The Riviera Tower, also known as the Marina Tower at Ellinikon, will become one of the best-known residential buildings in Greece. As a prominent landmark on the Athens Riviera, Marina Tower is expected to attract international buyers who will purchase apartments they will occupy for only part of each year.

Given that there will be a number of high value, high visibility apartments in Marina Tower with multiple periods of vacancy throughout the year, we believe that there is a unique opportunity for home watch and check services to provide protection for a high-value asset in a prominent building where small problems, security gaps and environmental factors can rapidly develop into larger issues.

Not Luxury Extras — Protect Your Property

We want to make sure you understand that we are not offering luxury extras. We are providing a level of protection to ensure that your property remains safe and free from problems while you are away.

Risk of Burglary and Unauthorized Access to the Building

When an owner purchases a condo in a high-rise like Marina Tower, he/she should expect that it will attract the attention of potential thieves. There are several reasons why an owner of a condo in a high-rise building may be at greater risk of burglary:

  • Many owners will reside outside of Greece.
  • Condos may be vacant for extended periods of time (weeks or months).
  • The owners’ condos have high-end finishes, which implies that the contents may be of significant value.

Although a high-rise building has its own security measures, unauthorized persons may still gain access to the building. This can happen through:

  • Following someone into a common area (tailgating).
  • Access to a service entrance or shared facility.
  • Human error (as opposed to a failure of the security system).

An unoccupied condo is also more likely to be noticed. For example, no lights, no signs of people being inside, etc.

A professional home watch service helps to mitigate this risk by:

  • Providing regular activity in the unit.
  • Inspecting the exterior doors, locks, and balcony entry/exit points.
  • Recognizing early warning signs of forced entry or tampering.
  • Taking immediate action if anything appears to be wrong.

Security systems react after an incident occurs. A home watch service acts before an incident occurs.

How High-Rise Buildings Make Problems Develop More Quickly

Problems in a high-rise building seldom stay confined to one apartment.

A small problem can become a bigger issue affecting:

  • The apartments below or beside it.
  • The building’s shared systems (e.g., electrical, mechanical, plumbing) etc.
  • The owner’s relationships with the building manager and/or other neighbors.

Some of the most common problems in unoccupied high-rise condominium units include:

  • Leaks under kitchen sinks or behind walls.
  • Faulty HVAC or air conditioning equipment.
  • Electricity outage, resulting in loss of cooling/refrigeration.
  • Clogged balcony drains due to recent storms.

Without regular checks, problems such as those listed above may not be discovered until significant damage is done and repair costs are excessive.

Environmental Concerns/Risks Associated with Coastal Location of Marina Tower

The waterfront location of Marina Tower is one of its main advantages. However, it also presents ongoing exposure that needs to be monitored.

Wind and Pressure at Higher Elevations

Higher elevation wind loads are greater than those experienced by units at ground level. This can result in wear and tear on balcony doors/windows seals, movement of furniture on balconies, pressure-related moisture intrusion etc.

While these are not necessarily catastrophic failures, they begin subtly and can grow quietly over time.

Salt Air/Humidity

Constant direct exposure to the ocean means constant exposure to salt laden air/humidity in an enclosed apartment. In the enclosed apartment, this can cause:

  • Corrosion of metal components.
  • Buildup of moisture.
  • Development of odors over time.
  • Stress to ventilation systems.

Regular ventilation/inspection is necessary to prevent long term damage.

Storms and Heavy Rainfall

Storms along the coast can test the:

  • Drainage systems on balconies.
  • Seals on windows and doors.
  • Joints in the building facade.

A clogged drain or minor seal failure can allow water to infiltrate and spread before anyone becomes aware of the problem.

Post-storm home watch visits help to determine whether a minor repair can be completed quickly and inexpensively or if major restoration work will be required.

What Does Home Watch Mean at Marina Tower?

Home watch is not simply a quick visit and/or a concierge service. It is a planned property monitoring process designed specifically for empty residences.

Our home watch program for Marina Tower is focused entirely on risk avoidance and early detection.

What We Inspect During Each Home Watch

During each home watch, we follow a standard list of items to ensure that nothing is missed.

Each home watch involves an examination of the entire interior of the apartment including:

  • Interior walk-through of the entire apartment.
  • Examination of entrance doors, locks, and balcony entry/exit points.
  • Inspection of balcony for standing water/movement of furniture.
  • Check for airflow and operation of the apartment’s ventilation systems.
  • Flush all faucets/toilets to protect the plumbing systems.
  • Look for signs of leaks in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and utility areas.
  • Check for signs of excess humidity and odor.
  • Check for proper function of all appliances/electrical systems.
  • Verify the status of basic smart-home systems.
  • Document the condition of the apartment via photographs after every home watch.

If an issue is found, you are contacted promptly with photographs and instructions for resolution.

Why Home Watch is Important for Investors/International Buyers

Many of the Marina Tower buyers will:

  • Reside outside of Greece.
  • Only spend time in their Greek homes seasonally.
  • Use their property as an investment.

The reliance upon building security, or sporadic visits, creates gaps in coverage.

A home watch service provides:

  • Documented and scheduled inspections of the property.
  • Prompt response if something goes wrong.
  • Single source of contact for the maintenance/operation of the apartment while the buyer is outside Greece.
  • Ongoing supervision of the property regardless of the buyer’s absence.

Property Never Truly Unattended

Buyers who maintain insurance for their property should be aware that their insurance policies typically require reasonable care of their unoccupied property. Failure to document regular inspections of their property can cause complications if they need to make a claim regarding:

  • Water damage.
  • Burglary/theft.
  • Electrical fires.

Professional home watch services provide:

  • Documentation of visits made to the property.
  • Photographic records of the condition of the property.
  • Record of the property having been inspected regularly.
  • Documentation of the supervisory efforts made to protect the property.

Documentation can be crucial when making a claim with your insurance company.

Why Being Local is Important at Ellinikon

The Marina Tower is located in a constantly changing area. Coastal exposure and construction activities create a dynamic situation. It is essential to have local knowledge to respond to emergencies, understand the impact of coastal weather conditions on upper-floor units, and facilitate communication with technicians if needed. Remote oversight cannot protect assets of this type/value.

Customized Home Watch Programs for Marina Tower

Since no two owners use their apartments in the same manner, our customized home watch programs can be tailored to meet individual needs based on:

  • Size of apartment.
  • Absence patterns.
  • Seasonal weather exposure.
  • Purchase/investment or usage.

The frequency of visits can be increased during extended absences, winter storms, etc., and decreased when the owner is residing in the apartment.

Protecting an Iconic Property

Owning an apartment in Marina Tower represents a responsibility to protect a landmark building. Leaving a high-value, high-visibility apartment unmonitored creates a growing risk with time.

A professional home watch service protects against burglary, prevents small problems from becoming large problems, and insures the apartment is secure, properly maintained, and available to the owner at his/her earliest convenience.

For Marina Tower owners, a home watch service is not an option. It is a fundamental aspect of responsible ownership in one of the most visible residential buildings in Greece.