A Second Life for Xenia Hotels

Xenia are not conscionable hotels; they are traces of a nationalist modernization program that, successful the 1950s and 1960s, aimed to spot Greece connected the planetary tourism map. Designed by starring Greek architects, Xenia acceptable a standard of modern aesthetics, harmoniously integrated with the earthy and humanities environment, with a vision of presenting Greece arsenic outward-looking and cosmopolitan.

Neglect and Preservation

Some Xenia today stand neglected, arsenic architectural fragments of a modernizing vision, often victims of looting oregon indifference, their aboriginal still uncertain. However, galore person been preserved and fixed a caller life, sometimes arsenic hospitality oregon recreational venues and sometimes arsenic taste centers, while others are successful the process of restoration.

Balancing Investment and Heritage

Decisions regarding their use and cognition spell beyond spot management. They necessitate a delicate equilibrium betwixt the viability of an concern and the preservation of the sanctity of the ιστοσελίδα and extortion of taste heritage. Their use is not simply a concern enactment but a analyzable process dictated by the ineligible model for the extortion of archaeological sites and monuments, arsenic well arsenic decrees defining permissible uses and gathering regulations, which service arsenic filters for Ministry of Culture approvals to forestall alterations to historical sites.

Current Restoration Efforts

Efforts are underway to utilize definite hotels of the emblematic Xenia programme located within archaeological zones, such arsenic the Xenia successful Arta, situated within the Byzantine castle. The municipality’s archetypal connection for edifice use was rejected successful 2017 by the Central Archaeological Council arsenic incompatible with the quality of the monument; the municipality is present pursuing a hybrid program for a taste multipurpose space with constricted hospitality.

In Paleopolis, Samothrace, adjacent the Sanctuary of the Great Gods, the Xenia, present spot of the Ministry of Culture, will beryllium converted into a depository store and refreshment country aft completion of ongoing studies.

The Xenia Motel successful Paliouri, aft galore years of delays, yet received support successful August for the last restoration and reuse program for the monument-designated complex, arsenic portion of the already approved spatial improvement of a Composite Tourist Accommodation. Further approvals for the start of concern are still pending.

Restoration and exterior plan studies, including the summation of caller buildings, were besides approved this year for different Xenia, including Spetses.

Challenges and Abandonment

However, there are besides examples where “no airy is visible connected the horizon,” such arsenic the derelict Xenia successful Ancient Corinth, which suffers superior structural issues (owned by the municipality), and the erstwhile Road Station gathering successful Platamonas. For the abandoned unit successful Paliochora, Heraklion, HPPC is successful the process of signing a contract, while the destiny of the Xenia successful Thasos has yet to beryllium determined.

In Psychro, Lasithi, though the Archaeological Service gave the Municipality of Oropedio support for attraction and restoration within the protected zone, work has not yet progressed.

Xenia Hotels That Have Found a New Life

Many Xenia, however, person recovered caller life. The erstwhile Xenia Lagonissi, within the archaeological ιστοσελίδα of Lavrion, present operates arsenic the Grand Resort Lagonissi. Similarly, Xenia successful Mykonos, Sifnos, Kalamata, Larissa, Pylos, Kos, Kastellorizo, and Patmos proceed to run arsenic hotels. In Skiathos, the archetypal gathering was renovated and complemented by a vacation village, while renovation works are ongoing astatine Xenia Chios.

In Chalkida and Itea, the buildings were repurposed for eating and leisure, while the Xenia of Epidaurus serves arsenic a refreshment and edifice space for performances astatine the past theater.

HPPC’s Strategy and Investor Interest

Regarding the 29 historical Xenia under HPPC’s management, ten are already leased, including Xenia successful Arachova, Kastoria, Nafplio, Cape Sounio, Edessa, Serres, Portaria, Ancient Olympia, Lagonissi, and Chios. Seven are successful the process of declaration signing (Kastania, Andros, Platamonas, Tsagarada, Xanthi, Ouranoupolis, Heraklion). Eight stay escaped and available for utilization (Kozani, Kalentzi, Thasos, Vytina, Drama, Komotini, Epidaurus, and Delphi).

By the extremity of the year, HPPC plans to motorboat nationalist tenders for Xenia Drama and Kozani, where there is capitalist interest. Preparatory steps for Xenia Delphi and Igoumenitsa are underway. The latter, antecedently leased to the University of Ioannina until 2027, will beryllium reclaimed owed to extended decay. HPPC aims to utilize this space strategically, fixed its determination with nonstop connections to Italy and the wider Adriatic region.

Interest successful Xenia is exemplified by the caller tender for the 30-year lease of the Xenia successful Ouranoupolis, which attracted 7 concern groups and was awarded to the highest bidder, offering €826,875 annually, up from the starting terms of €240,000.

Source: tovima.com