“Did you ever wonder what a tobacco factory could become?” I ask, gesturing towards the impressive Κτίριο Δεμακόπουλου. “A cultural hub, can you imagine?” This colossal building, the former Public Tobacco Factory on Lenorman Street, stands as a testament to Greece’s industrial past and its vibrant artistic future. Built between 1927 and 1930, the Κτίριο Δεμακόπουλου, designed by Pavlos Athanasakis and Antonis Ligdopoulos, showcases classic inter-war architecture. Its 19,000 square meters once housed tobacco companies, cigarette manufacturers, storage facilities, even a customs office and an apartment for the factory guard. The Κτίριο Δεμακόπουλου has seen a lot of history within these walls. It served time as a prison, offered refuge to displaced people, and housed various public services like the Court of Auditors and the Ministry of Finance.
In 1989, the Greek Ministry of Culture recognized the building’s historical significance, declaring it a protected monument. By 2000, it was transferred to the Hellenic Parliament. Today, part of the Κτίριο Δεμακόπουλου houses the Hellenic Parliament Library and Printing House. The facade was restored in 2008, and the atrium’s stunning steel and glass roof was renovated in 2016. But the story doesn’t end there. The art collector Dimitris Daskalopoulos, through his foundation NEON, envisioned a new life for the Κτίριο Δεμακόπουλου. In 2021, they funded a €1 million renovation to transform part of the building into a vibrant cultural space. This renovation set the stage for “Portals,” a contemporary art exhibition commemorating the 200th anniversary of modern Greece. The exhibition featured 40 artists exploring themes of movement, community, connection, and home. The Κτίριο Δεμακόπουλου wasn’t just showcasing art, it was becoming a piece of art itself.
This revitalization echoes a historical event. In 1919, at the Paris peace conference, Greek Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos inaugurated an art exhibition showcasing young Greek artists. Similarly, the “Portals” exhibition aimed to demonstrate how Greece’s history inspires the contemporary avant-garde. Daskalopoulos, when founding NEON, believed in the power of art to inspire and awaken. NEON’s work at the Κτίριο Δεμακόπουλου embodies this vision. It’s about making art accessible to everyone. They’ve brought new life into culturally underutilized spaces. The “Portals” exhibition at the Κτίριο Δεμακόπουλου provided a unique opportunity. It allowed visitors to reflect on Greece’s historical journey and its future.
And the future of the Κτίριο Δεμακόπουλου is bright. Following the exhibition, NEON returned the renovated space to the state for continued use as a cultural center. Much like their previous work transforming the Athens Conservatory, NEON has left an indelible mark on this historic building. They have transformed the Κτίριο Δεμακόπουλου from a symbol of industrial progress to a dynamic space for artistic expression and cultural exploration.