Panagiotis Tompras: The architect who built the “museum of the future” returns to the Riviera awards jury
From Sparta to Dubai, Doha and Cairo, and from there back to the Athens Riviera. Panagiotis Tompras, Director of ION Group in Greece and CEO of Top Mentor Consultants, speaks to NouPou about his journey, the challenges facing the Riviera and his participation in the jury of the first Athens Riviera Luxury Awards.
- 14/09/2026 10:57
Somewhere between Dubai, Doha and Cairo, the name of Panagiotis Tompras became associated with buildings that would change the way the world sees their cities. The Museum of the Future and EXPO 2020 in Dubai. The Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza. Today, he sits on the judging panel of the first Athens Riviera Luxury Awards (September 17, One&Only Aesthesis, Glyfada) and has a lot to say about where the coastline he chose to come back to is heading.
From Sparta to the desert, and back
Born in Sparta, with roots in Nafplio, he studied architecture in Venice and left for Australia in 2012, when the crisis was leaving young engineers in Greece with few options. In Melbourne, he worked as a fit-out manager at the fifty-million-euro Pegasus hotel. Then came Doha, where he was project manager for the 530-million-euro Sheraton, and Dubai, where, as Project Director, he oversaw the 400-million-euro expansion of Wafi mall and worked as Senior Executive Manager at the landmark Museum of the Future. In between, he was Project Director for the supervision of the ninety-six pavilions at EXPO 2020 in Dubai, a 2.6-billion-euro project, and completed his tenure in Egypt as Project Close-out Manager at the Grand Egyptian Museum. He has been described as a symbol of the post-memorandum era’s “brain gain,” the engineer who was forced to close his office in Sparta in order to emigrate and returned years later as a name that opens doors. When you ask him to talk about this journey, however, he does not dwell on titles:
“My professional journey began with architecture, which I still consider the core of my identity. Along the way, however, my involvement in complex projects and major investments led me to develop a more comprehensive understanding of real estate development and utilization. I gained experience not only in architectural design, but also in project management, construction, technical assessment, development strategy and investment advisory, having worked on all five continents. Top Mentor Consultants was created precisely around this philosophy: for a team to be able to take on a project as a whole, from the initial idea and investment assessment through permitting, construction and final delivery.”
It is no small thing to leave the Middle East behind to build hotels in Piraeus, but Tompras describes it as though it were the most logical decision in the world. His first project after returning, the conversion of an office building into a five-star hotel in the heart of Piraeus, was itself a statement: that the same eye that could “see” museums in the desert could also reinterpret a forgotten office building in its own neighborhood. Then came the Merkaba Institute, a futuristic signature building by his own firm, which showed that his return was not a career compromise but a continuation of the same ambition, only now on Greek soil.
“The Athens Riviera must not simply become a zone of expensive construction”
“The Athens Riviera is going through a period of remarkable transformation. In just a few years, it has evolved into one of the Mediterranean’s most important investment and architectural destinations, attracting international brands, institutional investors and highly discerning buyers. Architecturally, we are seeing a clear shift toward higher-quality projects, with an emphasis on views, natural light, energy efficiency, landscaping and the connection of buildings with the sea and the Mediterranean environment. The concept of luxury has now changed. It is no longer expressed solely through expensive materials or size, but through the quality of space, privacy, technology, wellness, sustainability and the overall living experience. The Riviera has the potential to acquire a contemporary architectural identity that will be international while at the same time deeply connected to the Greek way of life.”
Alongside his role at Top Mentor, Tompras participates in the design and coordination of major development and investment projects through ION Group. “These two roles allow me to combine the creativity of the architect with the strategic thinking, financial understanding and managerial responsibility that a modern investment requires,” he says.
“The most important challenge is to ensure a balance between intense investment activity and preserving the identity and quality of the area. The Riviera must not simply become a zone of expensive construction, but evolve into a complete, functional and sustainable urban environment. At the same time, there are complex issues involving urban planning, permitting, infrastructure, traffic and rising construction costs. What is needed is long-term planning, a stable institutional framework and meaningful coordination among the state, local government, investors, architects and technical consultants. Speed of implementation is important, but it must not come at the expense of architectural quality, the environment and the public interest. The real challenge is for today’s projects to continue to be landmarks even several decades from now.”
And as for what sets a project or a business apart as a model of excellence, his answer is equally specific: “Excellence begins with clarity of vision and is demonstrated at every stage: in the quality of the study, functionality, construction detail, consistency, cost management and adherence to schedules. A successful project must respond to people’s real needs, respect the environment and the character of the place, and retain its aesthetic, functional and commercial value over time. The goal should not simply be to create impressive images, but to deliver projects with substance, identity, innovation and longevity.”
The Ellinikon as a catalyst, the awards as a responsibility
When asked about the Athens Riviera’s biggest opportunities in the years ahead, Tompras goes straight to the project that, more or less, everyone has in mind: “The Ellinikon is acting as a catalyst for the entire Athens Riviera. It is not simply a major real estate development, but a project that can change Athens’ international image and strengthen its position as a destination for living, tourism, business and investment. The opportunities are not limited to luxury residences. They extend to hospitality, marinas, retail, modern offices, wellness and leisure facilities, as well as new forms of mixed-use development. The great opportunity is for Athens to acquire a world-class waterfront, with a strong architectural identity, modern infrastructure and more high-quality and accessible public spaces.”
That, he says, is why he agreed to join the judging panel of the first Athens Riviera Luxury Awards: “It is a particular honor for me to participate in the judging panel of the first Athens Riviera Luxury Awards. For me, the evaluation is not only about aesthetics or commercial success. It is about the overall value of each entry: its vision, architectural quality, the experience it offers, sustainability, innovation and its positive contribution to the area and society. I hope the Athens Riviera Luxury Awards will evolve into a strong and internationally recognized institution, worthy of the dynamism and prospects of the Athens Riviera.”
The man who built museums in the desert now wants to help build something in his homeland that will stand the test of time. And if anyone knows what a project that people will remember decades from now looks like, it is probably the man who built the “museum of the future.”