Hard Rock International will soon be opening a luxury resort and casino in Athens, Greece. The hospitality company teamed up with GEK TERNA Group for the ground breaking of the property at the decommissioned Hellinikon Airport.
When it opens in 2027 in Athens Riviera, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Athens will be the first integrated resort of its kind in Europe. The property is expected to boost economy for the entertainment and tourism sectors in the city.
The property will comprise of an upscale hotel, world-class gaming area, meeting and convention space, entertainment area, F&B venues, a luxury spa and pool complex and high-end retail space.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Athens will have 180 tables, 1,500 gaming machines and a tower comprising 1,100 guest rooms and 15 dining options. The property is also expected to include a 3,000-seat Hard Rock Live theater with standing room for around 4,000 persons along with a spa and fitness center.
The €1.5 billion ($1.65 billion) project is expected to generate 3,000 construction jobs and 3,000 permanent jobs.
While announcing its partnership with GEK TERNA for the project in 2022, Hard Rock said in a statement that the project will have the highest outdoor rooftop terrace in Athens with a rooftop pool deck.
The design of the property is inspired from basic Greek elements, such as the sea, arts and ancient mythology. The central tower will be built on three levels and have different orientations corresponding to the reference points located in the imaginary triangle formed around the project — the Acropolis, sea and Mount Hymettus.
“Today is a very special day as we celebrate this momentous occasion to bring our unique brand of world class entertainment to Athens,” said Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International. “We are grateful to all the political leaders, our partners at GEK TERNA and the people of Athens for supporting us and this project.”
The property will grow Hard Rock’s existing presence in Europe. The company currently has 300 locations — including owned/licensed or manages hotels, casinos, Rock Shops, Live Performance Venues and cafes — across 70 countries.
The project is part of the Greek government and Lamda Development’s vision to transform the historic Hellinikon Airport into Athens Riviera, a redevelopment which will enhance the tourism industry of Athens and Greece.
“We are realizing an investment much higher than its already significant nominal value, offering Greece a development project that will be a reference point for our country’s tourism product internationally, will offer employment to thousands of people and yield significant revenues to the national budget. A project with high domestic added value, as all our investments have always intended,” said George Peristeris, chairman and CEO of GEK TERNA Group.
“The Integrated Resort Complex in Hellinikon is no longer a promise, vision or a plan. It is a project that is already being built, proving in practice that we implement our commitments,” Peristeris said.
Abandoned and out of service for more than 20 years, the Hellinikon Airport was once the only international gateway to Athens. According to a report, the airport was built in the 1930s and once served as a base for the Nazi Luftwaffe during the occupation. After closing down in 2001, the northwest part of the airport was transformed to host a softball pitch, hockey field and a fencing venue for the 2004 Summer Olympic Games.
With investment worth €8 billion ($8.82 billion), the regenerated airport will also feature beachfront villas and shopping centers.