Tender launched for €204.6M redevelopment of Thessaloniki International Fair

The deadline for submitting bids closed yesterday, Monday, 12 October, following an extension of approximately three weeks, with market interest exceeding initial expectations.

The bidders include AKTOR Group, TERNA, METKA of the METLEN Group, AVAX, EKTER, and the MESOGEIOS–TRITON ACT consortium.

The tender is being conducted under a design-and-build model by the Strategic Contracts Unit (PPF) of the National Development Fund. The project has been included in the Strategic Projects Contract Development Programme, while public funding has been secured through the National Development Programme for 2026–2030.

The project budget stands at €165 million excluding VAT and €204.6 million including tax.

From Exhibition Complex to Metropolitan Park

The redevelopment covers a total area of 176,087.65 square metres in the heart of Thessaloniki. Its aim is to transform the existing exhibition complex into an open urban destination where trade fairs and conferences coexist with green spaces, cultural venues and recreational facilities.

A central feature of the plan is the creation of a 120-acre metropolitan park, accounting for approximately 68% of the total redevelopment area. This represents a significant reconfiguration of land use, aimed at reducing the current dominance of buildings and increasing the amount of open space.

The plan is based on the concept of Privately Owned Public Spaces (POPS). Although the site will remain under the control of the TIF operator, a substantial part of the area is intended to function as an open space accessible to residents and visitors.

The design also includes the so-called “Cultural Path”, a route connecting the new complex with museums, monuments and metro infrastructure, improving accessibility and integrating the site more effectively into the surrounding urban environment.

Two Exhibition Buildings Covering 43,000 Square Metres

The main construction programme includes two new bioclimatic exhibition buildings, with a combined above-ground floor area of approximately 43,000 square metres.

The larger building, Hall 1, will cover approximately 33,000 square metres and will be constructed during the first phase. Hall 2, covering approximately 10,000 square metres, will follow in the second phase.

The new buildings will be designed to meet modern energy-efficiency standards and offer operational flexibility, enabling them to accommodate major international exhibitions, business events and gatherings of varying sizes.

The project also provides for the comprehensive renovation and functional upgrade of the Ioannis Vellidis Conference Centre, with the aim of strengthening Thessaloniki’s competitiveness in the conference and business events market.

In addition, the development includes underground parking facilities with a total capacity of 1,064 vehicles, alongside the infrastructure required to support the exhibition facilities.

Locating parking below ground level is intended to free up surface space for landscaping and the development of outdoor areas.

The metropolitan park will feature pedestrian routes, gathering and recreational areas, cultural and sporting facilities, as well as water features.

The environmental design includes a rainwater collection and reuse system for irrigating landscaped areas. The expansion of green spaces is also expected to improve local microclimatic conditions.

Construction to Be Completed in Three Phases by 2030

Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027 and be completed by the end of 2030, with the project to be delivered in three successive phases.

The first phase will include construction of Hall 1 and the commencement of works at the Ioannis Vellidis Conference Centre. The second phase will involve the construction of Hall 2, while the third will focus on completing the metropolitan park and outdoor areas.

A key requirement is that TIF–HELEXPO must remain operational throughout the construction period, ensuring that exhibition and conference activities are not disrupted.

This requirement adds considerable construction and organisational complexity to the project, as the contractor will need to coordinate demolitions, new construction, the relocation of existing functions and the landscaping of outdoor spaces within a complex that will remain in active use.