Protesters broke into the Syrian Embassy in the northern Athens suburb of Psychiko early Sunday
hung the Syrian opposition flag on the building and removed a photo of President Bashar al-Assad
The group included three to four individuals
two of whom left voluntarily before police intervened
Officers arrested the remaining protesters inside the building
The protest coincides with Syrian rebels declaring the end of Assad’s regime after seizing Damascus on Sunday
The collapse ends a 50-year family dynasty following 13 years of civil war
Enter your information below to receive our weekly newsletters with the latest insights
opinion pieces and current events straight to your inbox
"If you're a kid out there always strive for the impossible,"added Burke
"It is possible for anyone to achieve their goals if they believe and work hard enough
At the end of the day we all breathe the same air
share the same blood and have the same 24 hours
Taking advantage of your opportunities is what makes you unique."
Thanks for visiting
The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy
We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here
Investigations have revealed video footage of the cold-blooded assassination of civil engineer Panagiotis Stathis
who was shot Tuesday morning outside his office in the northern Athenian suburb of Neo Psychiko
Police said the killer was riding a scooter with fake number plates
CCTV footage from the area captured his route around the crime scene
and audiovisual recordings are being examined by authorities
The legal owner of the scooter has been questioned but is not considered a suspect
The investigation into the Mafia-style killing is focusing on Stathis’s professional activities on popular holiday islands
who had been conducting land survey studies on Mykonos
Paros and Ios since the late 1990s through a technical company he co-owned
was gunned down while driving his partner’s BMW outside their company’s headquarters at the corner of Kritis and Eikostis Pemptis Martiou streets
He was shot by an individual on a motorcycle who approached the car and fired through the window
Audio from the time of the shooting suggests the perpetrator fired a volley of bullets
At least 15 shell casings were discovered at the scene
Already a member? Log in
Not a member? Sign up
Explore our Food Tours →
is just a 15-minute drive from the city’s busy central Syntagma Square
the area is greener and quieter than downtown
At its heart is Plateia Eleftherias (“Freedom Square”)
cafes and restaurants – the usual for any decent Athenian plaza
People gather here from early in the morning to late at night
One of those reliably busy all-day gathering spots is O Foititis
a non-assuming family-run fish restaurant that has been loyally serving locals since 2005
when resident Andreas Sfikas decided to turn his experience running a neighborhood snack bar into something more ambitious
Andreas (who passed away in 2020) spent most of his life in Neo Psychiko
and his three children is just a block from O Foititis
and the snack bar he ran with the help of his two sons was located in an athletic center near Eleftherias Square
The Sfikas family knows everyone in the neighborhood
That’s why when Andreas first opened Foititis (pronounced “fetetes,” the name means “the student” in Greek and was the nickname of the spot’s previous owner)
he imagined it as an all-day coffee and mezze place
where the locals he knew so well could collect
Those were the years in which Greece was just striving to get over the economic crisis – everyone was trying to live within their means and make a decent living
Andreas’s vision was humble and reasonable: offer fresh fish at low prices
even in a suburb that can afford higher prices
it was rewarding to see their clients leaving happy
his wife and sons Dimitris and Panagiotis – who had been very involved with the business since day one – immediately took over
intent on continuing their father’s vision and
“We haven’t stopped working since” Panagiotis
“Covid came right after [Andreas passed away]
We made the grand decision not to close at all
which was extremely rare during the first lockdown,” he tells us
and since customers could not sit at the restaurant during the lockdown
“We didn’t know anything about delivery until then
Yet we jumped right in and started delivering food almost from day one.” Panagiotis explains
The restaurant had a rough couple of years
but they were able to work daily and managed to keep themselves creatively occupied during the long lockdowns
when restaurants were finally allowed to reopen
The square here was packed all day and night
paired with meatballs made aromatic with the addition of fresh chopped mint
The potatoes are hand-cut and freshly fried – just like a Greek mom would make at home
and Dimitris and Panagiotis do the shopping themselves every single day
They collaborate with a farmer in Marathonas (a suburb near Athens) from whom they buy 80 percent of their produce
ensuring high quality while supporting a young
The salads at O Foititis are indeed exquisite
but the best thing we tasted on our last visit was
although it’s not listed on the menu as it depends on the daily catch
each very well executed and extremely fresh
Our meal ended with a shot of lemon liqueur alongside a refreshing yogurt cheesecake with sour cherries and a lovely lemon tart
O Foititis is open all day and rarely empty
older customers come for their coffee and play backgammon until about noon
when they usually free up the tables for the lunch crowd
The tables then fill up with mostly locals who
are replaced by area moms who come in for a coffee while their kids are in the square’s playground
when the tables swell with hungry customers yet again
This article was originally published on June 3
loading map - please wait...Map could not be loaded - please enable Javascript!→ more information
and four others were injured in a traffic accident on Tuesday afternoon in Neo Psychiko
the accident occurred shortly before 2 p.m
and involved two vehicles and two motorcycles
The crash reportedly happened when a car driven by an elderly woman entered the street in the wrong direction
It then crashed into parked vehicles and two motorcycles
resulting in the fatal injury of one motorcycle rider
The fire service was called to the scene to rescue one of the injured individuals trapped in the vehicles
Change may be inevitable but it’s the last thing we want in a restaurant we cherish
We were reminded of this a few months back when by chance we were taken out to dinner at Piperiá in the Neo Psychiko neighborhood by friends who live nearby
It had been five years since we last visited the place and we were very happy to find that little had changed in the interim
What a joy it was to find the same welcoming smiles and friendly young faces; excellent but not oversolicitous service; some items on the menu that we could never resist ordering; and some new tastes that rivaled the familiar treats
Piperiá occupies a corner that provides a patio-like seating area
and few cars pass to disturb one’s dining and conversation
Returning in early November on a weekday night
we enjoyed the openness of the high-ceilinged
glass-walled dining room and the casual atmosphere: wooden chairs and tables
And then we studied the menu and tried to choose from among 32 starters
for we were torn by having to decide between dishes we knew we loved – like calamari with pesto
perch fillets wrapped in kataifi (crisp “shredded wheat” pastry)
mint-flavored keftedakia (meatballs) made with beef and pork and accompanied by a cinnamon-tomato dip – and the desire to experiment
A few days before we had met with the owner
our rendezvous took place in another restaurant he owns just a block away
very fit looking gentleman in black shirt and jeans has also opened two others
one in Anavyssos on the coast road to Sounion
the other in the eastern Attica port of Lavrio
who originally wanted to be an architect (and in fact still harbors a dream of becoming one)
only got involved in the food business after his father bought a beach resort in Glyfada
It was in the resort’s restaurant that he learned his way around a kitchen
the basic ingredient of success is the staff.”
