Athenians fear this huge new development will turn city into a ‘mini Dubai’

This Greek city is getting an enormous new neighborhood — and locals are scared it will alter ancient Athens for good. A 1,500 acre construction project — possibly the largest in Europe, and one that will cost $8.6 billion — is proving controversial as it sets out to transform a long shuttered Athens airport into a seaside oasis for the rich.

The development, named Ellinikon after the flight hub, which closed back in 2001, is set to include some 8,000 luxury homes, a marina equipped to moor mega yachts, multiple shopping malls, restaurants, hotels and a casino on a plot of land over double the size of Central Park and three times the size of Monaco, the Daily Mail reported.

While there are those members of the debt ridden nation who are excited for the project, which they believe will help rejuvenate the economy and area tourism, others are extremely critical, calling it gaudy and unaffordable. “This is a playground for the uber rich, which the average Greek will not be able to enjoy,” Athens resident and saleswoman Peppy Koliakakou, 50, told the Daily Mail.

“There should have been other alternatives to developing the decrepit airport, not a complete sell out to foreign interests. I am worried that this will tarnish Athens and that it will turn the area into a tacky, mini Dubai,” and that “All Greekness will be wiped out.” Though gin mill owner Yianna Massonos, 56, is hopeful the Ellinikon will boost businesses in the area, she mostly shared Koliakakou’s concerns.

“I don’t think the average Greek will reap the full benefits of the project. Only high flying multi millionaires, sheiks and emirs have bought up the stunning flats,” she told the publication. Meanwhile, Athenian Antonis Theodoros thinks the fact that the project is “going to be Vegas meets Miami in Athens” is a good thing: “I’m looking forward to it,” he said.

And whatever its impact, some believe the country is in no place to not welcome the potential economic boost and approximately 75,000 jobs the development is set to bring. “For a bankrupt nation, like Greece, any development project, not least this mammoth undertaking, is positive,” said Athenian businessman Petros Tsitsiricos, 59..