The six-storey Blue Condominium stands in the corner of Arachovis & Themistokleous street in Exarcheia’s center square. It was a project of architect Kyriakos Panagiotakou (1902-1982), one of the pioneers of the modern movement in Greece and it was built in 1932-1933 by Kostis Antonopoulos. The building was praised by Le Corbusier who said: "C’est très beau" (= “It is very beautiful”) and it is one of the oldest in Athens. It is known as “blue” because of its original color and it is considered a turning point in the history of Modern Greek architecture.
It is a complex of two separate buildings with separate entrances which connect in the ground floor and the attic. It had a total of 32 apartments and 7 new appartments were later added on the rooftop. The facade of the building and the way it is designed is an attempt to break away from the monotony of rationalism. The exterior of the building was further enhanced with the daring colors chosen by painter Spyros Papaloukas (terra cotta on the base, blue on the main parts, and white frames).
Particular attention has also been given to the quality of the construction of common use areas (entrances, concierge, corridors, stairwells, laundry etc.), culminating in the great common lounge on the terrace, with spectacular views. The building represents the unique vision of social contact and coexistence of the tenants; it is "an elevated neighborhood” as Maro Kardamitsi-Adami said.
