The Cyprus Environment Ministry has received a new application for the construction of a large mixed-use development in the Agios Athanasios area of Limassol.
The project has been initiated by the Archdiocese of Limassol.
According to the notification, the Archdiocese intends to build a large integrated complex with a focus on education, research and innovation. The total built-up area will be 448,033 m2. Of this, 333,350 m2 will be occupied by various types of buildings: schools, a university and student accommodation, a sports centre, a research and development (R&D) centre, residential areas, a business park that will include a shopping centre and office space, as well as exhibition space and a supermarket. There will also be a large car park with 2,801 parking spaces (304 of which will be reserved for people with disabilities). The rest of the land will be used for roads, public spaces and green areas. The main aim is to create a vibrant community centred around educational institutions and research centres.
The strategic objectives of this vision are to:
- To meet the growing demand for high quality educational facilities and to support the development of Cyprus as an attractive investment destination for foreign high-tech and IT companies.
- Create opportunities for strategic collaboration between different organisations such as universities and research centres and maximise synergies through shared resources and facilities.
- Decentralise and decongest the urban area by creating, to the maximum extent possible, a self-contained community with ancillary functions such as a shopping mall, sports facilities, residential development, student/school hostels and the like.
The project will be carried out in several phases. All works are expected to be completed by April 2029:
- The first phase will see the construction of the road network and all the necessary infrastructure.
- The second phase will include the construction of R&D and part of the residential area.
- The third phase will include a university, an indoor amphitheatre, primary and secondary school buildings and a supermarket. A shopping centre and linear park will also be built during this phase.
- The fourth phase will complete the remainder of the residential development.
The preliminary cost of the project is estimated at €379,495,000.