31 EGNATIA ST. 22 PTOLEMAION ST.

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The privately owned building complex "Agora Kolomvou", located at the junction of 31 Egnatia St. and 22 Ptolemaion St. in the 1st Municipal District of Thessaloniki, occupies a land plot measuring 1,575 square meters. The complex consists of a basement, a ground-level network of galleries, and two structures of one and three floors, respectively. It was built in 1931–1932 by the engineer Jacques Moshe (building permit no. 143/06.06.1931) on land plots 3, 4, 5, 20, and 21 of City Block 30 in the 5th Sector of Thessaloniki's Burnt Zone.

The building is situated on one of the most significant road axes in Thessaloniki's historical center, in the Kolomvou area, near the intersection of Egnatia and Antigonidon streets. Egnatia Street is a bustling thoroughfare lined with retail outlets, offices, hotels, restaurants, banks, and government agencies. The building is close to the "Kolomvou" and "Antigonidon" bus stops of the Thessaloniki Urban Transportation Organization, served by numerous public bus routes. Additionally, the future "Venizelou" and "Dimokratias" Thessaloniki Metro stations are located less than 350 meters away.

The complex is a distinct example of interwar-period commercial architecture featuring galleries, falling within the eclectic style prevalent during the early 20th century. It has been designated a historic building by the Greek Ministry of Culture (decision YPPO/DILAP/C/4366/56667, GG 1071/B/04.12.1997) for its architectural and decorative elements inspired by Belle Époque and Neoclassicism. The building forms part of a notable series of structures from the same era, extending along Egnatia Street. Jacques Moshe also designed the three-story building on Nikis Avenue, which housed the historic restaurant "Olympos-Naousa" on its ground floor.

The gallery (stoa) within the complex was named after the Italian chef Giacomo Colombo, who established Thessaloniki's first beer house-cabaret in the early 20th century. Colombo's establishment was so successful that the area came to bear his name.

The complex's structural framework consists of reinforced concrete, with walls constructed using single and double brickwork.

According to Thessaloniki's General Zoning Plan (GG 420/D/27.04.1993), land use in the area permits central city operations, including residential, commercial, office, restaurant, cultural facilities, low-impact professional laboratories, educational institutions, and trade fair facilities.

Ground Floor

The ground floor spans 1,370 square meters and includes 60 stores with a combined surface area of 950 square meters. The stores are arranged along a network of galleries in an "H" shape, featuring two longitudinal sections and one cross-section. There are two entrances on Egnatia Street and two on Ptolemaion Street, with the galleries covering a total of 420 square meters.

The floor plan features a column grid forming three aisles, with stores flanking the passages on either side. This layout creates two lateral open areas that provide access to the basement. The floor is constructed with pitched, inclined slabs of reinforced concrete, while overhead, elevated skylights ensure natural lighting and ventilation.

Building on Egnatia Street

This building comprises a ground floor facing Egnatia Street, three main floors, and a terrace. Each floor measures 270.30 square meters, including a communal staircase, and is designated for residential use. The terrace features storage areas totaling 156.80 square meters. The building is not equipped with an elevator or central heating.

Building on Ptolemaion Street

This building consists of a ground floor facing Ptolemaion Street, one main floor, and a terrace. The main floor also measures 270.30 square meters, including the communal staircase, and is designated for residential use. The terrace contains storage areas with a total surface area of 101.30 square meters. Like the Egnatia Street building, it lacks an elevator and central heating.