the well-known chef Panagiotis Papanikolaou
we conceived it as a mezedopoleio [a meze restaurant]
but we quickly changed the focus to seafood and fish,” he explained
the vegetable not the spice] already existed
Yannis was pleased when we told him how happy we’d been to discover the same cheerful service and delicious dishes after a hiatus of five years
For me the basic ingredient of success is the staff
They all have to understand that we are customer-oriented – their minds have to be concentrated on the customer,” he said
some of them have been there almost since the beginning
He also emphasized the importance of maintaining some continuity in the menu: “We have some standard dishes that our regular customers have come to love and expect
a balance between simple and more complex dishes
but also some variety so people don’t get bored.”
with summer dishes being lighter and cooler
the restaurant only uses ingredients that are in season
and their fish is sourced from two reliable suppliers in Keratsini
There are a few meat dishes for carnivores and plenty of veg
The flavors are mostly Mediterranean with some Asian touches
Highlights for us were the Thai salad with mango
Chinese cabbage and mint with a lime dressing; risotto with eggplant; kouskousaki (thicker than Moroccan couscous) with seafood; sea bass marinated in lime juice and smoked salt; and bourekakia
pastry “cigars” bursting with hot feta and herbs
Yannis poked his head out from the kitchen to say hello
you have no idea what running a restaurant is like
So I’m on duty whenever our regular cook has a day off.”
we promised ourselves not to let five years go by before we revisit Piperiá
we picked it for a small family reunion just three days later
With a moderately priced menu – dishes range from around €4 to €16 (for a whole fish) – generous
artistically presented portions; four super desserts plus yogurt or ice cream; a nice house wine (and an impressive but rather pricey wine list) plus several types of ouzo
Piperiá has held its own during Greece’s prolonged depression and has even increased its popularity
Yannis’s recipe for success is obviously working
Police are focusing their investigation into the murder of 54-year-old civil engineer Panagiotis Stathis
who was gunned down on Tuesday morning outside the offices of his company in Psychiko in northern Athens
where he had been professionally active since the late 90s
Local officials tell Kathimerini that the victim
had for decades been carrying out topographical studies and drawing up plans for major investments on the island
some of which had come to the attention of town planning authorities over violations
It is alleged that he had recently bought a plot of land in the Agios Stefanos area of the island
According to information that could not be officially confirmed
the purchase had been the cause of intense friction with a person from the island
He was also reportedly professionally engaged on the islands of Paros and Ios
which will also be the focus of investigation by the police homicide department
Stathis was considered one of the best surveyors on Mykonos
had excellent communications with the municipal authority and was even expected to attend the meeting of the municipal council scheduled for Friday to discuss the new zoning plan
Stathis had in the past reported to police that he had been physically assaulted without identifying the perpetrators
he had filed a complaint to the Halandri police station in northern Athens that he was physically attacked on Davaki Street in Halandri by unknown assailants
His murder on Tuesday occurred at 8.23 a.m
on Kritis and Eikosti Pempti Martiou streets
when an unknown assailant riding a scooter opened fire
He was seen in CCTV footage moving in the area
waiting for the victim for around an hour before the murder
he approached the driver’s window and fired 20 rounds from a 9mm caliber pistol
Police sources clarified that an initial review of the videos did not reveal any accomplices at the scene
It looks like people just hate the soil,” says Mrs Ourania as she sweeps the yard at what is one of the last surviving detached houses in the Athens suburb of Nea Smyrni
I ask how she feels about the transformation of her tiny street
which has seen apartment blocks replace the older houses – most pre-war – with increasing rapidity in the past couple of years
“We lost hundreds of houses with small gardens and yards; it was madness,” she says of the big construction boom of that era
are right on the front line of what may be called the third wave of Athens’ suburban expansion
The first big urbanization boom took place in the 1970s – when thousands of houses and their plots were signed over to developers in exchange for an apartment or a few apartments in the new block
a system known as “antiparochi.” The proliferation of mixed-use apartment blocks from that boom also cemented the Attica basin’s urban identity
The last wave before the present one was during the economic boom of 1995-2005 and it was even more prolific than the present one
buoyant sentiment from the prospect of the 2004 Olympic Games and other factors drove the acceleration of construction activity
That wave not only washed away hundreds more houses in the space of a few years
it replaced them with even taller apartment blocks of seven or eight stories
having a profound impact on the microclimate of the city’s mostly narrow streets by blocking the natural sunlight and air circulation
as well as razing what greenery there was along sidewalks to make way for parking garages for the city’s burgeoning fleet of cars
“Nea Smyrni’s greatest downfall was the destruction of its front gardens
which had been mandatory when the neighborhood was first built as a ‘green suburb’ before World War II
unhealthy patches of greenery that allowed the construction of parking garages,” says civil engineer and local resident Angelos Papaioannou
an archaeologist and coordinator at Monumenta
a nongovernmental organization dedicated to recording the country’s 19th and 20th century building stock and spearheading efforts to save it
“I think we’re experiencing a repeat of the 1970s – and that is no exaggeration
We can’t keep up at Monumenta with the emails and messages coming in every day about buildings being demolished in many parts of Athens
but also in other cities like Thessaloniki and Alexandroupoli
Most concern buildings from the 1920s and 30s
but there are also post-war ones from the 50s
This wave of demolitions increased in 2022 and continues unabated in 2023,” she says
