Kifissia, the undoubted centre of Athens′ northern suburbs is the city′s main upper-class district known for its elegant mansions, extensive parks, foreign schools, gastronomy scene and relaxed lifestyle.
Heading north from Athens Centre along Kifissias Avenue, we encounter a series of affluent districts each one with its own distinctive identity.
Psychiko and Filothei suburbs developed during the 1920s for the Athenian aristocracy of the time have been influenced by the architectural style of English garden cities. No wonder why many of the streets here are named after flowers. Besides hosting a significant number of foreign embassies they are also known for their elite private schools: Arsakeio Tositseio School, Moraitis School and Athens College.
Further north Kifisia, Kastri, Kefalari, Ekali, Dionysos and Politia are all idyllic districts developed amongst vast city parks that one feels being in the mountains. As they are slightly elevated from the sea level and in close proximity to the countryside the air is much cleaner and cooler. Their centres are buzzing around vibrant cafes, elegant restaurants and sophisticated boutique shopping malls.
Goulandris Natural History Museum founded in 1964 and villa Kazouli are two of Kifissia’s landmarks housed in imposing neoclassical building. Kifissia’s Park, a unique space that was created in 1885 and features sky-tall trees, wonderful design, a café and playground.
For passionate tennis players, two of Greece’s elite private clubs are based in the northern suburbs. Ekali club and Tatoi club that offers a variety of wellness services and top-class restaurants to their members.
above a quiet street in kifisia, where the plane trees and aleppo pines have grown tall, a second-floor apartment of 125 sqm sits level with the upper branches, its long balcony laid in alter nating squares of dark and white marble. the building stands among tile-roofed houses set back behind garden walls.
the entrance opens into a single reception room that runs the full depth of the floor, dining area at one end under a brass and crystal chandelier, sitting room at the other. a fireplace with a steel surround anchors the far wall; beside it, a run of fitted shelving. carved walnut chairs with blue velvet seats, layered rugs in rose and ochre, a deep sofa — the room holds the warmth of the accumulated furniture with the ease of a space that has been lived in rather than arranged.
in the morning, before the city stirs, the air off the trees comes in cool through the open door.
the balcony runs the width of the reception room. a small iron-framed table sits near the rail, the plane trees close enough to touch. potted bougainvillea and philodendron line the balustrade.
the kitchen is fitted in pale grey cabinetry with white worktops and a central island. two polished steel pendant lights hang above the island. a window above the sink looks into the trees, and a rug adds a touch of colour to the space.
there are two bedrooms, the main bedroom has dark textured wallpaper and walnut floors. the window opens into a canopy that shades the balcony. a bathroom and a guest bathroom serve both rooms. a third room off the entrance hall can be utilised as a study.
the building has a private storage room and one parking space at ground level.
