Greece is transforming an abandoned airport into a £6.4billion futuristic city, expected to attract a million new tourists annually.

Ellinikon, dubbed Greece’s eco-friendly “zip code paradise”, promises to blend breathtaking coastline views with cutting-edge sustainable infrastructure. 

Built on the site of a former Athens airport which relocated in 2001, Ellinikon will feature Greece’s first skyscraper, a luxury shopping mall, and a sprawling sports park.

Once finished, estimates suggest it could contribute nearly 2.5% of Greece’s GDP, attracting one million foreign visitors a year and generating an additional £11.7bn (€14bn) in revenue.

The first phase of this ambitious project is set to be completed by next year, with full completion by 2037.

Everything from shopping to entertainment will be within easy reach in the 15-minute city managed by Lamda Development, including a vast sports park, which developers hope will attract internationally renowned athletes. 

The Ellinikon Mall is a major part of the project, which is set to “unite shopping, entertainment, work, and relaxation within a single space”. The huge mall will span 100,000 square metres, 30,000 of which will be dedicated to green spaces. 

The residential side is also drawing attention, with Riviera Tower, Greece’s tallest and first high-rise residential tower, fully sold out.

Its developers say its the tallest “green” seaside skyscraper in the Mediterranean, with 170 residences across 50 floors and an unobstructed view of the Athens Riviera, the Acropolis and Sounio. 

Focus is now shifting to the “Little Athens” residential area, made up of five luxury complexes where homes will have up to five bedrooms. 

CEO Odysseus Athanassiou told the Financial Times that, by 2037, the project will have created 80,000 jobs.