TEF-HELEXPO S.A. announced the official start of the international competition for the ‘Redevelopment of the area of TIF-HELEXPO in Thessaloniki’, a project of major development perspective for Thessaloniki.
With the launch of the international competition for the Redevelopment of TIF-HELEXPO, the largest urban regeneration in Northern Greece and one of the most important urban regeneration projects of the country is launched. The announcement of the tender is implemented following close cooperation with the Municipality of Thessaloniki and the Region of Central Macedonia, as well as with the Presidency of the Government and collaborating Ministries (National Economy and Finance, Ministry of the Interior – Macedonian Thrace, Infrastructure and Transport, Environment and Energy and Green Fund, Culture).
The project will be financed from national resources, with a budget of 165 million euros plus VAT, i.e., a total amount of 204.6 million euros.
What does the project include?
The project includes 2 new exhibition bioclimatic buildings with a superstructure of ~43,000 sq.m. The New Exhibition Buildings Hall 1 and Hall 2 maintain the basic architectural quality of the original proposal (2021), with an emphasis on lightness, bioclimatic function, clear recognition and direct interconnection with the Park.
Construction of Hall 1: total superstructure area ~ 33,000 sq.m., of which 22,500 sq.m. is exhibition space. The Hall 1 building is the first exhibition building and is developed on five functional levels: basement, ground floor, mezzanine, floor and roof.
Construction of Hall 2: total superstructure area ~ 10,000 sq.m., of which 7,000 sq.m. are exhibition spaces. The Hall 2 building is the second exhibition building and is developed on three functional levels: basement, ground floor and roof.
It also includes the renovation of the Conference Center ‘I. Vellidis’ with an area of ~6,000 sq.m. (~3,000 sq.m. exhibition/conference spaces), with partial construction in the months of June-July-August of each year, so as not to disrupt the operation of the TIF-HELEXPO company.
At the same time, an area of 120 acres will be created bearing the characteristics of a Metropolitan Park, open to residents and visitors. 1,064 new underground parking spaces will be created, with the aim of decongesting traffic in the area. Demolition, waste management, fencing and rehabilitation of affected parts of the property will be carried out.
The proposal envisages the demolition of the majority of the existing TIF-HELEXPO buildings, preserving the most important buildings and landmarks of the area. The existing buildings preserved in the Redevelopment proposal are the Conference Center ‘I. Vellidis’, the Alexandria Sports Mall, the OTE Tower, the MOMus, the HANTH gate and the Esso Pappas Pavilion. The main goal is to maintain the exhibition and metropolitan character of TIF-HELEXPO in combination with the creation of an extensive network of accessible spaces and greenery. The original architectural proposal, awarded in an international architectural competition in 2021, was adapted to incorporate changes that occurred in the design of the project, while maintaining, however, its design philosophy and principles.
Three stages of implementation
The project is expected to be completed within the year 2030 through phased deliveries, in order to enable the uninterrupted activity of TIF-HELEXPO. For the maturation of the project and the start of the tender process, the necessary maturation actions must be implemented, such as indicative studies and permits (e.g., environmental, archaeological, updating and specialization of architectural studies in the new plan, etc.). The project has been designed to ensure the uninterrupted operation of TIF-HELEXPO throughout the construction, through a phased implementation in three stages.
In the first stage, the construction of the exhibition building Hall 1 will proceed and the reconstruction of the Conference Center ‘I. Vellidis’. In the second stage, the construction of the Hall 2 exhibition building will proceed, and in the third stage, the configuration of the surrounding area.
The Metropolitan Park as a new green lung for the city
The redevelopment essentially transforms the area of TIF-HELEXPO into a new area that will have the characteristics of a 120-acre Metropolitan Park, in the ‘heart’ of Thessaloniki. The Metropolitan Park will function as a daily meeting place for residents and visitors, offering pedestrian routes, recreational and rest areas, infrastructure for cultural events and sports activities. The initiative honors the historical character of the site as a landmark of the city and aims at the sustainable integration of greenery into the urban environment.
A central element of the composition is the ‘Culture Path’, a new route that will connect the eastern and western sides of the city, the important monuments and museums, as well as the new metro station in Egnatia, while it will also connect the landscaped spaces of the Metropolitan Park with the new TIF-HELEXPO Event Pavilions. The operating model envisages the creation of a dynamic destination for culture, leisure and business activities.
The design promotes the ecological and aesthetic upgrading of the area, with an emphasis on the ‘reintegration of nature’ into the urban landscape. The site will incorporate water features and an integrated rainwater management system for reuse in irrigation and water feature operation, contributing to ecological autonomy and reducing consumption.
The project will be implemented and operated with a sustainable economic and management model, ensuring accessibility, safety, and environmental protection, as well as the cultural identity of the place.
Upgrade of the destination ‘Thessaloniki’ for conferences and exhibitions
The redevelopment is going to significantly upgrade an activity linked to the city’s identity and strengthen one of its landmarks. At the same time, it comes to strengthen the overall position of the city of Thessaloniki as a conference and exhibition destination, which in recent years has seen an ever-increasing demand. With modern and upgraded infrastructure, the city will enter even more dynamically on the map of international conferences, exhibitions and major events, which has multiplier benefits for the local economy.
A landmark project for Thessaloniki
The Redevelopment of TIF is one of the largest urban development projects in the country, to transform an area with old building stock into an open, lively, modern and environmentally upgraded urban hub, in the center of Thessaloniki. The project is expected to upgrade the quality of life of the residents and contribute to the local and regional economy of Northern Greece.
The renovation project of TIF HELEXPO has been widely accepted
According to a GPO survey in the Municipality of Thessaloniki, nine out of ten citizens recognize the importance of TIF-HELEXPO for the city and the economy, while the positive evaluation of the main characteristics of the regeneration project reaches 88.1%. The most popular are the strengthening of greenery (92.1%), the preservation of the historicity of the area (92.2%), and the creation of underground parking spaces (91.7%).