What we’re actually seeing is the coiled-spring stemming from a decade of economic crisis and the significant contraction of construction activity
Most of the licenses for buildings constructed from 2018 onward were issued during the difficult years of the recession as a result of a surge in sales of land and property – on very favorable terms for the buyers
Most of the houses being demolished are not architecturally noteworthy
which is why they have never been listed for preservation by the ministries of Environment or Culture
While they may not have the aesthetic caliber of loftier townhouses built by renowned architects or under different economic circumstances
they do nevertheless possess an aesthetic and environmental qualities that grow increasingly valuable with time and should not be dismissed
As for the institutional framework governing them
local architectural boards are responsible for giving the green light for the demolition of any building erected before 1955; only rarely do they reject an application for a non-listed building
Buildings that are over 100 years old (unlisted ones) have an additional layer of protection
as their demolition must pass the much stricter Ministry of Culture
This means that many owners of inter-war era buildings are now scrambling to get a demolition license before the property turns 100
the main reason why buildings are coming down is the profit-damages ratio
The cost of maintaining and upgrading an old house is unbearable for most owners
modern apartment in its place is as powerful as it was a century ago
“We know from civil engineers that antiparochi never really stopped
except in the last economic crisis,” says Gratsia
“We genuinely ask ourselves how we can help stem this phenomenon
which will lead to enormous losses of our architectural legacy
Now that the registry for 1830-1940 has been completed
it emerges that Athens has 11,500 buildings from that period
Many of them may not be listed but they are noteworthy and it is important that they are saved
sent a letter to the prime minister asking to accelerate the implementation of the Diatiro program that has been announced
providing funding for structural and restoration work
Only political willpower and public pressure can stop this evil tide.”
Athens’ first private settlement was established exactly 100 years ago
It was called Psychiko and designed by architect and urban planner Alexandros Nikoloudis on the model of English 19th century garden cities
It was one of a handful of zoning programs that was implemented to the letter in Greece and continues to stand out for its planning
with streets radiating off a succession of roundabouts and elegant houses or small apartment complexes set back from the roads in gardens
The municipal authority representing Filothei and Psychiko is determined to celebrate the centennial with a victory in saving the character of the most coveted suburb in the Greek capital
Applications for construction licenses for the area started pouring into the zoning department in nearby Agia Paraskevi (which had jurisdiction at the time) in 2017 and the first sizable projects appeared shortly after
alarming the local authority and residents
After being elected mayor of Filothei-Psychiko in 2019
Dimitris Galanis realized that he was facing an unprecedented challenge
‘I think we’re experiencing a repeat of the 1970s – and that is no exaggeration’
“What had changed was that the new building regulation that had come out in 2012 started being implemented after a construction hiatus during the recession
catching many municipal authorities off guard,” he says
The new regulation may have been dressed up as promoting greater energy efficiency
but a closer look revealed that it allowed a 5% bigger building ratio and an “energy-saving” structure on top of the roof
which in “modern Greek” terms has basically meant an additional floor
in places like Psychiko and Filothei is not a negligible change
It certainly would not be accepted without challenge because it directly threatens their architectural character and their arrangement,” says Galanis
Much to the joy of construction companies and contractors
the new regulations tend to favor more ambitious projects
putting dozens of detached houses in the suburbs at risk
“We took immediate action and told the government that these building regulations could not be allowed to override the special presidential decrees protecting the status of Athens’ three garden towns: Psychiko
We also established a zoning office in our own municipality so we can have more control over the files that pertain to our neighborhoods,” adds the mayor
Even though the question of precedence has not been settled yet
the municipal authority has managed to freeze several building permits and
But why is an apartment in the suburbs still so coveted
I ask my Kathimerini colleague and expert in all things Athens
to the suburbs is the poor quality of most buildings in central Athens and the fact that schools are
Those reasons alone give us a picture of this imbalance
It is also clear that the ‘modern’ apartments that started appearing in the 1970s
offered a sense of luxury and comfort that the older buildings could not
in that the situation has not changed significantly
Many of the new apartment blocks going up across the city
are evidence of this new residential model
which is based more on the notion of a compound (with services) than on the typical apartment building
Harris Savvidis is an architect and a resident of the southern Athens suburb of Voula
“We have been experiencing widespread reconstruction in the southern suburbs over the past few years
which is due to the interest of foreign investors in the local property market as much as the interest of people who want to live in Greece for the benefits of Schengen
as well as the freedom this provides to travel and work anywhere in Europe after securing a Golden Visa,” he says
The key trait of this new wave of construction is the demolition of individual houses dating from 1930 to 1980 and their replacement with apartment blocks that meet the terms of the new regulation
gives all sorts of incentives for constructing new buildings in the place of old ones
and provides less plot coverage and a higher energy class
meaning mandatory upgrades to the specification of heat insulations
heating systems and other mechanical installations
meaning that the new apartment blocks are three or even four meters or even floors higher than the older ones around them
This has created a situation in the market which is no longer reversible.”
