A new form is emerging on the horizon of Athens, with the **Riviera Tower** (designed by Foster + Partners) becoming the most prominent structure in Ellinikon, a large area once occupied by the former Athens International Airport. The tower, which reached its full height of 200 meters by early summer 2026, is now a permanent part of the city’s skyline. It is located near the coastline, at the edge of the sea, rather than at the central part of the area. Behind the tower, the former airport site—closed in 2001—is being transformed into a metropolitan park. Some parts of the site previously hosted installations for the 2004 Olympic Games, and some of these structures, including the former terminal designed by Eero Saarinen, are being renovated. Other parts of the airport have already been removed or repurposed. The transformation of Ellinikon is significant, with the area set to accommodate new developments that will cover a large expanse. The site is described as a palimpsest, meaning it has layers of previous uses and structures that are now visible. Infrastructure is being built even before the final plans for the area are fully realized, creating a landscape that is both carefully planned and still evolving. The **Riviera Tower** has already become a part of the Athens skyline, visible from many vantage points and altering the surrounding environment. Its presence is notable not just for its height but also for the way it draws attention to the changing landscape around it. Despite the detailed planning and design for the future park, buildings, neighborhoods, and landscapes, the transformation of Ellinikon has not yet fully materialized. The area remains in a state of transition, with the future park still enclosed by fences and access limited. The transformation of Athens, including the rise of polykatoikías—multi-family buildings that are a hallmark of the city’s urban landscape—has happened quickly over the decades, often through the antiparochí system, in which landowners trade their property for apartments in newly built buildings. The exposed rebar on some rooftops may signal the city’s ongoing evolution, with additional floors already added to some buildings and others still under construction.