A Special Spatial Development Plan of Strategic Investment that was recently submitted to the relevant authorities for review sets out the terms for the redevelopment envisaged for the private island of Skorpios. According to the plan, the island – once owned by Aristotle Onassis – is to acquire an ultra-luxury tourist complex.

The complex will consist of two clusters of guest accommodations with accompanying facilities, while the island’s new identity as a cutting edge destination will be bolstered by wellness amenities, sports facilities in the center of the island, an Olympic-standard horse riding center, a farm as well as new harbor infrastructure, to allow for the mooring of a limited number of super yachts.

The inclusion of this business plan in the broader framework for strategic investments was approved by the relevant cross-ministerial commission in November, and it was officially announced in the Government Gazette on the 12^th of January. The spatial development plan, and the associated environmental impact assessment (both of which were made available to Kathimerini’s K magazine), have almost completed the ‘rounds’ of the various public offices and departments, and the next step will be to submit a plan for a Presidential Decree to the Council of State for a preliminary audit.

The plan describes the manner in which the island of Skorpios will be transformed from an agritourist family holiday home into an “luxury agritourism resort – VIP Exclusive Club”, while keeping within the floor area limit of 21,629m², as specified by the cross-ministerial commission in 2017.

The island has a total area of 83.2 hectares and with regards to planning it is divided in two zones. The first, covering a total area of 43.1 hectares is the tourism and recreation zone, featuring the relevant facilities. Note that for the purposes of the specific investment, the government has authorized the direct concession of usage rights of the island’s shoreline. The second zone, covering an area of 40.1 hectares, has been declared a “special protection area for the island’s capital in natural resources and nature-loving activities”; it includes the entire area that has been classified as forested.

Based on the island’s total area (and on the legislation governing the construction of hotel facilities outside urban areas), it would be possible to build in this particular case on a total of 50,594.7 m². Yet, given the more restrictive cap set by the state, the investor has ultimately decided to keep as is the existing constructed area (3,994 m²) and to add another 17,634 m² of new buildings.

It is worth noting that a large portion of the existing buildings on Skorpios were in fact… unlicensed. Some of these were legalized in 1983 under the so-called Tritsis Law, and all subsequent unlicensed structures were legalized in 2014. Some of these buildings, such as the famous Pink House, the private chapel of Panaghia (where members of the Onassis family are buried), and the small bungalow situated on the southern beach, had been built before 1955.

Building on the island will not exceed a total coverage of 10%. Making full use of the more flexible legislation that governs such “strategic investments”, some of the touristic buildings will be situated only 50 meters away from the shore, while guest accommodations will be only 30 meters away.

However the investor does not intend to sell or to offer for long-term rental of any of the properties of the development, since that would entail moving towards multiple ownership, which is something the investor wishes to avoid.

What is envisaged

Some of the specific aspects of the investment:

The proposal envisages three sites for the construction of harbour facilities, with the intention of increasing the number of boats the island can accomodate.

The investment plan envisages the preservation and renovation of the existing farm on the southwest end of the island (covering 29% of the total area of the island, that is to say approximately 24.5 hectares, have been characterized as agricultural land). Facilities will be created to allow for the production of artisanal-style products; the multiple existing farm buildings will be renovated and used as workshops for the processing of local agricultural and animal products to create traditional-style goods, all within the framework of creating an agritouristic / artisanal model farm.

At a prominent location in the heart of the island a “multi sports facility” will be created. The various facilities will be arranged over three levels, with a gym, a bowling area, an indoor laser tag area, 5-a-side football pitches and tennis courts built to international standards, as well as outdoor areas for horseback riding and target shooting activities. At this site there will be a movable awning over the spectators’ seating areas which will form an architectural landmark for the island. The stable facilities on the island’s west side will be supplemented by new buildings so that they may accommodate up to 10 horses, and they will be converted into a horse riding center with an Olympic-standard riding arena.

An area on the west side of the island has been specifically developed as a shooting range. It should be noted that an amateur association, the “Shooting Club of Skorpios”, was founded in 2015 and boasts 21 members.

Finally, according to the proposal, “the main tourist buildings and their facilities (swimming pools, leisure areas, areas for mental and physical well-being etc.) will be optimally situated in each case”. The new open-air theatre will be situated on naturally amphitheatrical terrain, with an ideal orientation.

The desalination and power plants on the island will be upgraded, and a water reservoir will be created to cater to the island’s irrigation needs.