The contract to be granted comprises all studies related to the planning and licensing of the expansion project of the existing old beach promenade with the construction of a deck. The beach extension project is expected to offer "respite" to the residents and tourists who visit the city's beach front every day.
"With the construction of the deck and a series of other emblematic interventions, such as the reconstruction of the monumental axis of Aristotle, Thessaloniki is changing its category", commented the mayor of Thessaloniki, Konstantinos Zervas, adding that "Thessaloniki is getting a balcony on the sea and at the same time expanding the its horizons, dynamically entering the modern era".
Along with the deck, the refurbishment of the wider surrounding area of Victory Avenue is planned. The project is part of the strategic planning of the Municipality of Thessaloniki to upgrade the natural, cultural and urban environment of the city.
For the project of constructing a deck on the old beach, the municipality had announced an architectural competition of ideas, which was completed about a year ago. The first prize was awarded to the proposal signed by architect engineer Georgios Dimopoulos and civil engineer Vassiliki Panagiotopoulou.
The researchers proposed two spatial zones that run parallel to the entire sea front of the old beach. The zone of the extension and the zone of the existing sidewalk-sidewalk are distinct, so that with their different quality characteristics they offer different experiences and feelings to their users.
The deck of the extension is placed at a level lower than that of the existing platform. At points where the deck intersects with important axes, such as that of Aristotelous Square and Agia Sofia Street, recesses are formed. At the same time, spatial compositions - units of different levels are formed. The proposed configurations at a lower level gently and discreetly separate the area of pedestrian movement-flow from the area of standing, meeting and social contact.
