Xenia Hotel on Chios Put Up for Auction
The bidding process for a concession for the historic Xenia hotel on the Greek island of Chios has been launched via an e-auction, according to the Public Properties Company (ETAD in Greek).
The property is part of the renowned Xenia hotel chain, once a major hotel construction program launched by the Greek National Tourism Organization that ran from 1950 to 1974. It has a plot size of 1,668.66 sq.m and a Gross Buildable Area of 1,572.47 sq.m. and is now available for long-term lease through an e-auction on www.e-publicrealestate.gr.
ETAD aims to attract investors to renovate, upgrade and operate the historic Xenia hotel. The selected bidder will bear all costs for the hotel’s complete renovation and operation. The duration of the lease is set at 50 years from the signing of the contract. ETAD will be accepting bids until July 12.
Located at Bella Vista Beach in the island’s main town, the Xenia hotel was constructed in the early 1960s. A three-storey building, it originally operated as a hotel with a capacity of 28 rooms (22 double and 6 single) – 50 beds. From 1989 to 2011 it operated as a recreation center for Greek military officers stationed on the island. It is in walking distance from both the city center and the main port of the island and only 2km from Chios International Airport.
ETAD’s portfolio of properties includes 31 Xenia hotels that are located in various Greek destinations.
ETAD is a state organization for the management of public real estate.
Xenia history
From 1950 to 1974, the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) carried out a program of hotel and motel construction to boost Greece’s tourism development.
The Xenia hotels were characterized by their high quality and aesthetics and constructed within the framework of a tourism policy that aimed for Greece’s economic development.
Built in prime locations, they strongly bore the mark of the inspired Greek architect, Aris Konstantinides, and perfectly adapted to the Greek landscape as if they had always been there. They had an ideal positioning, combined indoor with open-air spaces, internal patios and courtyards, large windows, balconies that offered the best views of each location.
Over 40 “Xenias” constituted a unique network of complexes that boasted excellent architecture and construction.
Today, surviving examples of the Xenia hotels have been substantially altered or have fallen into disrepair.
Photo source: Public Properties Company