you could still see unbuilt plots of land in Glyfada
“This is one of the key differences with the previous construction waves; there are no more empty plots
A similar image is transmitted from the northern suburb of Halandri by Panayotis Tournikiotis
city planner and until recently a professor at the National Technical University of Athens and the head of its School of Architecture
“I have noticed it these past couple of years
We lost a lot of decent inter-war buildings in Halandri at the time,” he says
noting that it is also unreasonable to expect all the houses to be saved
“The economy and social necessity are the driving forces behind construction
Expanding protection to include the more noteworthy among the remaining houses would be one option and reducing the benefits of replacing them would be the other,” he says
“Cultivating an interest in these houses and showing their value in terms of quality of life
memory etc could also contribute to their protection and improvement
And this is something that social media could contribute to
A policy of incentives to maintain and restore houses would also be important
in selected neighborhoods where these houses were built under special circumstances
or those blocks in Halandri designed with such social
ecological or urban balance,” adds Tournikiotis
as architect Harris Savvidis describes?” I ask the usually optimistic Nikos Vatopoulos
but there are definitely a lot of tools we could use
Imagine how different so many neighborhoods and suburbs would be if the state had set certain guidelines: giving opportunities for architecture of a higher quality
setting a limit on four or five floors and definitely ensuring more greenery,” he says
The lower ground floor comprises an indoor pool with a mural by Kron Designs
and a marble garage housing a vintage 1971 Mercedes 280SE 3.5
Sheltered marble steps lead to the main entrance
The front door opens on Jeff Koons' 1988 Wishing Well ornate golden mirror
For more information, visit the Divercity Architects website
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture & Environment Director at Wallpaper*
She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London
she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006
visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas
Ellie has also taken part in judging panels
such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson
Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020) and House London (2022)
The Wallpaper* Architects’ Directory 2023's newest entry is Greek studio KKMK
behind projects such as this minimalist haven in Athens’ Psychiko
and social context of each given place – sprinkled with their own experiences in fashion
Their studio is drawn to a research-based approach
'We try to understand deeply the needs of our clients and translate their vision into a built reality
In every project we experiment with a combination of cutting-edge design technologies
innovative material and sustainable design principles
We like to explore the limits of traditional means of construction and enhance them with digital fabrication methods
It is really important for our practice not to replicate ourselves and to develop each project with a unique fresh design attitude.'
K45 Residence is a private home in the upmarket central Athens neighbourhood of Psychiko. The building's sharp, geometric, minimalist architecture looks are the result of a radical reimagining of an existing 20th-century property on site
KKMK worked with the original home's footprint and volume
And while the street façade was completely redesigned
integrating its openings with a distinctive
the interior was also transformed into a haven of calm.
Clean surfaces and simple materials and colour combinations (namely timber and white plaster) dominate throughout
They act as a serene envelope for everyday life
while leading the gaze towards the home's hidden asset – its planted courtyard
This contrasts with the frontage's expressive nature
The architects write: 'Our scope was to create a façade that pulsates with the city
It reacts geometrically to stimuli and takes its final form based on these fluctuations
remains the boundary between city and private life.'
escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
kkmk.gr
When we first discovered this delightful ouzeri in Neo Psychiko last May
we were thrilled to have found a place that specialized in Politiki Kouzina – not the cooking up of politics but the cuisine of Constantinople
mutual friends had chosen it to fete a Turkish guest
which seemed a culinary version of taking coals to Newcastle
and smacked her lips over such shared dishes as Imam Baildi
So imagine our surprise when we returned in the fall only to find a menu devoted to the food of Crete
the selections included such signature island specialties as little fried cheese pies
wedding pilaf and salads with Crete’s amazing variety of indigenous greens
By winter the menu had changed again to focus on the big North Aegean islands of Chios
Samos and Limnos – mastiha-scented pastries
local cheeses and trahana (rustic pasta) – while this spring an even more copious menu brings together delicacies from the Cyclades and Dodecanese
We have already been twice in a vain attempt to sample all of its known and unfamiliar goodies
ranging from Mykonos louza (cured pork loin) to skate salad from Rhodes
tomato keftedes (fritters) from Santorini and home-made pasta with caramelized onions and sitaka (think clotted cream) from tiny remote Kassos
The menu will change but one thing is constant: Whatever is offered will be utterly delicious
Athens eateries could be divided into categories like fish taverna
as well as the occasional restaurant with white linen tablecloths and napkins that aspired to more sophisticated tastes
In the neighborhoods where refugees from Asia Minor had settled
you would find places that catered to their memories
But to enjoy the cooking of the Greek regions you had to travel there
This pattern has changed to some extent and Cretan restaurants, especially, have sprung up all over the capital
but it is rare indeed to come upon an ouzeri or taverna dedicated to foods of the islands
What had inspired the owners of Hohlidaki to undertake such an ambitious project
It turns out that they’ve embarked on a marathon celebration of the restaurant’s 30th anniversary
explained one Saturday afternoon between meal times
they wanted to give their customers every dish they’d cooked over the years since their opening in 1986
but present them as part of a theme rather than a higgledy-piggledy mix
“Alexandros was just nine years old when we started
in a small place that looked like a village house in what used to be rural Chalandri,” said Vanna
referring to the northern Athens suburb where the family first planted roots in Greece
had come with our families as refugees from Constantinople in 1965
The Cyprus affair was brewing and the Turks threw us out
Othellos [my husband] and I both learned to cook from our mothers
We laugh when Vanna tells us that her husband was baptized Othello – the first time we’d heard of a Greek or anyone else for that matter with that name – because his father was reading Shakespeare at the time
white complexion and very blue eyes,” she explained
We’d find ourselves eating everything we’d cooked for customers who didn’t show up
We always had some dishes from Constantinople because that’s what we were raised on
but we were also on the lookout for recipes from other parts of Greece.”
