On the façade, it still bears the name of its old owner: “Karolos Fix”. The historic factory with its characteristic red brick is one of the most famous industrial complexes in Thessaloniki. Inside, the picture of abandonment is palpable: damaged walls, rusty equipment and crumbling structures.

However, even in this form, it is easy to imagine the glamor and life of this important monument, which completes a century and a half of Thessaloniki’s life and is inextricably linked to the industrial boom of the city at the end of the 19th century. . The distillery was originally founded as a distillery in 1892. It was later converted into the Olympos Brewery by Thessalonian businessmen of Jewish origin. In 1920, he merged with the Naoussa Brewery, taking the name Olympos-Naoussa. A few years later, it is acquired by Karolos Fix.

Factory FIX

After decades of abandonment, the way is now open for its exploitation and second life, as the industrial complex has fallen into the hands of the DIMAND company, which has a large portfolio of famous buildings and structures.

The first engineers to test the stability of the structures have already arrived at the site, while, according to information, preliminary work will begin next month. The amount of investment will reach 150 million euros and the use of the new buildings is expected to be mixed, including but not limited to retail, office space, entertainment and accommodation/hospitality.

It is expected that the reform of the industrial complex will contribute to the development of the entire region. In addition, the same company is building a large-scale bioclimatic space opposite the old Hub 26 factory that will meet the current strong demand for modern and environmentally friendly office space from Greek and foreign companies that have settled in Thessaloniki in the past five years.

In the same area, which is only two kilometers from the city center, the Holocaust Museum will be built, which has already attracted Israeli investors who will be active in the housing sector.

Allatini Mills – Allatini Ceramics

FIX is not the only dilapidated industrial complex that is expected to get a new life in the coming years. Already at the end of 2022, steps are being taken to regulate ownership and start using iconic buildings that are the hallmark of Thessaloniki’s industrial heritage and have been abandoned for decades.

“For years, these buildings seemed like an unattainable dream when it came to realizing their development. However, now there are very strong players involved in the development and operation of real estate located in industrial heritage buildings. Entire neighborhoods are developing thanks to these movements,” said Dimitris Tsivras, CEO of ATRIA, a real estate services company, in an interview with Katimerini. He predicts that the second half of this decade will see major and truly mixed-use developments as the new complexes will house offices, hotels, retail stores and residential buildings.

Designated as a historical monument, the Allatini Mills is an iconic factory designed by the architect Vitaliano Poselli and opened in 1900. After the auction held on January 18, it is half owned by SPM Real Estate and Faiss Group, which implemented the project. reconstruction of the Modiano market.

Behind the SPM, which came as a surprise at an auction where the Fais group was the undisputed favorite, is Prodromos Mavropoulos, a Northern Greek businessman who has been active in Bulgaria for the past few years. “SPM represents Greek interests,” the legal representative of the company, Ioannis Galovits, explained to K, adding that the company is now focused on completing the auction procedures.

Recognized as a typical example of the industrial architecture of the last century, Allatini Ceramics fell into the hands of STANDA SA, which is backed by the famous businessman Stavros Andreadis. The history of Keramey begins in the late 30s, when, even after their destruction, they began to be made according to the designs of the Swiss engineer Albert Artin. For the development of the complex, the company proposes, among other things, the construction of a “modern high-rise building of special architectural value with a height of 100 meters”, which claims to become a new attraction.

Development and preservation of memory

Although these two complexes are recognized as monuments of industrial heritage, they have suffered greatly from time and desolation. In fact, in Milos in 2015, a 15-year-old girl died after falling from the fourth to the third floor of a building during a game, resulting in fatal injuries.

“The state should seriously consider implementing support measures for the restoration and reuse of these buildings. They must be included in our lives,” said TEE/TKM President Giorgos Tsakoumis, stressing that although Thessaloniki does not change easily, the use of these historic buildings is an important step towards their development.

The front line remains how the new owners will showcase and operate the listed buildings and equipment on the property. The issue of exploiting the remnants of industrial culture in order to preserve their memory and historical significance is of concern to many countries. The International Committee for the Preservation of Industrial Heritage at an international meeting in the city of Nizhny Tagil, Russia, developed the Nizhny Tagil Charter of Industrial Heritage. Among other things, it states that the new use of buildings must respect valuable objects and maintain original patterns of movement and activity, and must be as compatible as possible with the original or main use.

Other large industrial complexes remain in the fabric of Thessaloniki, which, despite their historical and urban value, are withering away, for example, the Alisida factory.