On Wednesday, NorthStar Entertainment executives said that work on a massive entertainment complex (Project VORIA), including a casino in Maroussi, located on the 50,000-square-meter property of the exclusive Dilaveri Estate, will start within the year.
We aim to develop an integrated complex that will upgrade the northern suburbs without including retail shops, thus maintaining a balance with the local market. We are giving Maroussi the momentum to transform into a real model of urban development.
NorthStar Entertainment CEO Yiannis Tsirikos
Known as “Project VORIA” (Greek for “north”), this large-scale project promises a 150-room luxury hotel, revitalizing spa and wellness facilities, event and conference venues including a grand 1,400-seat theatre, 836 parking spaces, an array of fine restaurants, lively entertainment venues, and refreshing swimming pools.
While commonly called the “Maroussi Casino,” the gaming areas comprising slot machines and tables will occupy a modest 8,500 square meters within the sprawling 25,000-square-meter development.
This casino project, initially postponed until 2021, involves moving the prestigious Parnitha casino to the “Dilaveri estate” in Marousi. The Laskaridis family owns the exclusive Hotel Grande Bretagne, King George, and Athens Capital-MGallery. As things are, this casino is the only one in Athens.
With the Regency Casino Mont Parnes (also known as the Parnitha casino) moving onto Kifissia Avenue, a whopping 250 million euros will be invested in creating the Voria metropolitan entertainment district in Maroussi. The first significant investment in the region in many years, this multifunctional structure, designed by the renowned Athens-based architecture company ASPA-KST, will beautify the Dilaveri estate in Marousi. Positioned in the Municipality of Marousi at the crossroads of Kifissias and Spyrou Loui avenues, this construction is expected to increase the attraction of the area.
According to the LEED-certified proposal, 42% of the land will be public and communal areas, with the remaining 35% open green space with free access. The green areas will cover a total of 17,232 square meters, with plants exceeding the permitted area by nearly 7,000 square meters.
Of the entire 50 hectares of the land, the Municipality of Maroussi has been allocated 25 hectares for the establishment of public spaces with free access for the public, with the ultimate purpose of leisure for citizens and the improvement of inhabitants’ quality of life.
According to NorthStar Entertainment, the business behind the initiative, Project VORIA, would create a top tourist attraction in the northern suburbs of Athens. Thanks to the 250 million euros allocated for the construction of the Voria metropolitan entertainment hub, the local economy will be strengthened, and 1,000 new jobs will be created.
Construction is expected to start by the end of the year or the beginning of 2025 and take three years to finish.