Internationally renowned architect Panagiotis Tompras returns to Greece
NouPou met the architect and founder of Nea Smyrni-based Top Mentor Consultants, Panagiotis Tompras, to talk about his career and how investments are transforming and upgrading Greece’s building stock.
- 19/06/2023
After spending several years abroad working on important and iconic projects, the architect Panagiotis Tompras decided to return to Greece because he saw the potential and the future of the country with new investments and developments that are transforming and upgrading the existing building stock. He founded Top Mentor Consultants, where he does architectural design, construction and project management, advises potential investors, and works with those who want to create something new in the country by upgrading existing properties or building new ones.
“I graduated as an architect in Venice in 2002. I then set up my office in Sparta and a branch in Monemvasia. We have designed hotels, holiday homes and villas, mainly in south Laconia from Monemvasia to Elafonisos. The crisis of 2009 led me to the decision to move abroad. My first stop was Melbourne, where I stayed for two years. I was responsible for the construction of a new hotel, the Pegasus Hotel, as well as 120 maisonettes. I then lived in Doha, Qatar, where I took on the role of Design Director for the Sheraton Hotel, the Pearl Project, a development of 5 high-rise towers and 1,300 individual properties, and the North Gate Mall. I then spent five years in Dubai as a Design Manager for the Museum of the Future and the world-class Expo 2020 exhibition.”
Dreaming of returning to Greece
Despite his international career, his dream was to return to Greece, which he did two years ago after a brief stopover in Cairo, Egypt, during the lockdown. “My return coincided with a period of coronavirus outbreak. This made my contact with the world particularly difficult, as the pandemic halted construction activity around the world. I stayed in Cairo for about five months and contributed to the construction of the city’s museum.”
Founding Top Mentor Consultants
On his return to Greece, he founded Top Mentor Consultants, based in Nea Smyrni. He is currently involved in the design of two luxury hotels to be built in Mytilene, with a total area of 8,000 sqm and 2,000 sqm, respectively. He is also responsible for the design of a restaurant on the same island. In Piraeus, he is renovating an existing building to be turned into a boutique hotel on Kountouriotou Street. Soon he will renovate an existing hotel in the Kammena Vourla area.
For him, fleeing abroad has been an emergency solution in recent years, he tells NouPou. “It was a decision that followed the research I was doing at the time, looking for countries with growth potential, given the crisis Greece was facing at the time. My choices included countries like Australia and Canada. I chose Australia because of the climate and the fact that the Greek community is strong there. At the same time, there are a lot of Italians in the country, which made my job easier because I speak fluent Italian. I travelled without knowing anyone and without having a job. I was planning to stay for two weeks but ended up staying in Australia for two years.”
As Mr Tompras says, during his stay abroad, he turned his luck into action and opportunity, taking on several jobs in all the countries mentioned above. “I challenged my luck and was rewarded. While abroad, I managed some of the biggest projects, especially in the Middle East.”
“I love Greece, and I believe in its potential”
When asked why he chose to return to Greece, despite the career he had built abroad, Mr Tompras gave a straightforward answer: “Everyone asks me this question. I love Greece, and I believe in its potential. This country has a high quality of life and is in very good momentum, with significant opportunities in the construction sector and many investments underway. At the same time, construction activity for major projects in Dubai had started to decline. This was the reason for my decision to return to Greece. However, I still maintain partnerships abroad, in countries such as Saudi Arabia or Kazakhstan.”
Mr Tompras aims to create the largest architectural practice in Greece within the next five years. “We focus on designing hotels and luxury residences, drawing on my international experience.”
“I can see that the professionalism I experienced abroad is lacking in Greece. But nothing scares me. I set the bar high and keep going. Just like I succeeded abroad, I believe I will do the same in Greece. I am currently in talks with investors, mainly from abroad, who are interested in investing in Greece. They are targeting both the southern suburbs and other areas.”
The favourite hangouts of the southern suburbs
Having lived in the southern suburbs for several years, Mr Tompras prefers to spend time around the wider area. “My favourite places are Vouliagmeni and Kavouri. I like the combination of the sea and the greenery that these two areas have. I walk in the southern suburbs almost every day, often carrying my laptop to work by the sea in one of my favourite places. I don’t like being cooped up in the office, so I spend most of my time outdoors.” His favourite places are the Caretta at the beach of Glyfada, the Aqua Marina in Vouliagmeni, the Blends in Glyfada and the Asteras in Vouliagmeni.”
As for the southern suburbs, he is confident that the area will see even more growth in the property sector over the following years. “However, we need to maintain the green lungs. I have to say that the prospects for the region are more than encouraging. Elliniko, the 2nd Voula Plaz beach to be built by TEMES, the Asteria Glyfada, and other investments to be implemented will create one of the most unique coastal areas in the world.”