Athens Builds 200-Meter Riviera Tower Skyscraper Despite Protests

As part of the $9 billion Ellinikon project, the 200-meter Riviera Tower is being built on the Athens Riviera. Its height sharply exceeds the usual 32-meter limit in place to preserve the view of the Acropolis: the skyscraper received an exception to the current rules. According to a 2025 survey, 63% of respondents oppose the tower's construction, and 41% do not support the entire Ellinikon project.

tafs uz editorial deskFirst published on tafs uz 17 October 2026 at 12:542 min readAI translation

The key facts

The 200-meter Riviera Tower is part of the $9 billion Ellinikon project on the Athens Riviera
The usual building height limit in Athens is 32 meters; the tower received an exception to the rules
According to a 2025 survey: 63% oppose the tower, 41% do not support the entire Ellinikon project

The Skyscraper in the Ellinikon Project

A 200-meter skyscraper is being built in Athens, which will become one of the key structures of the $9 billion Ellinikon urban project. The construction site is located on the Athens Riviera — a coastal area stretching from the port of Piraeus to the Temple of Poseidon. According to Kun.uz, its area is roughly three times the size of Monaco.

What the Project Will Include

The project plans to build several residential neighborhoods with thousands of apartments, a Hard Rock hotel and casino, a shopping center, and a new public beach. Also planned are a sports complex, schools, offices, and medical facilities, while a large park will feature two million square meters of green space.

An Exception to the Height Rules

The main point of contention surrounding the Riviera Tower is its height and its impact on the historic appearance of Athens. Building heights in the city are usually limited to 32 meters, which serves to preserve the open view of the Acropolis and the Parthenon. The 200-meter tower and the entire Ellinikon project received approval as an exception to the current building codes, so the new building stands out sharply among the surrounding low-rise development.

Public Discontent

According to the results of a 2025 survey cited by the publication, 63% of respondents opposed the construction of the Riviera Tower, while 41% of participants did not support the entire Ellinikon area redevelopment project. Although the skyscraper is located at some distance from the historic center, its impact on the city's panorama remains one of the critics' main objections. The project has brought to the forefront the question of balancing modern construction with the preservation of Athens' ancient architectural heritage.