2023-07-13 03:30:05
In the center of Athens, from Exarchia Square to Methonis Street, the walls and the flyers scattered in the aisles speak to passers-by: “Stop gentrification! », “Tourists, go home! », “Live your myth in Greece with a salary of 650 euros. » In this alternative district, at the forefront of protest movements since the uprising in 1973 of students from the Ecole Polytechnique once morest the military junta (1967-1974), the inhabitants have already been opposed for several years to the development of seasonal rentals and standardization of this area without banks or large retailers. But, despite this resistance, Exarchia has become one of the most popular spots for foreign investors.
While the summer heat lulls Athenians in the middle of the followingnoon, the shaded and narrow pedestrianized Methonis Street is animated by the sounds of drills. At number 57, a building of three floors has been dismembered and only a few plants on the ground floor bear witness to a human presence. The retiree who has lived in this accommodation for forty years has not yet finished her move. Investors want to put the twelve apartments on the market as soon as possible to make seasonal rentals. Konstantinos Mouchtaridis, a 26-year-old artist, left his roommate located at 2e floor of the building on 1is May.
“We were notified that the owners of our building, two brothers, had decided to sell last summer. Initially, they wanted us to leave following three months, but we didn’t let that happen.”, says the young man. During the winter, he explains that he was under various pressures to leave: repeated visits from engineers, architects and other technicians; heating switched off; no more cleaning companies for the common areas… According to him, the same investors have already bought several buildings in this street and in another a little further. “They are in a logic of profit and do not care to hunt old people, or students! », he is indignant. After several months of searching, Konstantinos managed to find a studio in another area further from the city center.
Apartments transformed into studios
Au 3e floor of 57 rue Methonis lived Despina Tsouma, a lawyer. “I stayed there for almost thirty years. It was my house, my office, it was above all where I felt good. I felt a lot of anger and sadness to be thrown out of my house”, she admits still moved. The two owners « got tired of managing the building alone” and wanted to sell but did not consult the tenants. “Half of us were ready to buy our apartments, but they didn’t want to know”emphasizes M.me Tsouma.
You have 76.3% of this article left to read. The following is for subscribers only.
1689600258
#center #Athens #accelerated #uncontrolled #gentrification
