Mapping residential floor area trends across Greece

According to a recent analysis published by ReDataSet, the clearest trend of contraction is observed in central Athens. Apartments constructed today are, on average, approximately 10 square meters smaller than at the peak of the 1990s, confirming a sustained pressure toward reduced floor areas. This development is primarily attributed to high building density and the scarcity of available land, which constrain the development of larger dwellings.

By contrast, the northern suburbs present a markedly different picture. Following a downturn in the 2010s, average apartment sizes have not only recovered but now reach approximately 105 square meters, representing a clear divergence from the broader downsizing trend. Lower density and larger plots enable the construction of more spacious homes.

The southern suburbs also demonstrate resilience. Although there has been a modest decline compared to the levels of the 1990s, newly built apartments remain close to 95 square meters—significantly above the city average. Strong demand for larger living spaces, particularly in proximity to the coastal front, appears to sustain these higher surface areas.

In western Athens, the market has largely stabilized. Apartment sizes have hovered around 85 square meters for decades, exhibiting no significant fluctuations.

A similar pattern is evident in Piraeus. Following a peak in the 1990s, apartment sizes declined slightly and have since remained at approximately 82 square meters, forming a long-term plateau.

Beyond Attica, trends diverge even further. Thessaloniki stands out as a notable exception, with newly built apartments now approximately 24 square meters larger than in the 1960s, reaching an average of 84 square meters. This shift is associated with the city’s later urbanization and its ongoing development trajectory.

Finally, Heraklion, Crete, exhibits remarkable stability: the average apartment size has remained close to 90 square meters for roughly six decades, with minimal variation.

Overall, the data indicate that there is no single, unified trend in residential property sizes across Greece. Instead, a fragmented landscape emerges: central Athens is trending toward smaller homes, suburban areas are maintaining or increasing floor space, and other cities are either stabilizing or expanding. Housing size now appears to depend less on overarching economic conditions and more on the specific local characteristics of each area.