ETAD: Tender for the Restoration and Operation Study of the Former Government House of Thessaloniki

The Hellenic Public Properties Company (ETAD S.A.), a subsidiary of the HCAP (Hellenic Corporation of Assets and Participations), is moving forward with the next major step for the revival of the former Government House of Thessaloniki (also known as “Palataki”), by launching an international open tender for the restoration and operational study of this landmark property.

The tender process titled “Restoration and Operation of the Former Government House of Thessaloniki” concerns the next and final stage of required studies. This includes the completion of all necessary technical designs and administrative approvals needed to prepare and launch the construction project.

In this phase, and in collaboration with the design team to be selected through the tender, the strategic plan for the reuse of the listed building will be clarified in detail. Final uses will be assigned to individual spaces, with the goal of creating a comprehensive plan to repurpose the property as a venue for culture, conferences, and events, with activities accessible to all.

The tender seeks a consortium of design firms responsible for completing the full set of required studies — including specialized architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, electronic, environmental, and traffic/transportation studies — as well as obtaining the necessary permits and approvals. These include, among others: environmental terms approval, architectural study approval from the Architecture Council, approvals from the relevant services of the Ministry of Macedonia–Thrace and the Ministry of Culture, traffic connection approvals, active fire protection approval from the Fire Department, preliminary and final building permits, etc.

The estimated contract value is €1,209,852.67 (excluding VAT), and the submission deadline is September 30, 2025. More information is available on the ETAD website where the tender documents have been posted.

It is noted that in June 2024, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the Hellenic Parliament, HCAP, and ETAD, outlining the restoration and reuse of the Government House. The memorandum, which runs until the end of 2026 with the possibility of extension, initially calls for HCAP and ETAD to estimate the cost of the design phase necessary to determine the total restoration cost of the building and its surrounding area.

Based on the estimated cost, the Hellenic Parliament will then assess whether to cover the restoration expenses entirely or partially, potentially with the support of additional funding sources if necessary.

The long-term objective is to establish a permanent presence of the Hellenic Parliament in Thessaloniki and to repurpose the Government House as a space for outward-looking initiatives and engagement with the local community.

Tornos News | History of the Government House

The building, commonly referred to as “Palataki,” officially known as the Government House, was designed by Pericles Sakellarios with final modifications by I. Christopoulos during the 1950s. It was inaugurated in 1960 and initially intended as the residence of the then Minister of Northern Greece.

In 1963, it was offered to the royal family, but they used it only for a single night, preferring the old Méditerranée Hotel by the old waterfront. In 1968, during the military junta, the property was assigned to the Ministry of Northern Greece.

After 1974, it was used as a residence by the Minister for Macedonia–Thrace and also served as accommodation for Prime Minister and later President of the Republic Konstantinos Karamanlis during his visits to the city. Toward the late 1980s and beyond, the building was used for state conferences and events.

Over time, however, this iconic building has suffered significant damage to its masonry and ceilings, and many items have either been lost or found scattered in other locations.