Hilton Hotel
Putting aside the massive reactions to its construction, the Hilton hotel remains a distinct modern building with a few classic elements.
Modern and Contemporary era (1821 - )
1949 Hilton was visiting Athens having in mind the creation of the hotel.
1958 Beginning of construction based on the designs of Emmanuel Vourekas, Prokopis Vassileiadis, Antonis Georgiadis and Spyros Staikos.
1963 Construction completion.
2001 Beginning of restoration works and addition of a 6-storey wing. (architects in charge: Alexandros Tobazis and Harry Bougadelis).
2022 Beginning of renovation works and rebranding as "Conrad".
Ottoman era (1453- 1821)
Byzantine era (331 AC- 1453)
Roman era (30 BC- 330 AC)
Hellenistic era (322- 31 BC)
Classical era (478-323 BC)
Archaic era (800-479 BC)
Geometric era (-1100- 800 BC)
Prehistory (-1100 BC)
What I can see
The Hilton Hotel is an emblematic building of Athens. It occupies an entire block, without leaving any of the property unoccupied –in violation of building regulations– and has even occupied part of Vas. Sofias Avenue for car parking outside the front entrance. Putting aside the massive reactions to its construction, the Hilton remains a distinct modern building with a few classic elements. On its northwest side, there is a Greek touch: an artistic composition by Giannis Moralis made with Pentelic marble, inspired by antiquity. The concave shape of the building makes its volume seem less rigid.
What I can't see
The construction of the hotel was completed in violation of building regulations, following backdoor deliberations between the company and the country’s political leadership. It provoked a huge reaction both in Greece and abroad, because apart from the fact that massive buildings were prohibited within direct view of the Acropolis, the Hilton was, according to several newspapers of the time, an ugly 54-metre tall mass between Lycabettus, Hymettus and the Acropolis. Foreign media called its construction vandalism and a show of disrespect for Greek culture. The construction of the hotel in the city centre and its volume made it the first post-war status symbol with economic and political undercurrents.
Info
- Address: 46 V. Sofias Av.
- Postal Code : 11528
- Phone: +30 210 7281000
- Website: http://www.hiltonathens.gr
Bibliography
http://www.eie.gr/archaeologia/gr/arxeio_more.aspx?id=29,
Last visit 23/12/2012
Biris K. H. (1966), Αι Αθήναι από του 19ου εις τον 20ον αιώνα, [Athens from the 19th up to the 20th century], 5th edition 2005, Athens, Melissa
