In the southern outskirts of Athens, along the coastline, a vast area abandoned for over two decades is coming back to life. Where aircraft once touched down, today we imagine a future of trees, community gardens, bike paths, and human-centered neighborhoods.

The Ellinikon, located on the grounds of the former international airport of the Greek capital, is one of the most ambitious and visionary urban regeneration projects in Europe. Spanning over six million square meters, it transforms a site once symbolic of twentieth-century modernity into a model city for the 21st century.

For those who look at the digital renderings or the first construction sites taking shape, this isn’t just a new neighborhood—it’s a systemic vision. An idea of a city where Nature, innovation, and human connection are at the very core.

A new way of imagining the city

The Ellinikon was born in response to complex global challenges: climate crisis, rising social inequality, and the aging of urban infrastructure.

But it doesn’t stop at building better, more energy-efficient structures. This project seeks to redefine how we design and experience urban life. It envisions widespread green spaces, inclusive public services, homes powered by renewable energy, walkable and bike-friendly streets, cultural centers, shared gardens, and vibrant community spaces where people can meet, create, and participate.

Everything is rooted in the principles of a circular and regenerative city. Recycled materials, smart energy management, efficient water use, and urban biodiversity all come together to build a resilient urban ecosystem—where living also means caring.

Inclusion, sustainability, and quality of life

At the heart of The Ellinikon lies a deeply inclusive vision. The new districts will be accessible to people with disabilities and designed to welcome families, youth, the elderly, and multicultural communities.

Technology will serve people, not surveillance. Sustainable mobility will replace car traffic. The air will be cleaner, the noise more natural, and the rhythm of daily life more grounded.

Within what will be the largest urban park ever created in Greece, there will also be room for cultural events, art installations, local markets, and educational activities. This isn’t just about living well—it’s about living in connection with what truly matters: nature, culture, art, and human relationships.

From abandonment to vision

The project is led by Lamda Development, in collaboration with an international team of architects, urban planners, ecologists, and social innovators. Partners include world-renowned studios such as Foster + Partners, Sasaki, and several Greek groups working together to reimagine the identity of Athens' southern coast.

Projections estimate tens of thousands of new residents, over 80,000 jobs created, and a social and economic impact that will extend well beyond the city limits.

More than a real estate development, The Ellinikon is a collective story of rebirth. A once-silent, inactive space is now turning into a living promise of shared futures.

In a Nutshell

The Ellinikon is a large-scale urban regeneration project unfolding in Athens, on the site of the city’s former international airport. Covering over six million square meters, it stands as one of the most important urban transformations in Europe today.

It aims to rethink city life through an ecological, inclusive, and culturally rich lens, building not just homes, but also green spaces, clean energy systems, community networks, and new ways of living together.

At the root of it all lie simple yet powerful values: care, connection, responsibility, and shared beauty. Because even a forgotten runway can become the starting point for a city that breathes, welcomes, and inspires.