multiresidence

With this, our journey is over. I still have a few undated images that I'd like to show you, purely for their photographic value so keep an eye on the hashtag for a few more days. It's been really fun, thanks for listening, fav'ing and boosting and have a nice night.

Και μ'αυτά το ταξίδι μας τελείωσε. Έχω μερικές ακόμα εικόνες να σας δείξω πιο πολύ για τη φωτογραφική τους αξία. Ευχαριστώ θερμά που με διαβάσατε, τα φαβ και τα μπουστ :-)

#ΤαξίδιΣτοΧρόνο #πολυκατοικία
#multiresidence #timeTravel

And finally, the first one that I saw being completely constructed after the height of the financial crisis. It's mighty small, but it's something.

Και τέλος, η πρώτη πολυκατοικία που βλέπω να χτίζεται εξ'ολοκλήρου μετά την κορύφωση της κρίσης. Πολύ πολύ μικρή αλλά κάτι είναι κι αυτό.

#ΤαξίδιΣτοΧρόνο #πολυκατοικία
#multiresidence #timeTravel

This one is one that resumed and finished very recently. A true 2010's #multiresidence, one of a very few.

Αυτή είναι μία από τις επανεκκινηθείσες πολυκατοικίες. Σπάνιο δείγμα πολυκατοικίας των 10's

#ΤαξίδιΣτοΧρόνο #πολυκατοικία
#multiresidence #timeTravel

The halt was so screeching that construction of many buildings stopped halfway. You can still see unfinished buildings for sale though some have finally resumed construction.

Η κρίση ήρθε τόσο απότομα που πολλές πολυκατοικίες έμειναν ημιτελείς. Βλέπει κανείς ακόμα τα κουφάρια τους με φθαρμένες επιγραφές "ΠΩΛΕΙΤΑΙ". Σιγά σιγά σε κάποιες, επιτέλους επανεκκινείται η δραστηριότητα.

#ΤαξίδιΣτοΧρόνο #πολυκατοικία
#multiresidence #timeTravel

The crisis decimated the construction business in Greece and brought it down to around a 7th of its former size. The multiresidence construction almost came to a halt.

Data statistics.gr

Η οικοδομική δραστηριότητα αποδεκατίστηκε και μειώθηκε στο 1/7ο. Πολυκατοικίες δεν χτίζονταν πια για το μεγαλύτερο μέρος των 2010's

Στοιχεία ΕΛΣΤΑΤ

#ΤαξίδιΣτοΧρόνο #πολυκατοικία
#multiresidence #timeTravel

The typology didn't change much in the 2000's. The median apartment size has gone significantly down but the number of bedrooms have increased over the size of common areas.

Η τυπολογία δεν άλλαξε ιδιαίτερα στα 2000. Το μέσο διαμέρισμα είναι πλέον μικρότερο αλλά τα υπνοδωμάτια αυξάνονται εις βάρος των κοινών χώρων.

#ΤαξίδιΣτοΧρόνο #πολυκατοικία
#multiresidence #timeTravel

The previous building did not have a date but the phone number on it gives away that it was finished after 2002. That was the year phone numbers started beginning with a 2 instead of a 0. :-)

Η προηγούμενη πολυκατοικία δεν έχει ημερομηνία κατασκευής αλλά το τηλέφωνο προδίδει την ηλικία της. Τα τηλέφωνα άρχισαν να ξεκινούν με 2 το 2002 :-)

#ΤαξίδιΣτοΧρόνο #πολυκατοικία
#multiresidence #timeTravel

That is all folks for today. We're getting close to the end. Two more decades to cover till we reach today.

Have a great night! #tzaf

Αυτά είχα να σας δείξω για σήμερα, πλησιάζουμε προς το τέλος. Έχουν μείνει δυο δεκαετίες μέχρι και το σήμερα.

Καληνύχτα.

#πολυκατοικία #ΤαξίδιΣτοΧρόνο #νεκράΕμπορικά #multiresidence #timeTravel
#deadMalls

However #deadMalls are not a uniquely Greek problem. Online shopping has eaten away from retail revenue and malls are dying in the US with an unprecedented rate. This along with the recession killed the few that did it right too.

Παρ' όλα αυτά τα #νεκράΕμπορικά δεν είναι αποκλειστικά ελληνικό ζήτημα. Ακόμα και στις ΗΠΑ τα εμπορικά πεθαίνουν με ρυθμό χωρίς προηγούμενο. Η κρίση και το ηλεκτρονικό εμπόριο χτύπησε και τα ελάχιστα πετυχημένα εμπορικά.

#πολυκατοικία #multiresidence #timeTravel

All these features show the extreme optimism of the 90s. There will always be someone to tend the plants, clean the fountains, maintain the escalators. Ironically these are the same features that today scream abandoned

Όλα αυτά τα στοιχεία δείχνουν την εξαιρετική αισιοδοξία του 90. Τώρα στη νέα εποχή κάποιος πάντα θα φροντίζει τη φύτευση, το συντριβανάκι, τις κυλιόμενες: όλα αυτά που σήμερα φωνάζουν εγκατάλειψη

#πολυκατοικία #ΤαξίδιΣτοΧρόνο #multiresidence #timeTravel #deadMalls #νεκράΕμπορικά

One can't not notice that they are very much alike. A product of their time, in so many ways. The panoramic elevators, the (now dead) escalators, the internal atrium, the blue-tiled fountains with colored lights...

Δεν μπορείς πάντως να μην παρατηρήσεις τις ομοιότητες. Προϊόν της εποχής τους αδιαμφισβήτητα. Οι πανοραμικοί ανελκυστήρες, τα συντριβανάκια με τα μπλε πλακάκια, οι κυλιόμενες, το αίθριο εσωτερικά...

#πολυκατοικία #ΤαξίδιΣτοΧρόνο #multiresidence #timeTravel #deadMalls #νεκράΕμπορικά

Still these mini-malls did have their heyday, when their little fountains were lit in color, their glass elevators went joyfully up and down and the escalators still worked.

Παρ'όλα αυτά τα εμπορικά της Αθήνας είχαν και τις καλές τους μέρες που οι γυάλινοι ανελκυστήρες τους ανεβοκατέβαιναν καθρεφτίζοντας στο πανταχού παρόν γυαλί και οι κυλιόμενες περνούσαν ήσυχα πάνω από τα χρωματιστά συντριβανάκια.

#πολυκατοικία #ΤαξίδιΣτοΧρόνο #multiresidence #timeTravel #deadMalls #νεκράΕμπορικά

Back then I thought that the good weather and established open-air markets posed too much of a competition for malls to get a foothold. Until 2005 when "The Mall of Athens" opened its doors and quickly propelled to 10m customers per year.