Hohlidaki moved from Chalandri to its current spot in more central Neo Psychiko
The family has papered the walls with vintage posters
Vanna’s flower paintings and old photographs collected over the decades
creating a space that is cozy and familiar
A (working) juke box stands against one wall
a couple of red hammocks hang from the ceiling
and above the entrance but below blown up pictures of Laurel and Hardy and Charlie Chaplin
a row of colored bottles shines like stained glass
These are not for consumption unlike the scores of ouzo bottles lined up on the counter that separates the dining area from the kitchen
Anyone interested in tasting the ouzos from all over Greece or matching them with dishes from the same areas can choose from among 130 brands
wine drinkers will not be disappointed with the house white
though the wine list cannot compete with the ouzos
we asked Alexandros and Vanna about the name
a Cretan word for little snail quite different from the more common salingari
except for our appreciation of its wonderful food
We didn’t have a name for our place when we opened but my fourth-grade reader had a glossary in the back of unusual words
Hohlidaki would have our vote no matter what it was called
We look forward to sitting a few more times under the carmine blossoms of bougainvillea that seem to float over the outer dining area in spring and summer and sampling more of the tastes of the Aegean
who knows what further lessons in Greek gastronomy await us
Alexandros is doing his homework but he and his mother have not yet made up their minds
The Protosyncellus of the Holy Archdiocese of Athens
Christodoulos Kladitis and Protopresbyter Georgios Christodoulou
as well as a number of clergymen of the Holy Archdiocese of the Holy Metropolis
It is to be noted that hundreds of believers have flooded the temple to pay respects to the Holy Relics of Saint Sophia and her Three Daughters with reverence
The annual graduation ceremony of the Patriarchal Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy (PTOTA) was held at the Cultural Centre of..
Archbishop Makarios of Australia will be conferred the title of Honorary Doctor by both the Department of Theology and..
The Vatican announced on Monday that all telephone communication within its territory will be suspended during the upcoming conclave..
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew delivered the keynote address at the International Scientific Conference “Restarting from Nicaea:..
The Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate approved on October 4th the canonization of Eldress Sophia
(function() { window.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || { listeners: []
cb) { window.mc4wp.listeners.push( { event : evt
callback: cb } ); } } }})();
© 2023 OrthodoxTimes.com - All rights reserved
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly
This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website
These cookies do not store any personal information
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics
other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies
It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website
The largest residential development project that has ever been carried out in the Municipality of Filothei-Psychiko in northern Athens is designed by businessman Yiannis Papalekas
Having recently acquired a series of properties in the area
and installed the offices of his companies in a building in Neo Psychiko
he has succeeded in purchasing the last large free space in the area
This is the estate known to the residents of Psychiko as Fistikies
Although commercial activities are allowed on this street and it is where most of Psychiko’s shops are located
Kathimerini understands the businessman has decided to proceed with a purely residential development by building dozens of apartments of a particular architecture design
The demand for residences in the Municipality of Filothei-Psychiko is particularly strong and the supply very limited
have recently tended to approach or even exceed 10,000 euros per sq.m
Given that the building factor in the area is one (1)
this means that it can potentially build up to 8,000 sq.m.
which is indicated to correspond to 40 apartments of 200 sq.m
Although an application for the issuance of building permits has not yet been submitted due to some pending issues expected to be resolved in the near future
the first architectural plans have already been made and foresee very large apartments on the upper floors as well as some smaller ones on lower levels
a multi-story underground parking lot is planned
while care will be taken to minimize the impact of the development on the environment and the area’s traffic
“It is an ambitious project due to its size
but it promises significant capital gains,” say realty sources specializing in the area
The Papalekas-interest companies acquired the estate from members of the Alexiou family allegedly connected to the family who sold 30,000 sq.m
with an airstrip in Porto Heli to an Irish investor
The Municipality of Filothei-Psychiko in northern Athens is Greece’s first suburb to attempt to stop the increase in the height of buildings in its area
The municipal council voted unanimously a few days ago to ban the use of the “bonus” height and extra square meters given under certain conditions by the new building regulations on the grounds that it alters the area’s residential character
there has been an explosion of building construction in our municipality
with owners taking advantage of general provisions of the new building regulation
proceeding to increase the height and the building factor,” Filothei-Psychiko Mayor Dimitris Galanis
when we stopped being served by the building service of Agia Paraskevi and started operating our own building service
at least 100 building permits were issued that made use of these provisions
we challenged before the Council of State.”
