Piraeus approves hotel conversion of Papakosta building

Greece's Department for Modern Monuments and Technical Works of Attica, Eastern Sterea and the Cyclades has conditionally approved works to convert the Papakosta building into a hotel, on Korai Square in Piraeus, alongside the reconstruction of the Hai Life cinema. The property, on Karaiskou and Alkiviadou streets, is reportedly owned by the company Hai Life Monoprosopi EPE.

The building is more than 100 years old, has been listed as a protected structure since 1986, and stands in visual contact with the protected Piraeus Municipal Theatre. The authority ruled that the proposed works do not harm the neighbouring monument and that the plan helps restore the historic appearance of the Papakosta building while preserving its cinema use, as required by a Council of State ruling that had partly annulled the 2021 building permit.

The approval's conditions focus mainly on the building's exterior appearance: on the Karaiskou street facade, the altered ground-floor window frames must be replaced with wooden ones, and business signage must be small, non-illuminated and integrated into the facade. Awnings and electromechanical equipment are banned on the building's shell, while outdoor shading for the restaurant area is limited to removable, mobile elements.

Additional structural maintenance works are planned for reinforced concrete elements showing corrosion, to be carried out by registered conservation specialists, while basement interventions require the consent of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Piraeus and Islands. The Culture Ministry's approval does not replace the required building permit, and no number of rooms, hotel category or opening timeline has been specified.

This is the second Culture Ministry approval for hotel conversion of a listed Piraeus building we have recorded in a matter of days, following a similar approval for the Metaxas mansion.