2014-03-22

Gazi: an afternoon walk in Athens' entertainment district


The district of Gazi, about a mile west of Athens city center is nowadays one of the main entertainment / nightlife hubs of Athens. This was initially the site of a gasworks factory (hence the name), planned by a certain French businessman named Francis Feralde in 1857, outside of city borders of the time, and constructed in various phases. It remained in operation in various forms from 1860 till 1984. The area around the factory was a neighborhood of laborers employed in the factory as well as connected businesses, living, even till today, in small, one-floor houses, more reminiscent of a village than a city neighborhood. 
In the last 30 years, a number of events have transformed the area: the closing of the factory, its designation as an historic landmark and subsequent transformation into an exhibition / concert space operated by the City of Athens, the (initial) fall of property prices and subsequent opening of various bars, pubs, restaurants, etc. with various loft apartments and architectural offices joining the party in the last 10-15 years. A major boost was given in 2007 with the opening of the "Kerameikos" Metro Station in the center of the district. Connection with other major pedestrian streets further enhances the area's attractiveness.

Here, I present you some photographs from an afternoon walk a couple of years ago. This is the quiet time of the day at Gazi, before the throngs of party-goers and club-revelers start pouring in...

Persefonis St., Gazi, Athens

An old-time coffee shop at Orfeos St., Gazi, Athens

Tapas bar at Dekeleon St., Gazi, Athens

Lots of abandoned buildings and graffiti, Gazi, Athens

Graffiti for all..., Gazi, Athens

Even more abandoned buildings and graffiti, Gazi, Athens

Entrance of a modern apartment building, Gazi, Athens

Old-timers, chit-chatting and painting the house at the same time, Gazi, Athens

Old, one-store houses and DIY greenery, Gazi, Athens

Bright red house, Gazi, Athens

One of many bars, at Konstantinoupoleos St., Gazi, Athens

Even more space for street art and graffiti, Gazi, Athens

Old lady crossing the railroad tracks [currently not in use], parallel to Konstantinoupoleos St., Gazi, Athens

More bars, at Konstantinoupoleos St., Gazi, Athens

Harley-Davidson Greek Club, at Konstantinoupoleos St., Gazi, Athens

Crossing the railroad tracks [currently not in use], parallel to Konstantinoupoleos St., Gazi, Athens

Entrance of the Kerameikos Metro Station, Gazi/Kerameikos, Athens, Greece

View from inside Kerameikos Metro Station, through a glass roof, to the Athens sky, Gazi/Kerameikos, Athens, Greece

Bar at Sofroniou St., Gazi, Athens

One of the buildings of Technopolis-Gazi in the background, the entrance of the Metro Station in the foreground, Kerameikos-Gazi, Athens, Greece

Buildings of Technopolis-Gazi in the background, with the outer area of Kerameikos Metro Station in the foreground, Kerameikos-Gazi, Athens, Greece

A building of Technopolis-Gazi in the background, with the small square / meeting point at the entrance of Kerameikos Metro Station in the foreground, Kerameikos-Gazi, Athens, Greece

The entrance of Kerameikos Metro Station, on Gazi central square




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