What I can see

This imposing building was designed by Ernst Ziller and the arched openings on the ground floor, the characteristic corner towers, the first floor balconies, the pediments and the sculptural decoration are impressive.

What I can't see

It belonged to the wealthy grain merchant of London, Vassilios Melas. It was probably his home and the ground floor also housed shops. Other sources state that it was intendedto operate as a hotel for wealthy Greek clients from abroad. The proceeds of the hotel would go to the construction of schools through the Melas Endowment Committee. It probably did not operate as a hotel. Melas, however, in his will, actually asked for the schools to be funded by the proceeds of the property’s utilization. It was the largest private building in the city at the time and cost the astronomical sum of 1,000,000 drachmas. Inside, there is a glass-roofed atrium. During the German occupation, it housed the censorship committee.

Info

• Address: 93 Aeolou & 1 Kratinou St.

Bibliography