The Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, stated: “The Ministry of Culture, within the framework of designing and implementing a comprehensive program for the protection and promotion of buildings owned by the State in Plaka — the neighborhood that is more closely associated than any other with the character of Athens’ historic center — is advancing the restoration of the ‘Kokovikos House’ — as it has come to be known, the cinematic home of Antonakis and Elenitsa from the Greek film ‘The Woman Should Fear the Man’ — and its conversion into a cultural space for screening Greek cinema films. The preservation, restoration, and reuse of a monument-building, which is one of the few remaining ‘Athenian houses,’ contributes to its integration into contemporary life. This effort reconstructs the historic image by restoring the main adjoining structure, a large part of the courtyard connected to the building, and the restoration of the plot’s facade, producing multiple benefits for the development of the street and the historic site of Plaka. Our goal is to strengthen the unique historic and cultural character of Plaka, respecting its monumental status, while also boosting Athens’ tourism appeal through the promotion of new cultural destinations. Alongside the Koletis House on Polygnotou Street, the Elytis House, the building at 7 Dioskouron Street—which is intended to host the Karolos Koun Museum—the Kostis Palamas House on Periandrou Street, and the ‘Kokovikos House’ on Tripodon Street, we are creating a core of building infrastructures for cultural uses, highlighting the various facets and eras of Athens’ history. I thank the Regional Governor of Attica, Nikos Hardalias, for our exceptionally fruitful cooperation in strengthening and upgrading the capital’s and Attica’s cultural identity.”

According to the approved study, the historic appearance of the building is being restored, its monumental character is being highlighted, and universal accessibility is ensured. Restoration works are carried out on the building’s envelope and the reconstruction of the main adjoining two-story structure, in order to restore the typology of the Athenian courtyard, combined with the management of the Tripodon Street façade, as well as the functional upgrade of the building for its new use. At the same time, the ancient architectural remains found inside the building and in its courtyard are being preserved, while ensuring their unobstructed visibility.

The building, with a total area of 266 sq.m., is three stories high and features a continuous wooden veranda (chagiati) on all levels, corresponding to the standards of the early Othonian period. It is part of a complex that once included accompanying buildings and an inner courtyard—a typology that prevailed during the Ottoman era in Plaka. The existence of the main building along with its annexes is documented for the period 1836-1837. It is a palimpsest due to the presence of preserved visible antiquities at a level lower than the ground floor, both inside the building on its lowest level and in the former courtyard area. The building has undergone a series of interventions and modifications caused by changes in the courtyard (demolition of accompanying buildings and boundary walls), excavation research carried out in almost the entire area and inside the building, as well as comprehensive repairs. The form of the property is preserved through period evidence.