VIDEO: Balaton town’s notorious “Greek Village” demolished to make way for new residential park
The controversial and long-abandoned “Greek Village” in Balatonfüred is officially gone. What once stood as a failed tourism project (and later a divisive party venue) is now being transformed into a modern residential complex known as Anna Residential Park (Anna Lakóliget).
A past of unfulfilled promises
Construction of the Greek Village began in 1994 with high hopes of creating a lively commercial district full of shops, restaurants, and cafés. It was meant to replace the former Huray Market as a bustling centre for locals and tourists alike. However, the ambitious project quickly ran out of funding, VG writes. With few visitors and tenants, the area never came to life and gradually fell into disrepair.
Efforts to revitalise the site continued into the 2000s. In 2008, a company named Sundance Park Ltd. took over and tried to reinvent the area as Sun City, a summer entertainment district that hosted concerts and attracted young partygoers. While it gained popularity among youth, its loud nightlife divided locals and eventually wore out its welcome.
In 2023, the city launched a full-scale demolition of Sun City. By 2024, the remnants of the Greek Village, often referred to as a “ghost town”, had been completely removed. Only one former gatehouse building remains as a quiet reminder of the past.
A greener future on the horizon
Construction has now begun on Anna Residential Park, a new residential development planned to be completed by summer 2027. The four-hectare site will feature not only housing but also a significant amount of green space. According to local zoning laws, half of the land must become a public park, while the remainder will also include green areas to maintain the small-town atmosphere.
Cranes are already at work on the levelled site, and the project is progressing rapidly, as shown in recent footage from Balaton Television.
Balatonfüred is booming
The Greek Village redevelopment is just one part of a wider transformation in Balatonfüred. According to VG, the lakeside town is currently experiencing a surge in construction projects, including:
- Two new hotels: one four-star, 50-room hotel near the new Balaton Leisure and Conference Centre, and the luxury Le Méridien BalaPort Lake Balaton Resort, expected to open soon with over 100 rooms.
- A two-story changing facility and a new 200-person beach area along Aranyhíd Promenade.
- Completion of the local market hall renovations.
- A planned cycling centre in the Forrás Sport Park.
Balatonfüred continues to evolve, blending its historical charm with new developments aimed at both residents and visitors. While the loss of the iconic but problematic Greek Village marks the end of an era, it also signals a fresh start for one of Lake Balaton’s most popular destinations.
Read more news about Lake Balaton HERE.
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