Piraeus warehouse Castor Place transformed by MPNYC into cultural venue
Founded in 2019 by Andreas Kostopoulos after serving as associate director at Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Manhattan Projects (MPNYC) has transformed a 19th-century stone warehouse in Piraeus, Greece, into a versatile events venue named Castor Place. Kostopoulos referred to the previously nightclub-turned-warehouse, characterized by a 1990s boxy addition, as a 'Frankenstein building' due to its stucco exterior and black-painted interior. The renovation removed years of alterations, resulting in a space suitable for corporate dinners, fashion shows, and art exhibitions. Notable features include a 12m high ceiling, travertine marble floors, and a wrap-around mezzanine. A significant highlight is the custom cast-aluminium doors designed by local artist Stefania Strouza, showcasing an abstract ocean floor-inspired pattern. Piraeus, a once-thriving maritime center rebuilt post-1821 Greek independence, is witnessing a cultural revival, with Castor Place exemplifying the trend.
Key facts
- Castor Place is a multi-purpose events space in Piraeus, Greece, designed by Manhattan Projects (MPNYC).
- The building is a 19th-century stone warehouse with a 1990s nightclub extension.
- Andreas Kostopoulos founded MPNYC in 2019 after working as associate director at Diller Scofidio + Renfro.
- The renovation stripped back decades of interventions to create a flexible venue.
- Main hall has a 12m high ceiling, wrap-around mezzanine, and travertine marble floors.
- Walls were white-washed to reveal historical architectural layers.
- A large vertical window was carved through the roof unit for natural light.
- Bespoke cast-aluminium doors by local artist Stefania Strouza feature an abstract pattern inspired by ocean floor mapping.
- Piraeus was rebuilt after Greek independence in 1821 and was a major maritime hub in the 1800s.
- Recent years have seen galleries and creative enterprises converting Piraeus warehouses into cultural hubs.
Entities
Artists
- Andreas Kostopoulos
- Stefania Strouza
- Cedric Price
- Yiorgos Kaplanidis
Institutions
- Manhattan Projects (MPNYC)
- Diller Scofidio + Renfro
- Manhattan Projects New York City (MPNYC)
- Castor Place
Locations
- Piraeus
- Greece
- Athens