Νόμιζα πως οι ανοικτές αγορές και ο καλός καιρός ήταν πολύ μεγάλος ανταγωνισμός για τα κλειστά εμπορικά και γι'αυτό αποτύγχαναν. Όταν όμως άνοιξε το TheMall άλλαξα γνώμη

#πολυκατοικία #ΤαξίδιΣτοΧρόνο #multiresidence #timeTravel #deadMalls #νεκράΕμπορικά

One can see anchors accessible from the outside of the mall, no grand opening, missing anchors and even missing management. I suspect some just sold the stores leaving the management to the council of owners

Βλέπουμε σουπερμάρκετ που είναι προσβάσιμα απ'έξω, έλλειψη μεγάλων καταστημάτων, έλλειψη διαχείρισης, εκκίνηση χωρίς εγκαίνια. Υποψιάζομαι πως μερικά κέντρα απλά πουλήθηκαν κομματιαστά αφήνοντας τη διαχείριση στο συμβούλιο ιδιοκτητών

#πολυκατοικία #multiresidence #deadMalls #νεκράΕμπορικά

Greek constructors made all kinds of mistakes by thinking that a mall (the preferred term of the era being shopping centre) is just a retail #multiresidence

Οι Έλληνες κατασκευαστές πίστεψαν πως το εμπορικό κέντρο ήταν απλά μια #πολυκατοικία με καταστήματα. Μεγάλο Λάθος.

#ΤαξίδιΣτοΧρόνο #timeTravel #deadMalls #νεκράΕμπορικά

: COSMOS center

Finally it's imperative that a mall opens with quite some fanfare and most, if not all, stores occupied. There's nothing harder than to bring customers into a half-empty mall.

Τέλος είναι σημαντικό ένα εμπορικό κέντρο να είναι πλήρες από την αρχή και τα εγκαίνια να είναι εντυπωσιακά. Είναι πολύ δύσκολο να φέρεις τον κόσμο σε ένα μισοάδειο mall.

#πολυκατοικία #ΤαξίδιΣτοΧρόνο #multiresidence #timeTravel #deadMalls #νεκράΕμπορικά

The other super-important thing in a mall design is the retail mix. Picking the right anchor and stores for the intended audience is hard work and might make or break a mall. If you go and fill up a mall with premium brands in the most deprived area nobody will attend.

Επίσης σημαντικό είναι το μίγμα καταστημάτων. Η επιλογή π.χ. ακριβών ονομάτων σε εμπορικό υποβαθμισμένης περιοχής είναι συνταγή αποτυχίας.

#πολυκατοικία #ΤαξίδιΣτοΧρόνο #multiresidence #timeTravel #deadMalls #νεκράΕμπορικά

Another detail is that escalators should be arranged in a way that you have to pass in front of stores to ascend to the next level so rarely two ascending escalators are above each other.

Μια ακόμα λεπτομέρεια είναι πως οι κυλιόμενες συνήθως είναι διατεταγμένες έτσι ώστε να πρέπει να κάνεις έναν κύκλο μπροστά από τις βιτρίνες για να ανέβεις στον πιο πάνω όροφο.

: psychiko center

#πολυκατοικία #ΤαξίδιΣτοΧρόνο #multiresidence #timeTravel #deadMalls #νεκράΕμπορικά

There's a lot about the design of a mall that matters: people should see people moving around from the outside but stores must be only accessible from the inside, in order to "capture" the customer into the mall

Όλες οι λεπτομέρειες έχουν σημασία: οι περαστικοί πρέπει να βλέπουν την κίνηση των πελατών μέσα στο mall αλλά τα καταστήματα πρέπει να είναι προσβάσιμα μόνο από μέσα για να φέρουν τον κόσμο στο κέντρο

#πολυκατοικία #ΤαξίδιΣτοΧρόνο #multiresidence #timeTravel #deadMalls #νεκράΕμπορικά

Malls also always have one or multiple "anchors". Large retailers that draw customers by themselves such as supermarkets or department stores. Anchors are always placed so that the customers must pass through other stores to reach them

Τα mall έχουν πάντοτε ένα σουπερμάρκετ ή πολυκατάστημα τοποθετημένο έτσι που να χρειάζεται να περάσεις από πολλές βιτρίνες για να πας εκεί. Αυτό φέρνει κίνηση στο εμπορικό.

: Ermis center

#πολυκατοικία #νεκράΕμπορικά #multiresidence #deadMalls

Malls usually have a certain kind of architecture that aims to (a) maximise sales and (b) maximise occuppancy. Mall owners are usually an entity that attempts to bring customers to the mall by advertising and management

Τα εμπορικά κέντρα έχουν ειδική αρχιτεκτονική η οποία σκοπεύει (α) στην αύξηση των πωλήσεων και (β) στην αύξηση της πληρότητας. Οι ιδιοκτήτες των mall προσπαθούν να ενισχύσουν το κέντρο με διαφήμιση και διαχείριση.

: City Plaza

#πολυκατοικία #multiresidence #deadMalls

Malls have been a staple of the American way of life for the greater part of the 20th century. The name however didn't appear until 1957. In Greece, they weren't a thing until the 90's and the name Mall appeared in mid 00s

Τα μεγάλα εμπορικά κέντρα ήταν μια Αμερικανική πραγματικότητα για το μεγαλύτερο μέρος του 20ού αιώνα. Ο όρος mall εμφανίστηκε όμως το 1957. Στην Ελλάδα τα εμπορικά πήραν μπρος στα 90s και η λέξη mall πρωτοήρθε το 2005

#πολυκατοικία #νεκράΕμπορικά #multiresidence #deadMalls

Another artifact one can often see on the roofs are the ends reinforcement bars of the last floor, bare, waiting for the eventual construction of another floor, either due to the lack of money or the belief that in the future more floors would be allowed.

Μια παρόμοια κατάσταση περιγράφουν και οι γνωστές "αναμονές". Είτε την έλλειψη χρημάτων είτε την ελπίδα αύξησης του συντελεστή. Συνήθως εντελώς μάταιες καθώς είναι πολύ κοντές για να είναι χρήσιμές...

#πολυκατοικία #multiresidence

During the 90's some of the constructors attempted to diversify by copying the concept of the #multiresidence to shopping spaces. The success story didn't copy over however leading to #deadMalls

I will take you a tour in some of those next time

#timeTravel

Τη δεκαετία του '90 οι κατασκευαστές σε μια προσπάθεια καινοτομίας προσπάθησαν να αντιγράψουν την επιτχυχία της #πολυκατοικίας στα εμπορικά κέντρα. Απέτυχαν παταγωδώς. Aπό την επόμενη φορά βόλτα στα #νεκράΕμπορικά

#ΤαξίδιΣτοΧρόνο

The design is heavier on the eyes, The concrete of the facade is usually just painted without a plaster layer as used earlier.

This technique along with the easily stained large white surfaces didn't age well.

Βαρύτερα σχέδια επικράτησαν και το μπετόν της πρόσοψης βαφόταν απευθείας χωρίς σοβάτισμα.

Αυτή η τεχνική μαζί με τις μεγάλες λευκές επιφάνειες που λεκιάζουν έκανε τις πολυκατοικίες του 90 να παλιώσουν γρήγορα.

