A 200-meter skyscraper is being built in Athens
On the coast of Athens, the 200-meter Riviera Tower, expected to become Greece's tallest building, is under construction. It will be more than six times higher than the city's usual 32-meter height limit. The project received permission under a special exemption, but it is causing controversy among residents.
A 200-meter-tall skyscraper is being constructed in Athens. This structure will be one of the main objects of the $9 billion Ellinikon urban development project. The construction site is located on the Athens Riviera — a coastal area stretching from the port of Piraeus to the Temple of Poseidon. Its area is approximately three times larger than the territory of Monaco.
As part of the project, the construction of thousands of homes across several residential neighborhoods, a Hard Rock hotel and casino, a shopping mall, and a new public beach is planned.
In addition, a sports complex, schools, offices, and medical facilities will also be built. A large park is expected to create two million square meters of green space.
The main reason for the controversy surrounding the Riviera Tower is its height and its impact on the historical appearance of Athens. In the city, building heights are typically limited to 32 meters. This serves to preserve an unobstructed view of the Acropolis and the Parthenon located on it.
The 200-meter tower and the entire Ellinikon project received approval as an exception to the current building standards. For this reason, the new building will clearly stand out among the surrounding low-rise structures.
According to the results of a 2025 survey cited in the source, 63 percent of respondents opposed the construction of the Riviera Tower. Meanwhile, 41 percent of participants did not support the entire Ellinikon project aimed at redeveloping the area.
Despite being located at a certain distance from the historic center, the skyscraper's impact on the cityscape remains one of the main objections of critics. The project has brought to the agenda the issue of balance between modern construction and the preservation of ancient architectural heritage in Athens.