Once the redevelopment of the Thessaloniki’s central square is completed, according to the new proposal that won the first prize in the Municipality of Thessaloniki’s architectural competition, visitors will follow a walking route that begins from a palm tree-surrounded space and ends at a newly-imagined, “water-themed” Aristotelous Square.

Yesterday, the jury awarded first prize to the concept proposed by architects Ariadne Vozani and Paraskevi Fanou, whose idea is to divide the Aristotelous axis into two squares with the central Tsimiski street posing as a “border.” According to the announcement, the new Aristotelous Square will have a lower tier in its central part (between Mitropoleos and Nikis Avenue) that will serve different functions: either as a “stage” for events or as a cooling point with water jets that will either have a fountain effect or create a still “mirrored surface.”

New materials will be used to lay the floors, while the square will reveal traces of the old urban fabric of the city before the disastrous fire of 1917.

From the Egnatia side and up to Tsimiski Street, Aristotelous is divided into themed squares (or “rooms”) with distinct parts. The first will be the “room with palm trees,” in the shade of which seats will be placed flat on the earth.

As we descend towards the sea, the “rooms” will alternate and host the water and ephemeral market area, a section with ornamental magnolias, and an outdoor sculpture gallery. The statue of Aristotle will be placed in a more central location, and the outdoor clock in the square will be redesigned.

At first sight, the proposal to divide the axis into smaller thematic squares is reminiscent of the creation of gardens on the seafront, but here the area of intervention is smaller, and a unified theme might have been preferable. The placement of palm trees, especially for shading purposes, seems a questionable decision, while special attention will be needed for the construction of the water floor, as similar projects in other parts of Thessaloniki have not ended well.

For the redevelopment, the Municipality of Thessaloniki has secured funding from the Ministry of Tourism.

This article was previously published in Greek at kathimerini.com.