Hard Rock International, one of the world’s leading hospitality and entertainment companies, has announced the start of construction for its first integrated resort and casino project in Greece. The project, named Hellinikon, is a joint venture with Lamda Development and Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, and will be located at the site of the former Athens International Airport.
A landmark project for Greece and the region
The Hellinikon project is expected to be one of the largest and most ambitious development projects in Europe, transforming a 620-hectare area into a world-class destination for tourism, culture, entertainment, and business. The project will include a mix of residential, commercial, cultural, and recreational facilities, as well as a metropolitan park, a marina, and a casino resort.
The casino resort, which will be operated by Hard Rock International, will feature a luxury hotel with 200 rooms and suites, a state-of-the-art casino with 1,200 slot machines and 120 table games, a Hard Rock Live performance venue, a Hard Rock Cafe, and a Rock Shop. The resort will also offer a variety of dining, spa, wellness, and leisure options, as well as meeting and event spaces.
The Hellinikon project is expected to create more than 10,000 direct and indirect jobs during the construction phase, and more than 70,000 jobs during the operation phase. The project will also generate significant economic and social benefits for Greece and the region, boosting tourism, attracting foreign investment, and enhancing the country’s image and competitiveness.
A milestone for Hard Rock International
The Hellinikon project marks a milestone for Hard Rock International, as it will be the company’s first casino resort in Greece and the Mediterranean region. The company, which was founded in 1971 and is owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, operates 262 venues in 76 countries, including 12 casinos, 217 cafes, 29 hotels, and 14 live entertainment venues.
Jim Allen, Chairman of Hard Rock International, said that the company is honored and excited to be part of the Hellinikon project, and that it will bring its unique brand of hospitality and entertainment to Greece. He also said that the project will showcase the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and cultural diversity.
“We are thrilled to break ground for our first integrated resort and casino project in Greece, and to join forces with Lamda Development and Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment to create a world-class destination that will attract visitors from all over the world. We are confident that our Hellinikon resort will set a new standard for quality, innovation, and excellence in the region, and will contribute to the growth and prosperity of Greece and its people,” Allen said.
A long-awaited and controversial project
The Hellinikon project has been in the works for more than a decade, since the closure of the Athens International Airport in 2001. The airport, which was built in 1938 and served as the main gateway to Greece for decades, was replaced by the new Athens International Airport in 2004. Since then, the site has been largely abandoned and underutilized, despite its prime location and potential.
The Greek government, which owns the majority of the site, decided to sell it to Lamda Development, a leading real estate company in Greece, in 2014, as part of the country’s privatization program to reduce its public debt and meet the demands of its international creditors. Lamda Development, in turn, partnered with Hard Rock International and Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, a US-based casino operator owned by the Mohegan Tribe, to bid for the casino license in 2019.
However, the project faced several delays and challenges, due to legal disputes, bureaucratic hurdles, environmental concerns, and political opposition. The project also faced criticism from some local residents, activists, and groups, who argued that the project would destroy the natural and cultural heritage of the site, and that the public land should be used for social and public purposes, rather than for private profit.
The project finally received the green light from the Greek government and the relevant authorities in 2020, after securing the necessary approvals, permits, and licenses. The project also received support from the European Commission, the European Investment Bank, and the Greek tourism industry, which welcomed the project as a catalyst for the recovery of the sector, which was severely hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The construction of the Hellinikon project is expected to take about five years, with the first phase of the project, including the casino resort, scheduled to be completed by 2026. The project is estimated to cost about 8 billion euros, of which 1 billion euros will be invested by Hard Rock International.
