A new era is expected to begin with a time horizon of late 2023. Aigley Zappeyu, a historic entertainment complex built in the early 1900s and closed as of October 2020. Up to this point, the facility was managed on the basis of a long-term lease by Eigly restaurants and recreation areas, controlled by – who died in March 2022 – a businessman. D. You are short. Over the past two and a half years, the multi-purpose hall, managed by Olympic and Benevolent Committee (EOkK)preserving the conditions of the covenant of the people’s benefactor Evangelo Zappapassed through fire and iron.

In addition to debts of around 350,000 euros from the rent of Eigly Catering and Leisure, EOCC had to start repairing and beautifying the facades of the building. And this is “in order that the building can be appropriately integrated into the surrounding area of ​​the Zappion Garden and neighboring monuments with special conditions (for example, remove the metal canopies from the east side)”, as stated. in an earlier annexation decision buffet in Law 4495/2017 for the settlement of arbitrary.

After the summer, repair work will begin in the summer cinema, which is recognized as a historical monument.

In the summer of 2022, the Olympic and Charitable Committee, which manages the Zappeion Megaro, the world’s first building designed for the needs of the Olympic Games, held a tender for the lease of Aigli for twenty years. In this tender, which stipulated that the tenant must have a minimum guaranteed annual turnover of 5 million euros, the only offer was made by the Grigoris coffee house chain. The company will pay a monthly rent of 35,100 euros and an additional rent – from 01/01/2025 – which will correspond to 1% of its annual gross income of 5 million euros. A few days ago, by its decision, the Main Department of Public Property and Public Assets of the Ministry of Finance, to which EOCC belongs, approved the conclusion of a long-term lease agreement with the Grigoris network. So the next step includes a signing between the Olympias and Donations Committee and the catering network, which marks a new beginning for the historic meeting place of the Athenians.

According to reports, Grigoris plans to complete the renovation of the premises by the end of the year, with an initial investment of 5 million euros. The new tenant of the facility, which includes not only a café and event space (3,300 sqm) but also a cinema, aims to redefine Aigli Zappeio’s identity by maintaining part or all of the existing brand. “The Grigoris brand will not be used,” the well-known chain says emphatically. After the summer, according to information, reconstruction work will also begin at the Aigli summer cinema, which has an area of ​​766 sq.m. and is recognized as a historical monument.

Rent for Network “Grigoris” Aigli Zappeio, which also includes a 961 sq.m. surrounding area, will strengthen the financial position of the Olympiads and Donations Committee, which is estimated to raise an amount of 421,200 euros annually. Eigley, whose performance has collapsed due to both the multi-year economic crisis and the pandemic, is the fund’s biggest source of income.

A place to meet and exchange ideas

Aigli Zappeiou, which includes a buffet, event space and a cinema, has a long history dating back to the 19th century and was built in 1904. At the beginning of the 20th century, “Zythestiatorion i Aigli” was associated with Athens. belle epoque and the Balkan Wars, in the interwar period and in the post-war years it functioned as a social space, and in 1910 the Aigli cinema was opened, which was one of the first summer cinemas in Athens. In late 1980 and early 1990, businessman Lakis Raptakis secured a concession of the property, which he renovated and turned into a landmark of the secular Athens of the time, with the site’s regular patrons including Aliki Vougiouklakis, Zoë Laskari and Irini Papa. . Aigli, “the most pleasant center of Athens”, according to the advertising motto of the time, was a constant meeting place and exchange of ideas for scientists, artists and residents from all over Athens. Before the construction of the Aigli Zappeion, on October 20, 1888, the Zappeion Megaro was opened as the seat of the Olympians. It was funded by businessman and national benefactor Evangelos Zappa.