#πολυκατοικία #ΤαξίδιΣτοΧρόνο #multiresidence #timeTravel

Είναι σαν κάποιος να βρήκε έναν τεράστιο διακόπτη: "Από δω και πέρα όλες οι πολυκατοικίες θα είναι άσπρες με μαύρα καγκελάκια"

ΚΛΑΝΚ!

It's like somebody flicked a switch sometime during December 1989 :-)

"From now on and for about a decade all the apartment buildings will be white with black railings."

FLICK

#πολυκατοικία #ΤαξίδιΣτοΧρόνο #multiresidence #timeTravel

We spent another night and we still didn't touch the nineties. I have a lot of material for the 90's so let's wait for next time. For the time being, here are some more, presumably 80's multiresidences. Look at those colors.

Ξοδέψαμε άλλη μία νύχτα και ακόμα να μπούμε στο 90. Έχω όμως πολύ υλικό για τη δεκαετία της καινουργίλας οπότε θα το αφήσω για την επόμενη φορά. Για την ώρα μερικές ακόμα 80's (κατά πάσα πιθανότητα) πολυκατοικίες. Δείτε τα χρώματα.

#multiresidence #πολυκατοικία #concrete

Soon everybody did it and the price of the plot started reflecting the well-known secret. It had become impossible to be legal. Fast forward to the depression and the state promises to not fine for the violation for 40 years (I think) in exchange for a hefty fee.

Σύντομα όλοι έκλειναν τους ΗΥΧ και έτσι οι τιμές των οικοπέδων έφτασαν σε σημείο που δεν γινόταν να μην τους κλείσεις. Fast forward στην κρίση και ο τρόπος της κυβέρνησης να μαζέψει χρήμα, η "τακτοποίηση"

#πολυκατοικία #multiresidence

The definition of the semi-open space itself however lends to easy exploitation. It is open only from one side, and as such people started closing it off to gain one room. Since it doesn't stick out of the #multiresidence like a balcony it's very difficult to see the violation from outside.

Ο ίδιος ο ορισμός του ημιυπαίθριου τον κάνει εύκολο να τον κλείσεις. Ο ΗΥΧ δεν εξέχει σαν μπαλκόνι και έτσι η αυθαιρεσία δεν φαίνεται απ'έξω.

#πολυκατοικία

Thus the "semi-open" space was made "free", i.e. it was possible to build semi-open spaces in excess of the total allowed surface up to a point. Otherwise nobody would build one.

Έτσι, ο κανονισμός επιτρέπει τους ημιυπαίθριους επιπλέον του μέγιστου επιτρεπόμενου (ή "δεν μετρούν στο συντελεστή" όπως λέμε οι μηχανικοί) αλλιώς δεν θα τους έφτιαχνε κανένας.

#πολυκατοικία #multiresidence

Let me point out here something you've probably already deduced. The shape of the #multiresidence was almost always determined by how much useful space one could wring out of the regulation for a given plot. Athens had always so much demand for more residential space that the free market made sure plot prices were only viable if the constructor could exploit every last square meter. You can see all sorts of weird "hacks" like non-continuous columns just in order to gain a few more cm.

The term appeared in the GBR for the first time in 1985. The idea was to allow more open spaces in order to make #multiresidence architecture more interesting and the open spaces wider than the small balconies of the past.

In the photo the contrast of the semi-open space to the erker.

Ο όρος εμφανίζεται για πρώτη φορά στον ΓΟΚ του 85. Η ιδέα ήταν να φοθεί μια αρχιτεκτονική ελευθερία στην #πολυκατοικία και να μεγαλώσουν οι ανοιχτοί χώροι.

Στη φωτό αντίθεση του ημιυπαίθριου με το έρκερ.

Before going full on 90's let's talk about the notorious "semi-open" spaces. These are spaces inside the main building volume (i.e covered) but open to the elements from at least one side. The space behind the balcony in the picture

Πριν μπούμε στο '90 ας μιλήσουμε λίγο για τους περιβόητους ημιυπαίθριους. Σύμφωνα με το ΓΟΚ "ημιυπαίθριος χώρος είναι ο στεγασμένος χώρος του κτιρίου του οποίου μία τουλάχιστον πλευρά είναι ανοιχτή"

#multiresidence #πολυκατοικία

photo: ioniki.blogspot.com

You guessed correctly. Time to talk #multiresidence

Καλά το καταλάβατε Είναι ώρα για #πολυκατοικία

#timeTravel #ταξίδιΣτοΧρόνο

Bye for now, next time, the ninenties, whatever that means ;-)

o/

#multiresidence #timeTravel

A favorite song-maker has written a song about the #multiresidence, life so close to strangers, and the balconies we all spent so much time on, watching the others on their own balconies across the street.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zAoknfusn0

He talks about the girl that comes out to smoke, the swallows that made their home under the ledge, the party on the apartment across the street and the bedsheets, hanging to dry.

Lyrics in the description, gtranslate does an okay job if you want to know what it says

Even in 2011 and after the first ever population decline, Greece has 3 entries in the most densely populated areas in the world. 1 neighborhood in Thessaloniki (18th) and two in Athens (28th and 29th).

In 1980, in a world with 4.5b people these areas were probably in the top 10.

The #multiresidence despite its limited height can gather many many people together.

#timeTravel

Athens reaches a population plateau right about 1981. In the whole decade it is going to grow by a mere 50k people (inner city) and 100k people (prefecture) leading to a city of 3 and 3.5 million respectively.

The building of the picture was (according to the plaque on the entrance) in 1980 but it looks like the building permit was issued before 1973 (notice the bay windows/erker). The materials used though reveal it's age (aluminium/plastic)

#multiresidence #timeTravel

For anybody that would like to immerse in another time and place, here are 360° photos of the apartment. Taken with google cardboard camera.

https://c.d-e.gr/s/ncjB2NvrF5CoFx9

#multiresidence #timeTravel

I'd like to be able to have interior photos for this journey. I thought of trying to sneak into multiresidences pretending to be handing out flyers but it's too much of emotional effort to deal with suspicious residents.

However, due to the awesome work of the people of Athens Technopolis and the GR80's exhibition I have photos from a mock apartment as it was in the 80's. The apartment itself is (supposed to be) older. They even had actors dressed in 80's clothes!

#multiresidence #timeTravel

Hi again! The break between our tootstorms here has been getting longer and longer but since I'm doing this just for fun, work and general tiredness doesn't leave enough energy to research #multiresidence every day.

We where back at the 1980's. The kids of the 80's in Athens were in a great majority first generation Athenians. A very usual question during introductions in class was "Where are you from?" meaning, where did your parents come from.

I'm not yet finished with the 80's I have something interesting to show you, but I'll leave you wondering till next time.

Have a wonderful evening, I'm going out for a beer!

#multiresidence #timeTravel

The maximum allowed building height is not anymore calculated as a product of the maximum number of stories but it is derived by the "imaginary solid" we saw at the beginning of this journey. The result is slightly taller multiresidences but with much more, shorter floors.
If I get up right now I can touch the ceiling :-P

#multiresidence #timeTravel

In 1985 the GBR has it's biggest overhaul since its inception. The "continuous system" is no more and the building can be more freely positioned in the plot, allowing even bigger balconies as it moves towards the back. For the first time, provisions are made for the accessibility of all floors to wheelchairs, the elevator grows bigger and the grandiose entrance staircases are officially a thing of the past.

