athens centre is a vibrant hub of history, archaeology and urban vibes. stroll around its scenic cobbled streets, smart boutique-lined avenues and cosy piazzas to discover a city that moves to a modern beat coloured by unique traditions.
if you really want to get to the heart of athens, scale the ancient citadel of the sacred acropolis and check out the urban landscape sprawling before you like concrete arteries of a throbbing city. discover secret rooftop bars buzzing with unadulterated energy like colour locale in monastiraki or step into one of the world’s leading ‘best bars’ and an athenian favourite for a deftly made cocktail at the clumsies. gastronomy is taken very seriously in athens, with hip places like funky gourmet sporting its shiny michelin status and classy restaurants like spondi setting the standard for fine cuisine. of course, there is the deluxe grande bretagne hotel if you want to stop for afternoon tea in its winter gardens, where the line-up of famous guests has included elizabeth taylor, sophia loren, maria callas and brigitte bardot, not to mention sean connery, francis ford coppola, david bowie and jay-z.
the modern athenian is in love with every part of this city’s past yet embraces the modern vibes of the new with vigour.
shopping is a blissful pursuit with ermou street catering to fashion-conscious shopaholics, whilst a walk up to voukourestiou street is true soul therapy for those who want to add to their collection of louis vuitton bags. then head for up-town kolonaki, the place to see and be seen while sipping on the newest ‘boutique’ coffee blends. check out the spectacular remains of the hellenic past, testimonies to the ottoman occupation and old byzantine churches, all nestled amongst elegant 19th century neo-classical buildings and designer stores.
the modern athenian is in love with every part of this city’s past yet embraces the modern vibes of the new with vigour. colourful street art, gastro eateries, trendy bars and a feeling of living in the moment make this a destination which continues to be an all-time classic.
vasileios tsagris was among the foremost figures of athenian architecture — the architect who carried greek design from eclecticism toward the modern movement. one of his celebrated works of that period rises at the city’s most prestigious address. a 1935 landmark in the pedestrian zone of voukourestiou, it is distinguished by its signature oriel windows — the erkers — and the generous proportions of the era. on the third floor, elan occupies the entire corner: a rare residence at the very heart of athens.
inside, a meticulous renovation, more than two years in the making, reimagined the apartment in the parisian haussmannian tradition: full-height boiserie, fine plasterwork and a calm sense of order, enriched with the geometry and polish of art déco. ceilings rise to three metres, giving every room a quality of air and height that belongs to the period. the mood comes from the materials themselves and the way they meet: dark oak panelling against pale moulded plaster, deep-veined nero marquina marble against warm parquet, bronze and brass catching the light, mirror opening depth where the walls would otherwise close.
three-metre ceilings, full-height boiserie and hand-forged bronze: parisian haussmannian calm with art déco polish.
these are textures made to be touched and lived with — oak underfoot and marble cool to the touch, velvet and silk softening the harder surfaces, the quiet sheen of lacquer and patinated bronze. the sculptural furniture and the sitting-room fireplace are hand-forged from the same dark bronze, a thread of craftsmanship running through the apartment. the palette holds to a disciplined monochrome of black, white, oak and stone, warmed in moments by a single note of colour. every surface is quiet and considered, the craftsmanship evident in the joins.
light and silence are the twin gifts of the residence. from the third floor, the two oriels and more than forty metres of balconies sit within the leafy canopy of the street trees; just below runs the high-end pedestrian stretch of voukourestiou — some three hundred metres of flagship names, shaded and green, the most coveted promenade in the city. a near-continuous run of french doors and windows draws daylight deep into every room, while twin sets of double-glazed windows and doors seal the apartment into complete quiet — true stillness at the very centre of the capital.
delivered fully furnished and turnkey — pieces by liaigre, hervé van der straeten and bruno moinard, with sonos audio and smart-home control throughout
the plan is composed for both gathering and retreat. the reception rooms flow into one another for entertaining, each with its own character — one pale and open, one warm and intimate — while the bedrooms withdraw into their own wing, private and serene. two generous suites, each with its own bathroom, occupy that wing — the principal served by a full mirrored walk-in dressing room — with a dedicated laundry room close at hand. the layout convert s readily to three bedrooms for those who wish.
comfort runs quietly beneath it all: underfloor heating, ducted central air-conditioning with advanced clear air filtration, and an integrated smart-home system governing climate, lighting and security, with video throughout. sonos audio plays through speakers concealed within the ceilings. the residence is delivered fully furnished and fully equipped — appointed with pieces from celebrated design houses, among them christian liaigre, hervé van der straeten, bruno moinard and the invisible collection, alongside furniture and lighting commissioned expressly for these rooms.
the property is eligible for the greek non-dom programme.
