Monument Athens hotel opens in a redesigned home by MPLusM

Monument Athens hotel communal area interior — (Image credit: Dimitris Poupalos)

Monument Athens is not only one of the Greek capital's newest luxury hospitality offerings; it also offers a bridge between Athens' past, present and future, housed in a precious listed historic structure in the city's centre – a neoclassical building from 1881 designed by German-born architect Ernst Ziller (who is behind over 500 structures across Greece, including key municipal buildings such as the Presidential Mansion and the National Archaeological Museum). The particular piece, located in the Psiri neighbourhood, has now been sensitively transformed by Athenian architecture studio MPlusM into a contemporary hotel, preserving its original features, while being updated for the 21st century.

Monument Athens exterior shot from ground looking up

Monument Athens: an icon reborn

Now, Monument Athens can proudly show off its original detailing – from gypsum decoration on ceilings and walls, to carved marble balconies, columns and murals. These have been delicately restored to their former glory, while complemented with a modern context of natural materials, and a mix of contemporary, vintage and bespoke furniture.

Monument Athens hotel entrance as seen from the street

The hotel offers a boutique nine rooms – each with its own identity, as well as high ceilings and customised architectural details designed to elevate the guest experience. The grandeur of Athenian neo-classicism and its glamour are mixed here with modern amenities, such as a 24-hour concierge service, a wellness spa and rooftop access.

Monument Athens is 'a work of art', its team highlight. It has, as its name suggests, been recognised as a 'monument' to be preserved for future generations, as designated by the Greek Ministry of Culture; and it is one that has been reborn through meticulous restoration, design and respect to a classic's integrity and character.

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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).