# Onassis Foundation Launches Six Rings Cultural Retail Hub in Athens A historic arcade transformation blending international fashion, local art, and community experiences. - **Source:** [architecture archives | designboom | architecture & design magazine](https://brifing.si/source/1e716da2-18e6-4704-96a6-818e7860b99f) - **Published:** 2026-11-04 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/cdb7a2fe-2af5-42c9-87bf-4dbdb807ea4f ## Historic Arcade Urban Transformation The Onassis Foundation is revitalizing the historic Matala Arcade in central Athens into a multifaceted destination. Scheduled for a December 2026 opening, the project, named Six Rings, occupies 99 Patission Boulevard. This initiative aims to blend retail with cultural production, breathing new life into a significant architectural complex within the city center. ## Artistic Direction and Identity Artistic Director Afroditi Panagiotakou and Head of Fashion Stavros Karelis lead the project. British artist Tim Etchells designed the visual identity, featuring a neon facade inspired by Aristotle Onassis’s vision for Olympic Airways. The interior architecture, crafted by Loukas Bakas, emphasizes a dynamic interplay between construction and deconstruction, creating a contemporary home-like atmosphere. ## Curated Global Fashion Selection Six Rings hosts a diverse retail mix, including the first Athens shop-in-shop for Yohji Yamamoto. The space features adidas Y-3 alongside collaborations with designers like Grace Wales Bonner, Rick Owens, and Simone Rocha. These international labels sit alongside local Athenian businesses, such as the Hyper Hypo bookshop and Kopria flower shop. ## Supporting Local Greek Talent The project actively integrates the Greek creative ecosystem through specific programming. The DIALOGUES initiative, curated by Yiorgos Eleftheriades, showcases emerging local designers. Furthermore, the inclusion of brands like IT’S A SHIRT and Yiorgos Eleftheriades ensures that the retail space serves as a platform for domestic fashion talent within an international context. ## Educational and Creative Residencies Beyond commerce, Six Rings functions as a hub for artistic development and mentorship. A partnership with Central Saint Martins will launch a fashion residency in 2027 under the Onassis AiR program. The space will also host workshops, artist commissions, and rotating artworks from the extensive Onassis Collection to foster ongoing creative dialogue. ## Music and Culinary Integration The broader Matala Arcade development incorporates sensory experiences beyond fashion. The Wine is Fine team will operate an all-day food and drink concept, while STEGI.RADIO provides curated soundscapes. These elements transform the arcade into a comprehensive lifestyle destination, moving away from traditional retail models toward a more immersive, community-focused cultural environment. ## The Petridis Collection Expansion In late 2027, the project will expand to the floor above Six Rings to house the Petridis Collection. This space will showcase the extensive record archive of Greek radio producer Giannis Petridis. It will feature dedicated listening areas and music-focused events, further cementing the arcade’s role as a center for cultural preservation. ## Strategic Cultural Catalyst Six Rings represents a shift in how foundations utilize real estate to drive cultural engagement. By combining retail, art, and education, the Onassis Foundation creates a self-sustaining hive for unexpected encounters. This model positions the historic arcade not merely as a shop, but as a catalyst for future-facing connections in Athens. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.designboom.com/architecture/onassis-foundation-global-fashion-greek-creativity-historic-athens-arcade-six-rings-tim-etchells-loukas-bakas/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._