Description
This unique Greek heritage apartment is 'the annex' of an aristocratic 1930's apartment on the pedestrian path of Fokionos Negri. (see our other listing (Aristocratic 1930's Apt - sleeps 10)
Just 5 minutes away by foot, from the mother house, it served as the creative study space for Kalliroe, the artist and collector who lived in the large house nearby. It also housed the family's close friends and relatives. The 'annex' is decorated in the similar style as the artistocratic residence, but was built in the late 1950's. It is 100m2. It has a small alcove balcony and is a comfortable, pleasant place serving as a 'pied a terre' during your Athens stay.
ADDITIONALY: Additional services for extra price are offered to our guests is a Hippocrates-based massage 40' and half-day, eclectic, insider tour of Athens, organised picnic with Acropolis view etc. Ask us for details.
THE MOTHER HOUSE:
The apartment building, designed by Belgian architects was commissioned in the 1930’s by industrialist Lanaras. It is among the city’s few remaining authentic art deco style buildings. It was built in the area of Kipseli, where the Athenian ‘crème de la crème’ rich and famous resided between the 1930’s until 1980’s, such as Maria Callas and many ship-owners. Within a short distance from the Acropolis and the historic center of Athens, the apartment overlooks the renowned café-filled, tree-lined pedestrian zone of Fokionos Negri and is opposite the famous fountain/sculpture “The Bather” by Halepas (1851 to 1930).
In the late 1980’s it was bought and renovated by the international banker (and earlier Greek-resistance fighter) Nicholas Agiorgiti and his wife, artist and esthete Kalliroe. They had both escaped from Greece for Montreal, in 1968 due to the Junta occupation. After decades of neglect, the eccentric couple, upon their return, took on the 360sqm apartment for renovation. Staying true to its original style, they filled it with their collections and transformed it into a unique living environment again. Further to the space’s esthetical quality, the home became a hearth and meeting point for artistic and political intellectuals. Many times their vivid discussions, often accompanied by music, went on, well into the early morning hours.
The apartment is filled with art, antiquities, Byzantine and post Greek-revolution items collected by its earlier owners. Its ceilings are over 4m high and rooms are large. It still has the original paint on the walls and is very atmospheric. Imagine sitting amongst the portraits of Lord Byron, Maria Callas, Shelly, the Nobel prize poet Angellos Sikelianos and dancer Isadora Duncan. Or wandering past Anatolian style iron vases, rare Chinese vases, swords from the 1830 revolution and colorful oriental hand-woven rugs. Imagine a place without air-condition, telephones, microwaves. Just quietness, intertwined with a saxophone coming through the window overlooking the pedestrian path.
Since the old times, the chic district of Kipseli, has evolved into a bubbling poli-cultural area of Athens, no longer glamorous, it still is a rich source of the city’s beautiful authentic architecture. Nearby is the main boulevard of Patission, from where a mutitude of buses and trolleys pass. You can hop into a taxi to take you to Kolonaki, the Acropolis and the historical center in 10 minutes. The National Archeological museum and grand park ‘Pedion tou Areos’ is within walking distance. The nearest beach at 'Faliron', which also has a yacht marina, is about 20 minutes away by taxi or by the slower tram.
