What I can see

A new form of residence and business premises appeared in Athens during the 2000s, the so-called “lofts”. Common characteristics of the buildings’ exterior are the urban or industrial aesthetics, the contemporary lines, the discreet colours and each building tends to have a particular architectural identity. Most examples are found in the Gazi area. Among them is “Thission Lofts” (123 Pireos St.), a former neoclassical industrial building of 1927 that was reused in 2005 and its renovation was completed 6 years later, keeping up with modern needs. “Box One” (2010, Dekeleon and Paralou St.) are apartments in the “box” logic. In an older house, a metal outer shell was added, which acts as a “barrier”. The characteristic perforated shade of “Athina Art Apartments” (47 Orfeos St.) is playful with light and shadow. Right proportions of volumes, colours, materials and the maximum exploitation of natural light govern “Gazi Lofts” (7 Vitonos St.). The transformation of a former industrial space at 82 Konstantinoupoleos Street into an impressive complex of residences and cultural events in industrial design, make “10AM Lofts” (2021) one of the most recent architectural creations of its kind. Lastly, a small building, but with very inventive architectural solutions, is located at 1 Damokleous  and Konstantinoupoleos Streets.

What I can't see

The majority of lofts are newly built. However, there are also cases of renovated older buildings. Lofts are very expensive residences or business premises that follow an urban logic of single spaces, without partitions, and can be configured as the tenant wishes. Residents of Gazi argue that some lofts do not follow the neighbourhood’s building restrictions.

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