired by the area and the facades of the building designed by the great Yiannis Moralis, is the name of the new multidimensional destination of Athens in the former Hilton Hotel, which will include hospitality, residence, restaurants, sports, and wellness areas.
The unveiling occurred in the presence of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who said: "It is not often that the regeneration of a building becomes a symbol of the upgrading of an entire area, and I dare say an entire city."
"The new destination aspires to be a meeting point and inspiration, to be a lively and cosmopolitan destination that will not only be Athenian, but a destination that will be from Ilisia for Ilisia", said Mr Achilleas Konstantakopoulos, president of TE.MES. S.A., the main shareholder of Ioniki Xenodocheiaki and the owner of the emblematic property in Vasilissis Sofia.
The new destination, which is expected to be completed at the end of 2025, after an investment of 340 million euros, will include the "Conrad" hotel, a 5-star hotel, one of the top brands of the Hilton group, will have rooms and suites with views of Athens and the Acropolis, alongside the private, luxurious branded" residences under the "Conrad'" and "Waldorf Astoria" brands.
The property will include a modern members' club, multiple choices of culinary and entertainment venues, unique shops and leisure and wellness experiences.
According to a study by the University of Piraeus on the economic impact of the investment, the total positive impact on the Greek economy from the operation of the new destination up to its first five-year operation is estimated at over 1.25 billion euros.
An ecosystem of experiences
THE ILISIAN aims to showcase contemporary Athens and further contribute to establishing the Greek capital as one of the top travel and residential choices in Europe.
Marking its destination debut in Greece, Conrad Athens will feature 278 well-appointed guest rooms and suites, each with expansive views of historical Athens, as well as a 400sq.m. mega-suite. Additionally, 18 hotel residences have been developed as Conrad Residences, as well as 37 private residences as Waldorf Astoria Residences on the upper floors of the building.
THE ILISIAN will also be home to a lifestyle members’ club, multiple culinary and entertainment venues, curated shopping, leisure, and wellness experiences, and partnerships with acclaimed local and international brands and operators.
The design is based on the principles of sustainable development, applying best international practices for energy efficiency and aiming to achieve LEED Gold certification.
The visual and architectural identity of THE ILISIAN preserves and highlights all the building's iconic elements, such as the façades by well-known artist Yannis Moralis.
The project’s lead architects are Athens-based AETER Architects. The local team also includes the structural engineers of the project: Statiki Consultants, F. Tsoulos and Associates, Helliniki Meletitiki and Retech, and MEP consultants, Skemma Engineers. Several international and local practices have undertaken the interior design of key components: AvroKO, Tristan Auer, Yabu Pushelberg, First Within, SBR studio, Mare Studio, ID-Lab and Vana Krimnioti. Eleftheria Deko & Associates and Delta-Theta are responsible for the lighting design, Simon Rackham Landscape Architects are the landscape designers, Xenex are the kitchen and laundry consultants, T&A are the audiovisual consultants, G. Schubert is responsible for the acoustics, while DCarbon are the LEED Certification consultants.
During the event, guests had the opportunity to explore the significant moments of a 60-year journey and relive personal memories. They also had the chance to experience the new destination through a series of animated art pieces designed by the internationally acclaimed stage director, choreographer and visual artist Dimitris Papaioannou, which brought to life the façade by Moralis and captured the spirit of a destination that honours its legacy and embarks on a new chapter.
Stefania Souki is a columnist for New Money. Translated by Paul Antonopoulos.
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