The #multiresidence has changed forever.

#timeTravel

The style changes immediately as if a switch was flipped on the turn of the decade. Exposed concrete, and curvy or chamfered corners are the new trends. The colors, just like everywhere else (fashion, makeup, tv sets) become warmer and more vibrant. Aluminium, usually bare, is now a must in doors and windows. Balconies grow in depth and are now called verandas.

#multiresidence #timeTravel

Thus in 1979 it becomes mandatory to create parking spaces with each building. However the constructor was allowed to pay instead, and most did. The idea was for the state to create these parking spaces, something that never happened, creating a sea of cars on every street.

#multiresidence #timeTravel

In 1954 there were 15000 cars in Greece. By 1985 there were 1250000, or 83 times more!

Athens doesn't have enough space for all the cars. The previous GBR of '73 allowed the pilotis, or the building of multiresidences on pillars to allow for ground floor parking, but this wasn't enough for the constructors to embrace it. Very few multiresidences actually did have pilotis before 1985.

#multiresidence #timeTravel

Missed me?

Time to talk about the #multiresidence again. In 1981 the Greek people voted for "change", But change wasn't just the new socialist government slogan. It what was about to come. Including the #multiresidence

#timeTravel

Αυτά για σήμερα, νομίζω την επόμενη φορά θα είμαστε έτοιμοι για τα 80's.

Καθώς θυμάμαι το τέλος εκείνης της δεκαετίας, έστω και αμυδρά, ανυπομονώ να σας πω γι'αυτήν.

Στη φωτό το κοντράστ του 60 με το 70

That was it for today, I think next time, we can move closer, to the 80's

Looking forward to it as I vaguely remember the tail end of that decade.

In the photo, a 60's #multiresidence foreground to the late 70's highrise

#timeTravel
#ΤαξίδιΣτοΧρόνο #πολυκατοικία

Στην αρχή του 70 τα έρκερ άρχισαν να εξαφανίζονται για χάριν μακρύτερων ανοικτών εξωστών. Ο ΓΟΚ73 μάλλον απλά επισημοποίησε τη νέα πρακτική. Το 2ο κτίριο έχει έρκερ αλλά κρυμμένα πίσω από προέκταση του μπαλκονιού.

In the early 70's the erkers started disappearing in favor of longer balconies. The new look was cleaner and more modern. The '73 GBR probably just followed the trend of the time. Note the hidden erkers in the second building.

#timeTravel #multiresidence
#ΤαξίδιΣτοΧρόνο #πολυκατοικία

Το πρώτο χτύπημα ήρθε πολλά χρόνια πριν, λίγο πριν τον πόλεμο όταν η κυβέρνηση Μεταξά μείωσε το μέγιστο πλάτος τους από 1.40 σε 40εκ. Αυτό κωδικοποιήθηκε στον ΓΟΚ55. Παρ'όλα αυτά μέχρι και τα 60's τα έρκερ ήταν παντού

The first blow to bay windows (called erkers) came years before, when in 1937 the maximum width was modified from 1.40m to 0.40 probably because of the same kind of abuse. Through the 60's however erkers were everywhere.

#timeTravel #multiresidence
#ΤαξίδιΣτοΧρόνο #πολυκατοικία

Not a regular episode today, but I have a few more toots about the 70's.

Έκτακτη εκπομπή σήμερα με μερικά συμπληρωματικά τουτ για τη δεκαετία του 70.

#timeTravel #multiresidence
#ΤαξίδιΣτοΧρόνο #πολυκατοικία

Δεν έχω δει θυρωρό σε πολυκατοικία εδώ και πολλά πολλά χρόνια. Θυμάμαι αμυδρά το θυρωρό της γειτονικής πολυκατοικίας (δεν είναι αυτή της φωτόγραφίας) όταν πήγαινα ακόμα δημοτικό. Σίγουρα ένας από τους τελευταίους.

I haven't seen a doorman in a multiresidence for many many years. I vaguely remember the doorman of the bulding next to ours (not pictured) when I was still a little kid. Surely one of the last of his kind.

#timeTravel #multiresidence
#ΤαξίδιΣτοΧρόνο #πολυκατοικία

Η #πολυκατοικία που είναι το γραφείο μου έχει ένα διαμέρισμα που ήταν κάποτε το σπίτι του θυρωρού. Τώρα το νοικιάζει η πολυκατοικία και τα χρήματα πάνε στα κοινόχρηστα για συντήρηση του κτιρίου.

The #multiresidence where our office is, has an apartment which is jointly owned by all owners. It used to be the dwelling of the doorman and now the building council rents it, with the proceeds going towards maintenance.

#timeTravel #ΤαξίδιΣτοΧρόνο

Πολλές πολυκατοικίες είχαν θυρωρό. Φαίνεται πως αυτή η πρακτική κορυφώθηκε γύρω στο 70. Εγώ δεν τους πρόλαβα. Θυρωρός σήμαινε διαμέρισμα στην πολυκατοικία με πληρωμένο ρεύμα και νερό συν μισθός

Here's another interesting tidbit. Many of these buildings had a doorman. I don't know when this practice peaked but I tend to see the doorman's desk in entrances of 70's #multiresidences. Being a doorman meant free lodging, a salary and usually free utilities

#timeTravel #ΤαξίδιΣτοΧρόνο #πολυκατοικία

Παράλληλα η κλασική #πολυκατοικία αποκτά χιλιάδες νέα αντίγραφα, με νέα υλικά όπως αλουμίνιο και πλαστικό και λιγότερα παράθυρα. Λείες επιφάνειες, γυαλί και λιγότερα στολίδια είναι το νέο στυλ.

The rest of the city continued business as usual. Thousands of #multiresidences fill up any remaining space while the design changed only slightly, with less ornament and smoother surfaces. New materials, aluminium and plastic appear & windows disappear

#timeTravel
#ΤαξίδιΣτοΧρόνο

In my opinion it's a shame we don't have more of these buildings.

I wouldn't want them dominating the cityscape because they subtract from the cosiness of the local neighborhood and make the surrounding streets significantly less lively, but a few in-between are local landmarks in the city skyline.

Their size, tidiness, and the green open space that surrounds them makes them a very nice variation in the city grid.

#multiresidence #timeTravel

Στα 70's αυτό άλλαξε. Οι νέες σούπερ πολυκατοικίες μοιάζουν πιο πολύ με tower blocks του Λονδίνου και ουρανοξύστες παρά με πολυκατοικές. Φυσικά πάντοτε υπάρχουν μπαλκόνια.

In the seventies however this changed. The large residential building was influenced by tower blocks such as those we can see in London and of course, the skyscrapers. Balconies however are here this time too because nice weather.

