The historic Schliemann-Melas mansion in Athens is being transformed into a 5-star hotel

The iconic Schliemann-Melas mansion is yet another historic building to fall victim to the tourism industry, and yet another landmark in the Greek capital that had to be offered to investors as part of a rescue agreement.

A €36 million investment program to renovate and refurbish the mansion, which also houses the Ideal cinema, will transform it into a 5-star hotel for the most discerning international jet set.

Just before a piece of modern Greek history closes its doors to the public, some rooms of what was once one of the Greek capital's architectural gems will host an exhibition from mid-October to mid-November 2024.

Schliemann-Melas Mansion

Built by German architect Ernest Ziller in 1890 for the family of an amateur archaeologist Heinrich Schliemannthe mansion began its life as a complex of family houses. The building was built in 1880-1890 and is part of a complex of four houses erected by Schliemann on Panepistimio Avenue and Harilau Trikoupi Street. Designed by Ernst Ziller, it consists of four floors and an additional open-air building that housed the Ideal cinema.

During the Second World War, the building housed the Arsakejo educational institution, then became a hotel for a short time, and was eventually converted into offices for lawyers and notaries and into shops, which left their mark on the public life of the city. Later, in the 20th century, the building appeared the iconic Ideal cinema and restaurant of the same name, which have become historical landmarks of Athens.

The end of the 19th century was a period when the landscapes of Attica attracted expatriate businessmen, and all the noble representatives of the upper class sought to build a brilliant palace in a central location that would confirm their socio-economic status.

The wealthiest and most privileged among them turned to Ernst Ziller, “the stern operator of Renaissance eclecticism,” as Costas Biris wrote, who rose to prominence early in Athenian society. Among the clients of the office of his compatriot and, above all, friend was Heinrich Schliemann, the explorer who discovered the treasures of ancient Troy and, as an amateur archaeologist, was highly respected throughout the world.

The building in question, which will soon be converted into a hotel, was built a few years later as a “property property” for the Schliemann family, as we read in the corresponding link from the catalog of the exhibition organized by the National Gallery for Ziller. In other words, the building was built in order to provide income to the descendants of the German archaeologist, in particular, his children, Agamemnon and Andromache. The building is intended to be multifunctional (residential, office and commercial) with a horizontal distribution – modeled on similar large neo-Renaissance buildings in Vienna, where Ziller studied.

Today the building is once again going through a period of transition: it will be converted into a hotel, regaining its lost glory, and all the architectural and decorative elements lost over time will be restored.

Investors Mitsis Hotel Group said they would use the building “with respect for its history and neighboring buildings such as the conservatory”. In addition, it is stated that the use of the cinema will be expanded, as will the use of the theater and conference center.

The building of the Schliemann-Melas mansion belonged to the Greek social insurance fund e-EFKA and was transferred to the Mitsis Hotel Group, which became the winner of the tender and leased the property for 35 years with the right to extend for another 10 years.

Exhibition October 17-November 17, 2024

Inside the iconic Schliemann Mela building

Just before being transformed into a hotel, the majestic “ghost” of Panepistimiou Avenue will open with a major exhibition that will take the public on an immersive, existential and certainly unexpected journey under the direction of acclaimed curator Kostas Prapoglou. City non-profit organization artefact athens presents an exhibition of contemporary art entitled WANDERLUST(filapodemia) / ALL PASSPORTS. It will take place in the numerous spaces of the emblematic building of the Schliemann Mela with the participation of 44 Greek and foreign artists.

• The exhibition is open: Thursday – Friday – Saturday – Sunday: 15.30 – 20.30
• Duration of the exhibition: from October 17 to November 17
• Venue: Megaro Schliemann-Melas, 46 Panepistimiou, Athens
• Omonia/University metro station

Admission is free

• Visitors are asked to enter the exhibition area wearing closed, flat shoes.
• With financial support and under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture

The physical nature of the building in Ziller's architectural design and execution is inextricably linked to the history of Athens and is a reference point for both tradition and national identity after the creation of the Greek state on several levels, exhibition organizers said.

The center of Athens died for the Greeks

A few weeks ago, I was driving along Stadiou Avenue with a friend. We saw all these neoclassical buildings near Syntagma Square that are being restored. One first-class hotel next to another is like mushrooms in a forest. Better this than having ghost buildings, we thought.

Both my friend and I “saw” the future center of Athens without local residents, without residents of the Greek capital and suburbs shopping in real stores or simply looking out of windows, enjoying lunch or a cafe in the cozy and famous atmosphere of their own city. All we saw were tourists walking around in shorts, hats and sunglasses, with a bottle of water in hand, desperately searching for something left of old Athens.

Such a terrible example is the nearby Mitropoleos street, leading from Syntagma Square down to Monastiraki. Cafes and restaurants of all types and cuisines, a temple of fast food where there used to be small and large shops offering mainly the highest quality fabrics and accessories for any use, from curtains and sheets to blankets and duvet covers, from dresses and coats, to name just a few of them. This Athens no longer exists.

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