Page 128 - ATHENS RIVIERA JOURNAL 2023

ATHENS RIVIERA JOURNAL
Influence
"WE HAVE ALWAYS
ENVISIONED THE

ATHENS RIVIERA AS THE
ULTIMATE DESTINATION

WORLDWIDE, NOT

ONLY DURING THE
SUMMER MONTHS BUT

THROUGHOUT THE YEAR."

ing identified with the Island, which
is now an Athens Riviera landmark.
RIVIERA Y ou grew up in Vouliagmeni and be-
When it first opened, did you ever im-
agine we would be talking about the
Athens Riviera as a destination in its
own right?
RESHAPER Vouliagmeni is a place of unique natural
beauty, a magical landscape which has
retained its authenticity. I feel blessed to
have grown up here. Thirty-three years
ago, together with my brother Spyros, when we built Island, we
With his innovative vision decided that we wanted to invest in hospitality and catering. Both
Island and the Athens Riviera in general were projects that we had

for the Athens Riviera, in mind from very early on. Athens is the only European capital
that has an organized coastline or a riviera that is less than half
an hour from the city center, with wonderful clear waters that
Chrysanthos Panas has you can swim in. As a project, Island required a lot of effort but
eventually succeeded in becoming a destination for visitors from
paved the way for its all over the world who come to sample its fine dining and enjoy
its DJ sets every summer.
development into a truly With an impressive portfolio of popular venues in Athens (Is-
land, Athénée, Bricolage, Dragoste, Central), are your plans for
the first entertainment resort in Greece a natural succession to
European destination. all of the above projects?
We have consistently invested so that the quality in all of our ven-
ues is always flawless, both in terms of aesthetics and the raw ma-
Interview by ELSA SOIMIRI terials that we use. Island will indeed be the first entertainment
resort of its kind in Greece, accommodating guests either visiting
for their own personal events or to enjoy an evening at the club.
Guests at the resort will be able to swim on our beaches, dine in
the restaurant and have fun in the club whilst enjoying their very
own bungalow within the resort.
Considering its importance in the area’s overall development,
what factors did you take into account when designing the resort?
An important study of the area and the natural landscape was
conducted; a team of scientists has elaborated all the resort spec- VASILIS PHOTIOU
ifications, whilst fully respecting nature, endeavoring to preserve
it, without interfering with it. Sustainability has always been high >

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