#timeTravel #multiresidence
#ΤαξίδιΣτοΧρόνο #πολυκατοικία

Το εβδομήντα έρχεται και η Αθήνα πρέπει να γίνει μια σύγχρονη δυτική πρωτεύουσα και αυτό μεταφράζεται σε ψηλά κτίρια. Τι σημαίνει αυτό όμως για την #πολυκατοικία; Καλησπέρα κιόλας :-Ρ

70's are up and Athens must become a modern western capital, and that translated into high rise buildings. What does that mean for the #multiresidence? Oh, and hi :-P

#timeTravel #ΤαξίδιΣτοΧρόνο

Δεν ήταν ούτε η ανάπτυξη όμως, ούτε η ανοικοδόμηση που σημάδεψαν το 60. Ήταν η δικτατορία. Και όπως επηρέασε κάθε πτυχή της ζωής επηρέασε και την #πολυκατοικία. Σας αφήνω με μια πολυκατοικία που δίνει μια γεύση 70

However the 60's in Greece aren't remembered for either the economy nor the urbanization. The military coup of 67 is the event of the decade and it had its impact on the #multiresidence too
Goodnight with a late 60's building that gives a glimpse of what's to come.

#ΤαξίδιΣτοΧρόνο

Αρκετά με τα στατιστικά. Ας δούμε πως μοιάζει η #πολυκατοικία του 60. 4 πολυκατοικίες στον ίδιο δρόμο, από τον ίδιο κατασκευαστή, το πρώτο μισό των 60's. Τα μπαλκόνια μεγαλώνουν, τα στολίδια μειώνονται και εμφανίζεται το γυάλινο καγκελάκι

Enough with numbers. How do 60's #multiresidences look like? 4 buildings by the same company, on the same avenue, all between 60-65. Ornaments vanish, balconies get longer and in 64 we can see the glass railing is already a trend

#timeTravel
#ΤαξίδιΣτοΧρόνο

Η Ελλάδα του '60 είναι μια αγροτική χώρα. Σχεδόν οι μισές κατοικίες είναι αγροτικές και παρόλα αυτά μόνο το 4% έχουν εσωτερική υδραυλική εγκατάσταση. Η εικόνα είναι παρόμοια και στις άλλες οικιακές ανέσεις.

Remember that Agriculture is the biggest sector back then. Almost half of the residences are rural. At the same time only 4% of those have water supply inside the house. The stats for other home facilities paint the same picture.

#timeTravel #multiresidence
#ΤαξίδιΣτοΧρόνο #πολυκατοικία

Και καθώς μετακομίζουν κατά συρροήν στην πόλη βελτιώνουν την ποιότητα ζωής τους αφάνταστα. Κατά την απογραφή του '61 μόνο το 30% των ελληνικών σπιτιών έχει παροχή νερού μέσα στο σπίτι. Στην Αθήνα το νούμερο είναι 64%, και στις πολυκατοικίες 100%

Moving to Athens in the 60's means an immense improvement in quality of life. No multiresidence is without water supply while nationally only 30% of homes have water inside.
#timeTravel #multiresidence
#ΤαξίδιΣτοΧρόνο #πολυκατοικία

Οι Έλληνες κυριολεκτικά συνωστίζονται για να κατέβουν στην Αθήνα. Ενδεικτικά, από τις 327 6όροφες (5 + ισόγειο) πολυκατοικίες που χτίστηκαν το 1961 σε όλη την επικράτεια, οι 283 ή αλλιώς ~87% (!) χτίζονται στην Αθήνα. Αυτό συνεχίζεται τα επόμενα έτη.

Greeks literally flock to Athens. From the 327 6-storey multiresidences built in the nation in 1961, 283 are in Athens. This is almost 87%(!). This continues during the following years.

#timeTravel #multiresidence
#ΤαξίδιΣτοΧρόνο #πολυκατοικία

Στο πρώτο μισό της δεκαετίας του '60 η οικονομία συνεχίζει να αναπτύσσεται με ρυθμούς που αγγίζουν ακόμα και το 10%. Η οικοδομή αποτελεί περίπου το 6% της οικονομίας και αναπτύσσεται ακόμα ταχύτερα με ρυθμούς μέχρι και 16%

During the first half of the 60's the economy is rallying forward with annual GDP increase peaked at over 10%. Construction accounts for ~6% of the GDP but increases even faster.

#timeTravel #multiresidence
#ΤαξίδιΣτοΧρόνο #πολυκατοικία

Stats from statistics.gr (ΕΛΣΤΑΤ)

As we move forward in time things get more interesting and I have more data. So looking forward to next time and the 1960's

Bye for now

Όσο προχωράμε στις δεκαετίες τα πράγματα γίνονται πιο ενδιαφέροντα καθώς έχω περισσότερα δεδομένα. Για την ώρα μπορείτε να κάνετε μόστρα στους φίλους σας αναγνωρίζοντας στο δρόμο πολυκατοικίες του 50. Σας αφήνω.

#πολυκατοικία #ΤαξίδιΣτοΧρόνο #multiresidence #timeTravel

While I'm showing you a few more buildings, let's talk balconies. Balconies now start taking almost all the length of the facade (ironically unlike the pictured). Usually they extend over the sidewalk creating a relatively safe from the weather space.

Τα μπαλκόνια σιγά σιγά μεγαλώνουν και (αντιθέτως με τη φωτογραφία) πιάνουν σχεδόν όλη την πρόσοψη. Εκτείνονται πάνω από το πεζοδρόμιο προστατεύοντας τους πεζούς από τη βροχή.

#πολυκατοικία #ΤαξίδιΣτοΧρόνο #multiresidence #timeTravel #1950's

Remember this picture? The building on the right is around 20 years younger than the middle one. Yet the style is way more conservative. It took another 20 for the modern style to come back in fashion in multiresidences.

Θυμάστε αυτή την εικόνα, η δεξιότερη πολυκατοικία μπορεί να μην το δείχνει αλλά είναι 20 χρόνια νεότερη από τη μεσαία. Η μοντέρνα αρχιτεκτονική στις πολυκατοικίες θα περιμένει άλλα 20 πριν επανέλθει στο προσκήνιο.

#πολυκατοικία #ΤαξίδιΣτοΧρόνο #multiresidence #timeTravel

This is a 1950's modern style building. Still, the windows, partitions and shutters do tell its age despite the different architectural style.

Να μια πολυκατοικία του '50 σε μοντέρνο στυλ. Παρά το μοντέρνο στυλ, κουφώματα, χωρίσματα και καγκελάκια μαρτυρούν τη δεκαετία.

#πολυκατοικία #ΤαξίδιΣτοΧρόνο #multiresidence #timeTravel

In GBR55 we can find the first mention of a "sidewalk arcade" which is a recess in the first floor extending the sidewalk inwards, creating a covered commercial space (1st photo).

This allows us to date multiresidences as before '55 and after. Before 55 buildings are flush with the sidewalk, interrupting the arcade (2nd photo)

#multiresidence #timeTravel

In 1955 the new General Building Regulation came into effect. The previous one in 1929 was the one that actually blessed the creation of the #multiresidence by establishing what we say "horizontal ownership" i.e. the possibility to own just an apartment. This one is the one that actually defined how the city looks like since it was in effect during the construction of the majority of multiresidences.

