With three hotels under construction in central Athens, several serviced apartment buildings, and another hotel in Rethymno expected to open by the end of 2024, the Israeli-owned investment company Finders is poised to become a significant name in the industry in the coming years.
Amir Mamou’s Vision
Since 2014, Amir Mamou has been managing five private Israeli funds worth a total of €50 million, investing in real estate in Greece and Israel. As stated by Irini Panagopoulou, Operations Manager at Finders, the company capitalized on real estate opportunities in Greece during a favorable period for investments.
“The only area in Athens with vast development potential is Omonia,” said Panagopoulou. The company chose Greece due to favorable tax conditions for Israeli investors and easy, frequent air connections with daily flights.
Since its inception, Finders has visited approximately 34,000 square meters of real estate, mapped all properties inspected, and completed 90 transactions with 110–120 clients. Among their clients is the Israeli-owned Brown Hotels. Finders played a pivotal role in introducing Omonia’s investment potential to Brown’s principal shareholder.
The New Hotel in Athens
At the corner of Chalkokondyli and 3rd September Streets, construction crews are working intensively to transform a seven-story office building into a hotel with 42 rooms. The smart hotel will allow guests to manage their stay through a dedicated app developed by an Israeli tech company. Features include:
- Online booking and check-in
- Room selection
- QR code access to smart locks
- Food and drink ordering
- Booking tours and activities
The hotel’s lobby will feature an impressive installation by Finders’ artistic director, Kirios Kriton, whose numbered artworks will also be available in the rooms and for purchase.
The rooftop will host a large pool with breathtaking views of the Acropolis and Lycabettus Hill, the only pool of its kind in Omonia. The ground floor will include a restaurant/bar operated by a third party, as well as the Finders Athens office and a Real Estate Hub.
Finders aims to welcome the hotel’s first guests in July 2023, initially without the restaurant operational.
Expanding the Portfolio in Athens
Finders currently owns 18 properties in Athens, including:
- 8 buildings (6 under construction)
- Individual apartments undergoing renovation
The company’s next opening is scheduled for late March 2023—a building on Lavraga Street in Kolonos featuring 11 apartments.
In the first quarter of 2024, Finders will open a four-story building in Gazi with 20 apartments, currently being renovated under the supervision of Pieris Architects.
Additionally, Finders owns a property at the intersection of Ipirou and 3rd September Streets, where 15–17 apartments with ground-floor retail spaces will be created. The former Prigipikon Hotel near Brown’s Dave Red Athens will also be redeveloped into either a hostel or serviced apartments.
Future Projects in Crete
Finders is expanding its portfolio to Crete, focusing on Rethymno and Chania. In Rethymno, the company is renovating and expanding the abandoned Sfakaki Hotel, adding six small villas, with completion expected in early 2024.
Next week, Finders will finalize the acquisition of two adjacent beachfront plots in Kalyves, Chania, where they plan to build luxury villas.