The emblematic tower of OTE in Thessaloniki is undergoing an extensive facelift. Surrounded by scaffolding, it is expected to welcome the visitors of the 88th International Exhibition of Thessaloniki, as in the coming months the emblematic building, which has dominated the TIF-Helexpo SA exhibition and conference center since 1970, will undergo minor damage restoration work, as he announced, speaking to APE-MPE, the general manager of the company, Alexis Tsaxirlis.

“In the context of the renewal of the agreement (use of the tower) with OTE after 12 years, the works were discussed, which concern the restoration of minor damages, painting, etc. Obviously, the stability of the tower is not in question in the slightest, the works concern the exterior of the building, which closes this year 54 years since its construction and most likely the tower will remain “scaffolded” during the TIF” explained Mr. Tsaxirlis and added that the rotating cafeteria on the top floor of the tower is operating normally – and will continue to operate during the 88th TFC.

According to Mr. Tsaxirlis, the works are expected to be completed before the end of 2024, while the last time the tower was “dressed” with scaffolding and protective burlap to carry out similar work was almost 20 years ago, in 2005-2006. In fact, the scaffolding that will surround it cannot be ruled out to be used …creatively, for the posting of advertising messages, mainly of OTE, during the 88th TEF, with Germany as the honored country.

And yet… the tower turns

The OTE Tower is a 76 meter high structure, designed by the architect Alexandros Anastasiadis. The telecommunications tower project study was completed in two phases. In the first phase, in 1969, the general architectural and static study was carried out, and the foundation, the basement and the first floor were built, while in September 1969 (although the construction was not yet completed) it functioned for the first time as an OTE pavilion in 34th International Exhibition of Thessaloniki. In the second phase of the project, from March 1 to the end of August 1970, the construction of the Tower was completed, so that it could function in its current form during the next exhibition (35th TIF).

The first broadcasts of the Greek State Television in black and white were broadcast from this building a year after its completion and it was also used for several years as the stand of the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization at the International Exhibition. He also hosted a Thessaloniki radio station for several years.

This is the only building with a rotating floor in Greece, as stated on the website of the Skyline cafe-bar, which is located on this very floor. In relation to the movement of the last level of the OTE Tower it has been said from time to time that it is no longer turning. The reason for this reputation was a failure of the rotation mechanism in 1988, which caused the OTE tower to stop working for a few years.

But the tower spins normally. Its floor rotates at a speed of one full rotation in 60 minutes. The whole motion system, which in its full rotation offers a panoramic view of the Thermaic Gulf and almost all the other main landmarks of the city (the Acropolis of Eptapyrgio, the White Tower, the Rotunda and the Byzantine and archaeological museum and Hortiatis, but also the Olympus), was a technical achievement of the Rohr house.

OTE