#timeTravel

The dominant style still has classicist notes, and ornamental steel is everywhere, from railings to entrance doors. The facade however starts to have a more visible grid and ornaments are way less than those of the previous years.

Shutters and windows are still wooden and we can see bay windows and recessed balconies. From now on, every inch of space allowed by regulations will be used.

#multiresidence #timeTravel

Let's jump ahead to the 50's then where I have a few examples to show you

The war is now over and rebuilding has started. The economy more than doubles between 1952 and 1958. Urbanization is still in full force and Athens needs houses for another half a million people, fast

Over 200000 new dwellings are being constructed during 54-59 no doubt many of them in multiresidences. Though as we've seen in the aerial photos the cityscape isn't dominated yet

Photo of a 1959 #multiresidence #timeTravel

You'll have noticed that I have switched from talking about the #multiresidence in general to talking about Athens, specifically. This is because I live here and my capacity to survey other cities is limited, as well as because according to stats Athens has the great bulk of construction activity at least through the 60's

#multiresidence #timeTravel

Athens during the war experienced a great famine. In spite of that it still gained a quarter of a million new residents during the 40's and had almost 1.4m residents by 1951

Η Αθήνα παρά τη μεγάλη πείνα της κατοχής συνέχισε να μεγαλώνει και έφτασε τους 1.4εκ κατοίκους το 1951, 250χιλ περισσότερους από ότι πριν ξεκινήσει ο πόλεμος. Η αστικοποίηση ήταν ασταμάτητη.

#πολυκατοικία #ΤαξίδιΣτοΧρόνο #multiresidence #timeTravel

This toot is missing a photo, here it is #multiresidence

@rubah it's nice. There are many many nice doors around. In fact doors are the reason I started this theme. We usually dismiss these buildings as unworthy copies made en masse for profit. But looking at these gates one can see that these architects actually tried to create something different, something delightful for the dwellers to see every day, and the constructors happily paid for the extravagance.

Current trend has less ornate, less luxurious entrances.

#multiresidence

And this is the last #multiresidence for today. Fabras' building on Patission Ave, quite different from the others we saw till now.

Η #πολυκατοικία Φαμπρά του μεσοπολέμου, στην Πατησίων είναι η τελευταία για σήμερα. Αρκετά διαφορετικό στυλ από αυτά που είδαμε ως τώρα.

Lanaras' #multiresidence from between the wars.

Μεσοπολεμική #πολυκατοικία Λαναρά.

#ταξίδιΣτοΧρόνο #timeTravel

St. George and the lovely square in front of it, one of the dozens of neigborhood squares of Athens, always lively at any time of day or night all times of a year. A reason to love this city.

Η εκκλησία Αγ. Γεωργίου Κυψέλης και η ομώνυμη πλατεία. Μία από τις δεκάδες πλατείες της Αθήνας, πάντα ζωντανή μέρα νύχτα, όλο το χρόνο. Είναι ένας λόγος που αγαπώ την Αθήνα.

#πολυκατοικία #multiresidence

Voulgaris' #multiresidence from 1938. Entrance

#πολυκατοικία Βούλγαρη, 1938. Είσοδος

#ταξίδιΣτοΧρόνο #timeTravel

Voulgaris' #multiresidence from 1938. Once again, small balconies, masonry railings, tilting wooden shutters, warm, earthy colors.

#πολυκατοικία Βούλγαρη, 1938.

Για άλλη μια φορά μικρά μπαλκόνια, χτιστά καγκελάκια, ζεστά γήινα χρώματα, ξύλινα ανακλινόμενα παντζούρια.

#ταξίδιΣτοΧρόνο #timeTravel

This one is even older. It's a 1920's #multiresidence. I can only imagine how it looked lime to the Athenians of the time...

Μια από τις παλαιότερες πολυκατοικίες που κατάφερα να εντοπίσω. Είναι απο τη δεκαετία του 20 και δείχνει απόλυτα λειτουργική. Μπορώ μό.ο να φανταστώ πως φάταζε το θηρίο αυτό στους Αθηναίους της εποχής.

Μόλις που φαίνεται εδώ η #πολυκατοικία Πικιώνη πίσω από τα δέντρα.

This is Pikionis' #multiresidence behind Victoria square. Barely visible behind the foliage.

#ταξίδιΣτοΧρόνο #timeTravel #1936

I'm about to cross Patission Ave. It's Kypseli from now on. We respect Kypseli. It might be a bit deprived now but it was the place to be when Athens grew to be the city that it is today. Consequently the #multiresidences are quite large and luxurious here.

Μόλις πέρασα την Πατησίων και βρίσκομαι και επισήμως στην Κυψέλη. Αγαπάμε την Κυψέλη γιατι παρά το ότι είναι λίγο υποβαθμισμένη πλέον, ήταν το in μέρος του 20ού αιώνα. Έτσι οι πολυκατοικίες εδώ είναι μεγάλες και πολυτελείς.

#πολυκατοικία

Another Nicolaides #multiresidence. I won't tell you which one, you find it.

Άλλη μία #πολυκατοικία του Νικολαΐδη. Ποια από τις τρεις; Βγάλτε μια κόλλα χαρτί να δω αν προσέχατε.

#timeTravel #ταξίδιΣτοΧρόνο #1934

Another interesting #multiresidence that looks like it's from that era but has no marks. As we walk out of exarchia you can see some walls left relatively clean.

Ακόμα μια ενδιαφέρουσα #πολυκατοικία ίσως εκείνης της εποχής. Ποιος ξέρει όμως...

btw the building was initially bright blue due to the recommendation of a well known painter named Spyros Papaloukas, it was either painted over a lighter color at some point or the blue color washed out (you can see a blue tint in the grey parts).

It appears thag very recently there has been a coordinated effort to repaint blue. The patchwork paint is probably due to fragmented ownership.

#blueCondominium #multiresidence #timeTravel

Η μπλέ #πολυκατοικία η οποία μπορεί να έχει ξεβάψει αλλά ξαναγίνεται μπλε σιγά σιγά με κατά τόπους ανακαινίσεις. Έχει μεγάλη ιστορία και πιθανώς βοήθησε τα εξάρχεια να γίνουν η επαναστατική γειτονιά της Αθήνας. Ενδιαφέρον ντοκιμαντέρ: http://archive.ert.gr/70173/

The blue #multiresidence or blue condominium. It has a colorful history, besides being blue. It harboured cells of the resistance during German occupation and probably gave Exarchia part of their rebellious character.

1933 #timeTravel

I don't know how old is this one but looks like turn-of-the-century.

Is it a #multiresidence? Debatable.

Δεν γνωρίζω του πότε είναι αυτό αλλά φαίνεται να είναι αρχές ρου προηγούμενου αιώνα.

είναι #πολυκατοικία; Συζητήσιμο.