greece image © erieta attali all images courtesy of divercity
london and athens-based firm divercity architects has recently completed the ‘psychiko house’ in a low-density suburb of the capital of greece
and the transparent interstitial living space
the vernacular of the design roots itself in a series of contrasts that create a playful environment of lights and shadows
sweeping forms play off of angular geometries mirrored by the pool
the rough exterior masonry stands out against the smooth white interior and reflective surfaces
the overlapping forms offer a variety of environments
with the bedrooms on the upstairs looking out over the cityscape and the social living areas on the ground floor
next to a curved room that displays the owner’s collection of vintage cars
front facade looking our over athens image © erieta attali
entry walkway image © erieta attali
back yard with pool image © erieta attali
curving pool follows the contours of the structure and site image © erieta attali
vintage car display room image © erieta attali
(left) hallway from car display room (right) transparent living space image © erieta attali
hallway from garage to living room image © erieta attali
vertical louvers block direct sunlight and glow at night image © erieta attali
1st prize in invited architectural competition project status: complete
2012 site area: 1000m² house area: 600m² design: 2007-2009 construction: 2009-2012
AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function
but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style
Appealing complex of sophisticated design and advanced functionality at one of Athens’ most in-demand areas
Few large-scale commercial property offerings in Athens districts are deemed as privileged based on the opportunities they offer and their profitable utilisation
Neo Psychiko is a privileged area offering such properties
Founded in 1929 as a small district of the expanding Halandri area
was inhabited by a limited number of locals plus uprooted Asia Minor families who arrived as refugees following the 1922 Catastrophe
the area had developed into an independent community
both in terms of local economy and population
Neo Psychiko is strategically placed between two of the Greek capital’s biggest main roads
a position that has established it as a region of intense commercial activity with high demand for business properties
a number of factors make Neo Psychiko one of the most privileged residential areas in Athens’ up-market northern suburbs
excellent accessibility and overall style have established Neo Psychiko as a steady attraction for visitors and shoppers
drawn to the district from various parts of the capital to shop or visit certain special attractions such as a large-scale outdoor chess board at Ecological Park
It should also be pointed out that Neo Psychiko has also won a European clean city award
doValue through the www.altamiraproperties.gr real estate platform
is offering a five-storey 3,607-m2 property that represents an investment opportunity for real estate buyers seeking commercial activity and interests in the privileged Neo Psychiko district
This independent five-storey commercial property, measuring 3,606.58 m2
on a plot of land measuring 1,052.97 m2 in the Neo Psychiko district
is situated at a privileged position on the intersection of Kifisias Ave
The property is comprised of 3 basement level spaces
*Property being sold through mandatory public auction procedure
The murder of topographer Panagiotis Stathis in Psychiko has cast a fresh spotlight on a contentious plot of land in Mykonos
believed to be the epicenter of a bitter dispute between Stathis and a local businessman
Stathis had acquired a prime 9.5-acre parcel adjacent to the site slated for the luxury Four Seasons hotel
thwarting a local real estate agent's attempts to secure the same land
According to reports from "MEGA" and "LIVE News," Stathis and a partner managed to block the agent's efforts and purchase the property themselves
their names do not appear on the official documentation; instead
the land is registered under close relatives' names
Stathis secured a permit to build a five-star hotel on the land
He later revised the permit to reduce the volume of construction while retaining the buildable square footage
planning to develop bungalows similar to those of the Four Seasons
It appears the ultimate goal was to sell the property to Four Seasons at a substantial profit
"MEGA" show "LIVE News" has uncovered a series of intense text messages between Stathis and the businessman
discussing the potential sale of the land to Four Seasons
The businessman involved is the same individual Stathis accused of assaulting him in 2021
The messages reveal the tension between the two:
The exchange indicates that both men initially aimed to collaborate for financial gain but eventually fell out
According to "MEGA," a witness has come forward
claiming the businessman threatened Stathis before his murder
The investigation suggests a possible connection between Stathis' murder and a recent killing in Korydallos prison
a police editor for "Ta Nea" and "To Vima," reported that the earlier attack on Stathis might be linked to this prison murder
possibly accelerating the Mykonos feud that led to Stathis' death
Relatives of the victim have reported his disputes with the businessman
Testimonies suggest the businessman's girlfriend may have met with him in Mykonos under the pretense of discussing a health center project
though no concrete plans for such a center exist
authorities are working to untangle the complex web of real estate
and revenge that culminated in the tragic death of Panagiotis Stathis
Olympiacos BC will be lending Nikos Arsenopoulos (18 years old
Subscribe to the newsletter of KAE OLYMPIAKOS to be always informed with the news of our team
The break-in occurred early on Sunday morning in the affluent Athens suburb of Psychiko
an area popular with embassies that is nominally well-guarded
unrelated to the incident (Wikimedia Commons)
Athens: Morocco's ambassador to Greece had his diplomatic vehicle stolen on Sunday after a break-in at his residence
The break-in occurred early on Sunday morning in the affluent Athens suburb of Psychiko
The robbers also stole a few items from the ambassador's residence
Reports said the ambassador and his wife were present at the time of the robbery nut were unhurt
Chaos erupted on Wednesday afternoon (February 5) in the center of Neo Psychiko following a car accident in Agia Sofia Square
the incident occurred when an 88-year-old woman lost control of her vehicle while driving on a road behind the Pentagon
