Makedonia Palace

Makedonia Palace is a five-star hotel on Megalou Alexandrou Avenue along Thessaloniki's eastern waterfront in northern Greece. Opened in 1972, the property was designed by architect Constantinos Apostolou Doxiadis and became one of the defining buildings of the city's modern seafront. Its architecture is associated with an expressive austerity and visibly standardized structural approach, while its position beside the Thermaic Gulf gives many rooms and public spaces views across the water. The hotel contains 284 rooms and suites and provides accommodation, food and beverage services, event facilities, and conference infrastructure. Its location places it close to central Thessaloniki, the White Tower, and the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre, the annual home of the Thessaloniki International Fair. The property is approximately 15 kilometres from Macedonia International Airport. This combination of waterfront setting, central access, and meeting capacity has made Makedonia Palace an important venue for domestic and international congresses, conferences, official functions, and large social events. Makedonia Palace has particular visibility during the opening of the Thessaloniki International Fair each September. The Prime Minister of Greece and much of the national Cabinet traditionally stay at the hotel during the event, giving it a recurring role in the country's political and business calendar. The hotel has also accommodated prominent Greek and international visitors, including Vladimir Putin, XIKI, Chuck Norris, Faye Dunaway, Colin Farrell, and Catherine Deneuve, according to reference material. Ownership and operation have been distinct. The hotel is owned by IKA, Greece's social security fund. It was managed by the Daskalantonakis Group before Belterra Investments, owned by Ivan Savvidis, obtained a 30-year lease in 2014. The reported annual rent under that agreement was €1.7 million. Because the available reference material does not establish a later ownership transfer or a separate current operating company, the hotel is best described as an active property whose ownership remains associated with IKA and whose long-term lease was granted to Belterra Investments. The building has also undergone a notable remodelling by Nikiforidis-Cuomo Architects. The refurbishment has been described as an exemplary treatment of the landmark within Thessaloniki's Nea Paralia waterfront redevelopment. Makedonia Palace therefore functions both as a hospitality business and as a recognizable civic landmark: its commercial offer is built around luxury accommodation, dining, banqueting, and conferences, while its public profile derives from its architecture, waterfront location, recurring fair-related political role, and association with visiting dignitaries and celebrities.

Makedonia Palace was developed as a major modern hotel for Thessaloniki and opened in 1972. Its architect, Constantinos Apostolou Doxiadis, gave the building a deliberately disciplined architectural character. The structure's expressive austerity and visible standardisation distinguish it from more ornamental hotel architecture and helped establish it as a prominent element of the city's eastern waterfront. The hotel's location on Megalou Alexandrou Avenue, beside the Thermaic Gulf and the Nea Paralia waterfront, has been central to its identity. It is near Thessaloniki's city centre, the White Tower, and the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre. The property consequently serves both leisure visitors seeking a waterfront base and business, governmental, and institutional groups attending exhibitions, congresses, and conferences. Its 284 rooms and suites support the scale required for major events, while its dining, banquet, and meeting functions broaden its role beyond conventional accommodation. Makedonia Palace became especially prominent in connection with the Thessaloniki International Fair. Each September, the Greek Prime Minister and most of the Cabinet stay at the property during the fair's opening period. This recurring practice has made the hotel an important setting for political hospitality and business networking. Its guest history has also included a range of Greek and international public figures and entertainers. The property is owned by IKA, Greece's social security fund. Operational control later shifted through a long-term leasing arrangement. The Daskalantonakis Group managed the hotel before Belterra Investments, owned by Ivan Savvidis, leased it in 2014 for 30 years. The reported annual rent was €1.7 million. The available material does not provide enough information to establish subsequent changes to the lease, management, or ownership structure. A later remodelling by Nikiforidis-Cuomo Architects addressed the building within the broader renewal of Thessaloniki's Nea Paralia. The refurbishment has been characterized as an exemplary intervention, preserving the importance of the landmark while updating its hospitality environment. Today, Makedonia Palace is identified with five-star accommodation, waterfront views, conference and congress hosting, dining, and large-scale events. Its significance rests on the combination of a prominent architectural design, a strategically located urban site, and a sustained role in Thessaloniki's public, commercial, and cultural life.

• 2014

  Belterra Investments obtains a 30-year lease

  [1]Makedonia Palaceen.wikipedia.org

  Belterra Investments, owned by Ivan Savvidis, leases the hotel for 30 years at a reported annual rent of €1.7 million.

• 1972

  Hotel opens

  [1]Makedonia Palaceen.wikipedia.org

  Makedonia Palace opens on Thessaloniki's eastern waterfront. The building was designed by Constantinos Apostolou Doxiadis.

• Waterfront remodelling

  [1]Makedonia Palaceen.wikipedia.org

  Nikiforidis-Cuomo Architects remodel the property as part of the development of Thessaloniki's Nea Paralia waterfront.

A landmark five-star waterfront hotel combining luxury accommodation, high-capacity events, conference services, and proximity to Thessaloniki's cultural and exhibition districts.

• Hotel accommodation · 1972

  Rooms and suites

  The hotel offers 284 rooms and suites. Its waterfront position provides views toward the Thermaic Gulf, while proximity to the city centre, the White Tower, and the exhibition grounds supports both leisure and business stays.

• Hospitality and events · 1972

  Dining and banqueting

  Makedonia Palace provides food and beverage, banquet, and event services as part of its full-service luxury-hotel offer. These facilities support private functions, official hospitality, and large social gatherings.

• Meetings and events · 1972

  Congress and conference facilities

  The property is a venue for domestic and international congresses and conferences. Its location near the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre makes it suitable for groups attending the Thessaloniki International Fair and other institutional events.

• 2014

  Long-term leasing arrangement with Belterra InvestmentsStrategy

  Background

  Makedonia Palace was owned by IKA while its operation had been associated with the Daskalantonakis Group. A new long-term operating arrangement was established for the hotel.

  Action taken

  Belterra Investments, owned by Ivan Savvidis, took a 30-year lease of the property. The reported annual rent was €1.7 million.

  Aftermath

  The arrangement placed the hotel under the long-term leasehold of Belterra Investments while ownership remained attributed to IKA in the available reference material.

  Annual lease rent. €1.7 million per year (2014 lease agreement)

  Source

1. 1Makedonia Palaceen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Official Makedonia Palace websitemakedoniapalace.gr