What I can see

The Balkan Press Centre operated here and now houses the Association of Macedonian and Thrace Newspaper Editors. The building consists of a semi-basement, 4 floors and an attic. Its openings are symmetrical, with the exception of those on the first floor. The ornate gobbles are different on each floor, the balustrades are either built or metal and the whole building is intensely decorated, as can be seen from the pilasters with or without ridges, its columns, arches and reliefs with plant motifs. The central vertical axis is in slight projection, like an ercker (projected enclosed balcony), and the difference is also emphasized by its colour.

What I can't see

It was one of the first buildings in Thessaloniki that reinforced concrete was used. It was probably designed by the civil engineer Ioannis Papounas, although other sources claim it was designed by Leonardo Gennari. The restoration of the building (by S. Ladas, M. Nomikos, M. Dousis, E. Stalentza) was awarded by the Commission of the European Communities. The heavy decoration, however, set a limit on the renovation design, therefore making difficult to meet modern needs (e.g. library, offices and event spaces). The spaces are organized around a central hall. The wooden floors have a different layout on each floor, thus indicating the different use of each floor, while the staircase and the plaster decorations are considered to be of rare beauty. The building was originally the residence of the Konstantinidis family, who shortly after sold it to the construction company of Papounas, due to maintenance costs. Likewise, Papounas, sells it to the National Bank two decades later and the Bank’s manager lived on the second floor.

Info

• Address: 5 Str. Kallari St.

Bibliography