“An elderly woman lost control of her SUV and crashed into parked cars
the vehicle went from the downhill lane to the uphill lane
where it hit the kids on the motorcycle,” a witness recounted
A car accident occurred at noon on Wednesday (5/2) in the square of Agias Sofias in Neo Psychiko
a vehicle driven by an elderly woman reversed into a road
and collided with another car as well as 2 motorcycles
resulting in one of the cars being turned over
vehicular traffic is difficult in the area
Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news
See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr
Tsakiri Villa in Paleo Psychiko is up for sale
an area that rivals Athenian Riviera in price
though it appeals to those seeking status rather than a property by the sea or with uninterrupted views of it
This upscale neighborhood of the capital is at the top of the list of real estate agencies with the most expensive properties and apartments
with the few newly built buildings selling from 10,000 to 12,000 euros per square meter
while old ones in need of renovation start at 4,000 euros per square meter or more
since only the rare plot of three acres that hosts this property
The villa of the Tsakiri family was the property that attracted the interest of visitors at the 4th Real Estate Expo
Images of it projected from the screen of the Epsilon Team real estate agency attracted the interest of foreign investors who asked if this particular residence is… in France because of its architecture that resembles a French palace
The great advantage of the property within the three-acre plot is that it is located in the center of Paleo Psychiko
which has always been an upscale area with large plots of land and lots of greenery
a neighborhood that added status to the owners
That’s why some people prefer to buy or rent there rather than in the coastal zone and in areas like Glifada and Vouliagmeni
The house is developed on three levels and a loft
The ground floor area includes imposing reception areas
the dining room and marble carved fireplaces
The interior doors are double wooden and masterfully painted
Large French style French doors lead out onto a marble terrace and the manicured garden with pool
on the ground floor there is an impressive office with floor to ceiling boudoir
a very spacious and functional kitchen fully equipped with breakfast area and pantry
On the 1st floor there are four bedrooms and a daily living room with access to the terrace
walk in closet and en suite bathroom and access to a large terrace overlooking the garden and pool
a smaller one also with en suite bathroom and two children’s bedrooms sharing a walk in closet
An additional bathroom serves the two children’s bedrooms
On the top level is a spacious staff room with en-suite bathroom and access to the terrace
The basement has natural light on one side from a court anglaise and consists of the pool and elevator mechanical room
It even includes a detached pool house with kitchen
bathroom and living room and serves the pool and the garden in which there is a well
has solar panels and the floors are of excellent quality wood and marble
The parking area is open for at least three large cars
but a study has been made for the construction of underground parking
According to data from real estate agencies
at the top of the list of the most expensive areas is Paleo Psychiko
with an average price per square meter starting at 4,000 euros (old apartments in need of renovation) and an average area of 180 sq.m
less than ten detached houses built between 1980 and 2010 are for sale
at prices ranging from 2.5 million euros if they need radical renovation
to 4 million euros for the most modern or well-maintained ones
the few apartments in newly built buildings cost 10,000-12,000 euros per square meter
while today there is no single-family house or even a plot of land of this size
Only four properties have plots larger than two acres in this suburb and these are not offered for sale
in addition to the villa of the Tsakiri family
there is another large property for sale for 5 million euros
Another large property in the area has recently changed hands
According to an earlier appraisal report for the auction of this prime property on 25 March Square and 1 Diamantidou Avenue at number 1
another important 930 meter plot of land near the Moraitis School changed hands for 3 million euros
which was bought by a well-known businessman to build a detached house
reports say it was sold in 2023 for 6 million
they are unrealistic and range between 15 and 25 euros per square meter
depending on the condition of the property
For a well-renovated apartment in a well-maintained apartment building
the price can reach or even exceed 25 euros per sq.m
house with a garden and swimming pool can reach up to 20,000 euros
which are the choice of almost all foreign investors
The comparative advantage of the area compared to the neighbouring garden city of Filothei is its climate
Although the two areas are very similar in terms of urban planning and greenery
Philothei has high levels of humidity due to the river that crosses it
The contract killing of 54-year-old surveyor Panagiotis Stathis is estimated to have cost up to 100,000 euros, according to officers directly involved in the investigation of the brutal murder in Psychiko
the financial affairs of the accused 44-year-old are now under scrutiny
with the first step being the examination of his bank accounts
Information already obtained by the police indicates that the accused appears to be a shareholder in various companies
The 44-year-old is originally from Nafpaktos
Police officers traveled to Agrinio to verify the existence of the company
but it turned out to be a “ghost” company
it was discovered that the high-capacity motorcycle he owned was registered under the name of an unrelated person
The accused had his primary phone turned off during the critical hours of the murder
a tactic similarly employed by the killers of Giorgos Karaivaz
he did not have the phone with him to avoid being tracked by mobile phone towers
the police expect to obtain significant information from the phones that have been confiscated from the accused
Newly released videos show the accused of the 54-year-old surveyor’s murder descending Kifisias Avenue before the crime and escaping immediately afterward
is seen riding a motorcycle towards the crime scene
he is seen leaving after having killed the surveyor
Names and addresses of certain individuals of the “Mykonos mafia”
who act in an organised manner around the tourist activity of the island
are at the disposal of the prosecuting authorities
