In the Greek Acropolis, we can get an idea of what the past was like. In 2026, just 20 minutes from this monument, it will also be possible to glimpse what the future will be like in Ellinikon, the largest smart city in Europe.
The project for this smart city began in 2014, when Lamda purchased the land of the former Ellinikon airport for 915 million euros. There had been plans to convert the area into a luxury destination (similar to Monaco) long before, but the economic crisis did not allow it. Lamda also faced the tail end of that crisis, which, coupled with rising construction costs and a lack of labor, caused delays in the work.
A city model that will boost the GDP by 2.5 points
On the southern coast of Greece, near the capital, the first floors of La Riviera Tower can already be seen. At 200 meters tall, it will be the tallest skyscraper in Greece when completed. The building, whose construction has finally begun after years of delays, will be the crown jewel of a much more ambitious project: Ellinikon, a large smart city expected to be ready in 2037, creating 80,000 new jobs and adding 2.5 points to the country’s GDP.
In addition to the skyscraper, the city will feature green spaces, a large shopping center, a marina with its promenade, and several hotels. It will also have a luxury residential area dubbed Little Athens. Of the 243 homes put up for sale, which have not yet been built, 140 have already been reserved, mostly by people from the country. The developer, Lamda, estimates that when completed, Ellinikon will have about 20,000 inhabitants, who will be able to move into their new homes by the end of 2026.
A 15-minute city, smart and sustainable
With a total area of 2,300 hectares, Ellinikon is expected to become the largest smart city or 4.0 city in Europe. To achieve this, it will have smart infrastructure (sensors, artificial intelligence, or underground networks, among other tools) designed to improve the daily experience of residents and visitors, 5G and public Wi-Fi throughout the city, as well as smart mobility systems (such as parking assistance).
All this intelligence will also serve sustainability. Thus, water, waste, and energy management will be guided by devices that use the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) to achieve maximum efficiency. This will also be reflected in the buildings, which will be equipped with the latest technology to maximize the comfort of those who live in them while respecting the environment.
In line with the pursuit of sustainability, Ellinikon has been designed following the 15-minute city model, ensuring that its residents have access to schools, parks, offices, and even the beach within a quarter of an hour’s distance.
