Exploring Athens Trigono

Last month I took part in yet another Open Walk by Atenistas. This time we explored the city’s commercial area called Athens Trigono (meaning Triangle). The borders of this area are Athinas, Evripidou, Praxitelous and Athinaidos streets. This area was Athens’ original commercial center. It is full of old buildings and crafter workshops. In Athens Trigono you will fabric stores, hardware stores, hobby stores, food stores and it goes on. A lot of new cafes and restaurants have also popped up in the area.

During the walk, we discovered new places and got in buildings that we wouldn’t otherwise. Oh yes, we got some killer views as well.

We started off by checking out an office renovation on “flat iron” building. It was built in 1957 and has a triple façade on Aiolou, Chrisospiliotissis and Nikiou streets. We visited a renovated space on the 6th floor. It has a beautiful view over Chrisospiliotissa church and Athens Trigono square.

Next on the list was Kourtaki arcade, which used to house the headquarters of Kourtaki wine company. They are famous for their retsina, a resinated wine. Noel The Holiday Bar is now housed in the arcade. I took the opportunity of the empty bar to snap this GORGEOUS photo of the blue room.

The Open Walk isn’t only about old buildings and nice views. It is also about getting to know the people that work in the neighborhood. We visited Prigipo jewelry workshop, a leather bags workshop and a painter’s atelier. The latter is located in a modernist building from the 30s on 33 Praxitelous street. This building has a beautiful and bright atrium. It has become Instagram famous thanks to the Änana, on the building’s ground floor.

One of the buildings I loved was that of Metapolis Photography Seminars. I loved it for its perspective. It has a narrow courtyard which allowed for beautifully framed photos. Because nowadays, I do appreciate interesting photo locations. Now on to some information about this building. Its basement used to house the largest electronic equipment center in Athens. The rest of the building housed various stores. Today it could use some more love (and renovation) if I may be honest!

Athens 4 is a new boutique hotel located on Polikleitou street number 4. This street used to house fashion related artisans and stores with trimmings, buttons, fabrics, etc… Until the 1980s MODA SA occupied the building on 4, Polikleitou street. Today the building is transformed into a hotel, with minimal design and a nod to the building’s past. During Open walk we got inside the rooms as well. I love getting inside boutique hotels. If you down know, I’m a sucker for interior design. Besides that, I can always suggest those hotels to future Athens visitors.

In the Pinnacle Hotel, we didn’t get to see the rooms. We did climb the stairway though and checked out the view from the roof garden. The building dates from the 1970s. Dimitris Varangis, a renowned architect at the time, designed the building. It used to be one of the first department stores in Athens. The building’s staircase is painted burgundy and serves as a massive gallery wall. Over 300 photos, paintings and magazine clips adorn the staircase walls. The roof has a 360 degrees views over the city and is amazing. Not only you get to see the neighborhood of Athens Trigono, but even all the way to Piraeus.

vintage telephones, typewriters and lamps

Our last stop was the Retrosexual Vintage store. Industrial designer Joe Pe created the space. He is a vintage collector and created this store to express his passion. Retrosexual is part vintage store part museum. We visited its basement as well which has a small exhibition of old packaging. I was mostly drawn at the cosmetics. Not going to lie.

And like that our Open Walk-in Athens Trigono came to an end. I like participating in these walks and discover unknown facets of my city. If you’re interested in checking out the past walks I’ve participated you can click here. I’ve also added links throughout the post.