...and like that we're now deep into Exarcheia, where not an inch of accessible wall is not covered in grafitti and street art. #multiresidence

και να'μαστε στα θρυλικά Εξάρχεια όπου δεν υπάρχει ίχνος τοίχου χωρίς grafitti ή street art
#πολυκατοικία

#AthensIsTheNewBerlin they say...

B. Douras #multiresidence from between the wars. I'd say it's in a pretty good state for a building mora than 80 years old.

Μεσοπολεμική #πολυκατοικία Δούρα. Είναι σε αρκετά καλή κατάσταση για πολυκατοικία 82 ετών.

#timeTravel #ταξίδιΣτοΧρόνο

Another #multiresidence by the same architect, recently renovated. It makes a world of difference in how it looks.

#timeTravel

This is the Nicolaides #multiresidence of 1935

All the buildings of this block facing Akadimias Ave look like they are from the same era (2nd and 3rd photo). The city has started to look like the future.

#timeTravel

Still in Kolonaki and walking towards Exarchia one can see Nicolaides #multiresidence from between the wars. Still missing the surrounding balconies but the shape and facade starts to look really familliar.

Have in mind that regulation is sparse and murky back then, possibly non-existent or case-by-case.

#timeTravel

We are now square in Kolonaki one of the most posh neighborhoods of Athens. Expensive boutiques and wine bars all around. It makes sense that multiresidences here are a bit more luxurious and expensive. I can only imagine this also being true in 1932 when this one was built. Architect: Vogiatzis

It's style is a mixture of the old Athenian house and the modern #multiresidence

#TimeTravel

Some constructors engraved their name on the marble near the entrance. I wish more of them did. Some even included the construction year. Pure gold!

#multiresidence

Another #multiresidence from the mid-war period, by Mourouzis. Balconies are still mostly decorative rather than utilitarian. We can see the classic tilting wooden shutters, and both masonry and metallic baclony railings. The railings will later be a major facilitator in dating unknown buildings.

#timeTravel

We #TimeTravel forward once again to 1933 for this #multiresidence by K. Mavrommatis

It's starting to look more like the recent buildings but it still hasn't shed its heavy ornamentation.

Let's go back to our #TimeTravel and the 1920's

These 3 #multiresidences are all built between 1927 and 1929.

The typology has not yet settled to the later style with the single, surrounding balconies and the style is eclecticist, except the Argentinian embassy building on the right which has been stripped of it's facade in a later renovation.

Walking down Queen Sofia Ave. a few interesting ovservations:

1. This is a premium main avenue where no stores are allowed. Result? Majestic #multiresidence entrances.

2. Multiresidences are quite tidy compared to other locations

3. Multiresidences are not residences anymore, but have transformed to office buildings full of engineering, law, medical and other practices.

Let's make today's #multiresidence threads a bit different.

I have mapped some buildings I know were built between the wars, I will head out now to find and photograph them and live-toot the journey.

Come along.

#TimeTravel

I will make an effort to post more photos of 30's #multiresidences (mine, this time). Until then, have fun.

#TimeTravel

At this point I have to say that I don't have a way to find out which #multiresidence was built at which decade, especially for the few in-between 30's buildings. (Later buildings are so many that I can find enough of them labeled with a date).

Consequently these 30's buildings are all noteworthy one way or another and I found them in a book about Athenian architecture. Thus they probably are not typical of the era. However the #multiresidence wasn't typical anyway.

#TimeTravel

A few 30's #multiresidences. Pictures stolen from street view and wikipedia because I didn't manage to go photograph them in time.

Architects are still trying different forms and styles but the type is starting to take its final shape.

#TimeTravel

The 20's increase in population is a blip compared to the explosion of the 30's. Athens grew almost 3-fold in that decade, reaching 1120K residents just days before the war reached it's gates.

It's becoming obvious that the city has to grow vertically. The various neighborhoods start to split from the Athenian's Demos (municipality) which was overarching until then. The #multiresidence is born.

#TimeTravel

Let's go back to Athens of the 1920's. Population increases rapidly from 300K to 400K in just 8 years. I do not have data so I can only speculate that the city hosted the new residents by expanding horizontally with residences such as the one in the picture.

#multiresidence #TimeTravel

And another one, from before the turn of the century. The same theme continues through to the 1910's and since I have no additional information about that decade we will skip through that and the next one and move straight to the 30's which is a prolific decade. Next time...

#multiresidence #TimeTravel

However, we can see that in the bourgeois housing of the period, common themes are the carved porous stone, the first uses of the balcony, the arches and the wooden doors. The houses were at most double-story and had small openings to deal with the ample sunshine of the region.

#TimeTravel #multiresidence

I'm pretty sure that the homes of regular folks weren't that elaborate but such homes simply did not survive.

I happen to know from my dad that common people homes were made from plinths. This one probably was a bourgeois home of the era.

#multiresidence #TimeTravel

The thing is I have no idea how the housing was in Greece in the 1900's :-P

However, fortunately, the builders in Cyprus had a habit of recording the date of construction in the decorations of house entrances, so we have the next best thing. This is a typical Nicosian house of the 1900's

#multiresidence #TimeTravel

The #arcade of the pictures is a recent attempt of the authorities to artificially revive a historical arcade.

They gave away the stores for a limited time to upstart merchants that explored innovative or creative arts and crafts, such as 3D printing, hat-making, silkscreen printing etc.

They also decorated the arcade with old illuminated signs.

Unfortunately this ran for a single cycle and was then abandoned. It is now home to a few homeless people.

#multiresidence

The demise of the arcades came along the advances on human communications. Professionals did not need to be close to their customers anymore as long as they were a fax away. Specialised stores are now scattered all over Athens some even in otherwise residential areas. Web sales and home delivery have negated the need for clustering in the center. In fact it's better to be away now because it's easier for your customers to park their vehicles to pick up their shopping.

#multiresidence #arcades

This meant that there wasn't nearly enough space on the ground floor of the #multiresidences to host all these businesses. The developers vowed to increase commercial space by creating walkways through the buildings connecting parallel streets.

These walkways became known as the arcades and they were for many many years vibrant like small shopping centers. Some of them expand underground to the first basement.

A few are still pretty much alive. Then again, most are not.

I told you a few days ago that the #multiresidence apartment was way more luxurious than the house Greek internal migrants left behind. I just happened to be staying in such a house for a few days. I do not know for sure if this was typical of the era but I believe so. Some photos:

In a more positive note, one of the effects of fragmentation is that a home owner doesn't leave his dwelling too easily. This makes ghetoization harder and while we have seen some areas degrade over time, we don't have outright ghettos. There is also no place for forced degradation from big landlords in order to facilitate new developments, as there's always somebody who won't sell.