The action of these circuits was highlighted by the murder of the surveyor Panagiotis Stathis
since all the evidence gathered so far indicates that the motive of the person who ordered the execution of the 54-year-old is related to real estate on the island
This particular sector is even becoming a new field of action for organized gangs
with Mykonos and other Cycladic islands following the lead
The arrest of the 44 year old man who was remanded in custody after his plea for the murder of Panagiotis Stathis leads to specific paths in the search for the mastermind and already three persons who met the victim on their professional route in Mykonos have been put in the frame
the police are acting with patience and without haste
as the investigation has opened up on many levels
The first evidence is expected from forensic laboratories, from the mobile phones and communications of the accused
and from the analysis of videos and other material already collected in the first part of the investigation that has already led to the arrest of the 44-year-old
He continues to deny any involvement in the crime
but the evidence already against him was deemed sufficient by the judiciary to decide to remand him in custody
The accused allegedly claims that the traces of gunpowder found on his belt are related to the fact that he is a marksman
while the testimony of a person who will give him an alibi for the crucial time when the 54-year-old surveyor was murdered is announced from his side
The second front is the investigations by the Black Money Laundering Authority
Initially it had intervened to check the financial data of the victim and persons professionally related to him and subsequently
after the arrest of the 44-year-old accused as the killer
his personal financial transactions and data are being investigated
along with another person allegedly belonging to the circle of contacts of both the perpetrator and the victim
The third front – which is considered the most crucial – is the investigation conducted by the Organized Crime Unit
under the supervision of the competent prosecutor
following the order of the Supreme Court prosecutor Georgia Adilini on the occasion of the Stathis murder
some of which were made to the Security from mouths that opened after the crime in Neos Psychiko
in essence treats the murder of the surveyor as a piece in a wider puzzle of criminal activities with Mykonos as the “matrix” and the main field of action no longer “protection” in restaurants and leisure shops
specific real estate transactions on the island by the 54-year-old surveyor have come under scrutiny
these properties are considered “prime pieces” that others have also eagerly sought to acquire.The victim
an officer who knows Mykonos and its “mishaps” well
since he is the same officer who three years ago was selected by Mr
Michael Chrysochoidis in his previous term of office at the Ministry of Citizen Protection to organize policing in Mykonos and to deal with the uncontrolled action of local mafias
Mr Tzelepis is in charge of the Organized Crime Unit at the Attica Security Service and his knowledge of the human geography of the Windward Island gives him a time advantage for the development of the investigation
files concerning cases of beatings of persons active in the real estate sector have been retrieved
The surveyor had also been a victim of a beating and now this attack is being “read” by the police as a warning to the man who has now been murdered
the interest of the police was again attracted by the brutal beating of a real estate entrepreneur on the island
the physical perpetrator was the Albanian prisoner in Korydallos Prison who was murdered days ago by a fellow inmate during a fight
there is no evidence to suggest that the two murders are connected in any way
The expansion of the ‘Mykonos mafia’ into the building – construction business and property sales is not entirely new
the island’s Town Planning Department has been closed down twice before
with its responsibilities being transferred to Syros after cases of widespread corruption were found
is a Greek professional basketball club located in Psychiko
“It's truly a dream come true for me to start my pro career in Greece,” Burke said in the statement
I've learned that adversity can either break you or make you stronger
and I'm proud to say that I've emerged stronger than ever.”
Burke received numerous accolades following the conclusion of last season
He was recognized as a member of the 15th annual BOXTOROW All-America First Team
and was also named to the All-District Second Team by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC)
He was also selected to participate in the HBCU All-Star Game
During the 2022-23 Burke averaged 18.7 points per game, ranking second in the MEAC. He also averaged 2.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game and shot 42.0 percent from three-point range. Burke started in all 31 games and scored double figures in 30 of them including scoring over 20 points in 15 of the 31 games
Burke is eager to bring new energy to the AE Psychiko Athens club
and Vision – that's what my team can expect from me,” he stated
“While being a student of the game is expected
what sets me apart are my goals and beliefs
not only pushing myself but also motivating my teammates each and every day.”
“I won't rest until I achieve my ultimate goal – a championship!”
Randall Barnes is ClutchPoints' Head of HBCU (Historically Black College or University) content and the founder of HBCU Pulse
a multimedia outlet with the mission to tell the authentic stories of HBCU Life via traditional
and always with a smile on his face when surrounded by small children
Giannis Antetokounmpo and his partner Marie and their kids were in a park at Marousi Athens relaxing
the little patrons of the playground on Amarysias Artemidos Street in Maroussi
believed that they might unwittingly star in an advertising spot
Antetokounmpo suddenly parks his monstrous vehicle next to a playground and the family of one of the top NBA stars and of course one of the most beloved athletes in Greece disembark from it
a true role model for his little fans who rushed to take pictures with him
Giannis has been enjoying his holidays for a few weeks in Greece
One of his latest moves is the purchase of a family residential complex in Paleo Psychiko
the construction of which was completed a few weeks ago
The most luxurious complex is located in a quiet neighborhood of Palaio Psychiko
near the building where the General Archives of the State are housed
The property is located on a plot of 1,585 sq.m.
with the construction occupying a total of 998.27 sq.m