Elaionas redevelopment gains momentum with 86-stremma expropriation

This development is expected to significantly expedite progress on major infrastructure projects in the area, as well as the issuance of the building permit required to commence works on the new facilities of the Panathinaikos Amateur Club in Votanikos.

“A decisive milestone in the transformation of Elaionas has been achieved, as the Municipality of Athens has completed the expropriation of a total area of 85,670.54 sq.m., paving the way for the creation of a major new park and modern infrastructure in an area that has remained urbanistically and environmentally degraded for decades,” the Municipality of Athens stated.

The Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, commented:

“In record time—less than 21 months—we completed the expropriation of 86 stremmata in the Elaionas area. This is the largest urban expropriation ever carried out in Greece. We are delivering on a long-standing commitment that, for years, remained unfulfilled.

Our next key objective is the swift advancement of works on the acquired land. We aim to set a new benchmark—not only in speed, but also in the quality of project delivery.

Within the next year, Athenians will be able to enjoy a tangible upgrade in their quality of life in the new Elaionas, combined with one of the finest views of the Acropolis. I would like to thank the services of the Municipality of Athens for navigating and overcoming a complex web of bureaucracy.

Athens is evolving, gaining a major green hub for recreation and well-being, adjacent to the new landmark Panathinaikos stadium in Votanikos. This highly complex undertaking was implemented with funding from the Recovery and Resilience Facility, with the support of the Ministries of Environment and Interior.”

From Expropriation to Implementation

The expropriation concerns a total area of approximately 86 stremmata, while the amount of €41,008,177.17, as determined by court decision, has already been deposited with the Deposits and Loans Fund and is available to beneficiaries.

According to the Municipality of Athens: “The process commenced on 29 July 2024, following Decision No. 476/2024 of the Municipal Council to invoke Article 7A of the Code of Compulsory Expropriations, and was completed on 16 April 2026 with the publication of the relevant decisions in the Government Gazette (Issues D’ 221/30.03.2026, D’ 223/31.03.2026, D’ 276/09.04.2026 and D’ 277/16.04.2026).”

The land will be utilized exclusively for the development of the new large park in Elaionas, as well as for the opening of key road corridors, in an area long characterized by urban disarray and environmental degradation.

The next step is the immediate commencement of works, with the objective that within the coming year, citizens will begin to witness the first substantial changes in Elaionas—an area that is gradually being transformed into a modern urban space for greenery, recreation, and everyday life.