#multiresidence

On a side-note, the specific local market in the photos, was almost eradicated. I didn't think it would ever be alive again since the network effects were decimated. It seems though I was wrong as new stores have started popping up. It looks like another set of effects, those of historical usage pile up on top of network effects giving the place another chance, and me a hope that the crisis hasn't crippled the character of the city forever. #multiresidence

Another effect of fragmented ownership is that not all local stores can organize into Open Malls. Especially during the recent protracted financial downturn and especially in places were malls opened nearby, local markets took a hit or were outright eradicated. The concentrated advertising effort of big malls, events, offers and synergies with super-markets and multiplexes make them a very attractive destination.
#multiresidence

What is going to happen with all these EOL buildings? Owners up to now only renovate apartment interiors ignoring the safety of the building overall. What shall we do to avoid a L'Aquila incident? This scenario already scares me. #multiresidence

In addition to failing concrete, these buildings have 60 or more years of disrepair piled up on the questionable building practices of the mid-20th century. And this is not only theoretical. At the office, we routinely get commissioned to evaluate the state of such buildings and our response is usually something like: "GET OUT OF THERE and call someone to fix it". There are however, many buildings in a very good condition.

#multiresidence

photos that show cut rebars among other problems

I have a few more things pertaining to city life and the #multiresidence but I think these are enough for today, so we'll leave it for next time.

The other huge issue of the #multiresidence is the environmental impact. Each one of the thousands of buildings has a seperate fossil fuel (usually diesel, now some have natural gas) heating system. This is an enormous environmental issue as it is almost impossible to replace all this infrastructure with something that uses renewable energy.

State initiatives like common open spaces between #multiresidences of the same block have failed spectacularly to gain traction as consensus between the 400 or so co-owners of a block is extremely difficult, even though there are motives in place giving them increased building space allowance.

Consensus is hard even between owners of the same building leaving facades in disrepair and multiple antennas on each roof even though only one is allowed.

(image from https://issuu.com/nikoni1/docs/___________________________________)

We have been mostly praising the #multiresidence up to now, but it also has a few fairly bad consequences for the life in the city. The fragmented ownership makes consensus hard and the city ends up with all kinds of redundant antennae, split A/C units hung everywhere, satellite dishes, solar panels, awnings of different colors and illegal constructions.

It also makes replacing the whole building very very hard.

If you are walking around Athens you can find such a square every roughly 500m. Most of these squares have a place to eat (usually gyro) a local bookie, a coffee place, kiosk and other everyday stores.

The map has some of these squares marked with, erm, squares in an area I know quite well. I'm certain I didn't remember all of them though.

#multiresidence

The local market allowed the city resident (at least in Athens) to center their life around the local square or small park. This galvanized the notion of the neighborhood as a cluster and building block of the greater city.

Living in one of these neighborhoods one will encounter the same faces again and again bridging the life in a city of millions with that of a medium-sized village.

#multiresidence

Not all #multiresidences have stores on the ground floor. In many streets they have apartments (mostly below street level, but not entirely below ground) or storage spaces.

I don't know whether there was some kind of regulation as to where each kind of ground floor was built. The different kinds are clustered but not absolutely pointing to a less rigid decision process.

(photo is not mine, I found it on image search)

Some noteworthy attempts to formalize the open mall character of local markets have emerged so that local stores can stay competitive against big malls. One such effort is http://www.piraeusopenmall.gr/

#multiresidence

This also means that some streets failed to accumulate the critical commercial mass required to become local markets (or dropped below that mass at some point) and ended up in decay and abandonment.

#multiresidence

This means that the stores that are usually situated on the ground floor are also small and sometimes even smaller as they have been split in order to be easier to sell or rent. This abundance of small stores allows the formation of local markets.

These local markets along with the good weather has fended off the attack of the giant mall for many many years.

In fact many of these local markets are spontaneous, open malls.

#multiresidence

The #multiresidence, even taking account the big ones like the one in the photos, is a small residential building, compared to the tower blocks that one can find abroad.

According to wikipedia, during the 1950-1973 period, the Greek economy grew by an average of 7.7%, second in the world only to Japan.

I think it is not a stretch to argue that the #multiresidence had a lot to do with the nation's economic growth.

The #multiresidence however also helped alleviate the effects of the current depression. With home ownership in 2006 at almost 85%, 20% more than EU and US average, large scale homelessness was avoided.

Take a look at these four aerial photographs. They were taken in 1953, 1959, 1979 and 1995

You can spot the new #multiresidences by the white color of their roofs. As you can see the whole thing happened between 1959 and 1979 while after that the changes are minimal.

I can only speculate that when, during the 60's, 70's and 80's Athens (and probably all major cities in Greece) were being mass-built this percentage was quite a lot higher than during the past 20 years when there is no more space for buildup.

This assumption ignores Public Works. Both eras had major Public Works projects going on and I assume (without having concrete data to do that) that they cancel each other out.

#multiresidence

This is the result of "provision-in-lieu" is this however the only result? Maybe it is the only result we can see today?

Tomorrow we'll try to figure out how the #multiresidence affected the economy and how the economy affected the multiresidence. Stay tuned.

This transaction, the barter of the plot of land with apartments in the #multiresidence to be built in it, became so common that it got a name. It was called "antiparochi" which could best be translated as "provision-in-lieu"

Let's go back to the guy living in the house in the previous picture. When a #multiresidence developer would come and offer to replace that house with 2 or 3 luxurious apartments of the same size with no additional cost, for him it would probably seem like he just won the lottery.

P.S. read the caption

(I will pause here to bust a common myth. The myth says that Athens was full of brilliant neo-classical buildings that were torn down to be replaced with yet another #multiresidence. This is simply not true. While there is a number of such buildings, photos of which continuously re-circulate reminding us of the crime, they were not the majority. The majority was houses such as this, and one can verify this claim by perusing old photographs of Athens)

Amenities in #multiresidence apartments were years ahead what was common in agricultural homes. Central heating, appliances, hot water and telephone were all things of the future for people who came from homes where a hard floor was not a given. Stuff like marble floors, double glass doors and brass handlebars were probably seen as royal luxuries.

That is all folks, for today.

We will continue, hopefully tomorrow, with how the #multiresidence became the main vehicle of urban development and a major part of the economy, and we will study the effects on the life of the new urban residents.

Bye with another, glitchy, entrance.

We usually like to deride the #multiresidence as being ugly, disrepaired and visually noisy. All three are true but I can argue that the alternate solutions are not that better in retrospect.

Let's leave Athens for a while so we can travel to Europe. Urbanization was a thing since the industrial revolution, maybe before but it really exploded during the 20th century. The images depict how Italians, Englishmen and Soviets dealt with the issue. #multiresidence

A classic example of such a building is the blue condominium (picture). Designed in 1933 by K. Panagiotakos took it's name from its original blue color chosen by painter S.Papaloukas. The building has been a part of the modern history of Athens and has been home to several influential people as well as being the setting of a TV series. Today, the building is painted white. #multiresidence

The #multiresidence started being a thing between the two world wars. The neoclassical elements that most buildings adopted up to then gave way to modernism and the first #multiresidence᠎s started showing up in the center of Athens.

The reason is that regulation stipulates that the #multiresidence cannot exceed an "imaginary solid" which is formed by the projection of the plot border upwards and an angled plane that starts at the opposite side of the street at a 1:1.5 slope.