An Athenian landmark, the Hilton is closing its doors after 58 iconic years
A New Era for the Hilton Hotel The Athens Hilton has closed for reconstruction a massive project with fewer rooms but with luxurious residences.
The building is set to reopen under the name Conrad Athens at the end of 2024.
The Hilton’s architects executed mid-century aesthetics in traditional materials like Pantelic marble to make the building undeniably Athenian & modern at the same time. The hotel officially opened in ’63 with a 3-day party featuring a who’s who of international celebrities.
In 1958, Yiannis Moralis was commissioned to decorate the imposing fresco on the building’s north side. Already one of Greece’s most iconic artists, Moralis worked across styles early in his career but, by the 1950s, was becoming known primarily for his work with abstraction.
Moralis created a composition for the Hilton’s façade that was at once completely modern & totally traditional – like the building itself. His early drafts highlight subject matter drawn directly from the city’s Classical past, all rendered in his iconic minimalist style.
To realize his futuristic vision, Moralis looked back to some of the most traditional aspects of Greek architecture: stonecutting.
A team of highly trained masons carved the stark lines of Moralis’ minimalist Athena, Parthenon, flute players and a chariot on huge marble slabs.
For six decades, visitors to Athens & commuters on the Vasilissis Sofias Avenue have been greeted by Moralis’ architectural homage to Greek art.
While we’re saying goodbye to the Hilton, the building isn’t going anywhere. After a few years of renovation, it will reopen as the ‘Conrad.’
Article by
Evan Levine@LevineRx on Twitter