The former hotel, located at the corner of Mitropoleos 21 and Komninon 9, is owned by Northern Greek entrepreneur Kostas Amiridis. This renowned building will undergo a complete transformation following an investment expected to exceed €5 million. Given the lengthy and demanding licensing process due to the building’s protected status, the reconstruction proposal has been submitted for approval to the relevant authorities at the Ministry of Culture. The plan includes not only restoration but also the redesign of the fourth floor and the addition of a fifth floor to expand the hotel’s main spaces into a luxury unit. The property is owned by “Omicron Alpha IKE,” with partners including Mr. Kostas Amiridis as the manager, a businessman known for his activities in the electrical and electronic devices market, along with Ms. Panagiota Amiridi.
The investment plan for the property anticipates an increase in capacity, bringing the total number of rooms to 52 for the former hotel, which closed in March 2020, at the onset of the pandemic, after operating continuously as a hospitality venue. The new five-star establishment in the co-capital, which is gradually attracting more investments in high-end hospitality, is expected to also feature dining areas and a gym.
The old Tourist hotel has a history of over 100 years. It was designated as a protected building in 1983 and was constructed between 1921 and 1922, serving as a hotel on the upper floors with shops on the ground floor—functions it maintained from its inception until its closure. It is noted that during its construction, over a century ago, the area saw a surge in hotel construction following the devastating fire of 1917 in downtown Thessaloniki.
Previously, the hotel had a capacity of 35 rooms and was fully renovated in 2003 before closing in 2020 and subsequently being sold. In 2020, amid the pandemic, the Philological Society, as co-owner of the property along with the Papayiannou family, initiated a competitive bidding process for its sale, ultimately leading to its acquisition by the Amiridis family.
According to the new restoration study, which requires approval from various bodies, including the Central Council of Modern Monuments, the capacity will increase with the addition of new spaces. The property currently offers 2,000 square meters of main areas, with an additional underground space exceeding 400 square meters. A key aspect of the study is to highlight the unique architectural and structural elements of the property, including the old staircase and more.
