Divercity Architects breathe new life into a modernist Athens landmark

new residential development OneAthens
Divercity Architects' new residential development OneAthens sits at the foot of the pine clad Lycabettus Hill. Photography: Nikos Daniilidis
(Image credit: Nikos Daniilidis)
By Ellie Stathaki
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One of Athens’ key modernist landmarks, the ‘Doxiadis Building’ (as it is known to locals) was created in the late 1950s by architect Constantinos Doxiadis and used as his headquarters. Sitting at the foot of Lycabettus, the building saw the architect’s office and design school flourish, but it slowly fell into disrepair after his death in 1975.

Enter Christos Joannou and Miltos Kambouridis, of local developer Cyclamino, who bought the building in 2007 with the aim to breathe new life into its iconic shell. The team commissioned London and Athens-based practice Divercity Architects to lead the redesign, transforming the building into OneAthens, the city's first fully serviced residential development.

The refreshed complex includes 26 units and features a roof garden with views of the Acropolis and Lycabettus, a wellness centre with a fully equipped gym, a children's playroom, a club and film room, and a business suite.

The ‘Doxiadis Building’

The ‘Doxiadis Building’ (as it is known to locals) was created in the late 1950s by architect Constantinos Doxiadis and used as his headquarters. Photography: Nikos Daniilidis

(Image credit: Nikos Daniilidis)

serene oasis within the city's densely populated centre

Surrounded by greenery, the building provides a serene oasis within the city's densely populated centre. Photography: Erieta Attali

(Image credit: Erieta Attali)

idealised metropolis, or entopia

The original design was centred around Doxiadis' vision of an idealised metropolis, or entopia, which would provide for small communities within big cities. In line with these values, the ground floor has been kept open for communal spaces and amenities. Photography: Fernando Guerra

(Image credit: Fernando Guerra)

different materials distinguish the different internal conditions inside

Divercity Architects updated the original modular grid design by treating the facade much like a canvas. Three different materials distinguish the different internal conditions inside. Private areas are reflected externally by opaque marble panels, public areas by glass (to maximise views), while inbetween spaces are clad in translucent concrete.  Photography: Erieta Attali

(Image credit: Erieta Attali)

marble atrium

The marble atrium houses a calming water feature, and is designed to ease the transition between the energy of the city and the peace of the residences. Photography: Fernando Guerra 

(Image credit: Fernando Guerra )

on-site reception and concierge

One Athens houses an on-site reception and concierge. Photography: Nikos Daniilidis

(Image credit: Nikos Daniilidis)

roof garden, children's playroom, club and film room, business suite, and a wellness centre

Other residents' facilities include a roof garden, children's playroom, club and film room, business suite, and a wellness centre with equipped gym. Photography: Fernando Guerra

(Image credit: Fernando Guerra)

innovative materials and cutting edge facilities

The new design is faithful to the legacy of the original building, yet the use of innovative materials and cutting edge facilities reflects the demands of modern lifestyles. Photography: George Fakaros

(Image credit: George Fakaros)

26 new residences

Each of the 26 new residences are unique, offering distinct personalities. As much as possible the layouts have been kept open to maximise both views and daylight. Photography: Fernando Guerra

(Image credit: Fernando Guerra)

extensive use of glass

The extensive use of glass allows the easy choreography between inside and out, forming windows into this exclusive world. Photography: Fernando Guerra

(Image credit: Fernando Guerra)

five uppermost apartments

The five uppermost apartments each contain their own garden terrace, while all residents have access to the spacious roof deck. Photography: Fernando Guerra

(Image credit: Fernando Guerra)

1,700 square metres

Covering a total land area of 1,700 square metres, the complex consists of four multi-storey buildings, positioned around an atrium and ranging up to eight stories in height. Photography: Nikos Daniilidis

(Image credit: Nikos Daniilidis)

iconic landmark

Doxiadis originally designed his iconic landmark to sit at the same height as the Parthenon, in the foothills of Mount Lycabettus. Photography: Fernando Guerra

(Image credit: Fernando Guerra)
Ellie Stathaki

Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture & Environment Director at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018), Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020) and House London (2022).

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