This is an example of one of the oldest Neoclassical buildings in Athens, it was designed in 1833 by the Danish architect Hans Christian Hansen and was built as a shopping centre in 1834, following the style of European shopping centres of that era, but was later abandoned. In 1852 it was bought by an Austrian company and in 1854 changed hands once more being acquired by “Athanasias Douroutis and Co”.

From 1855 till 1875 it worked as a silk mill under the name “The Greek Silk Company” becoming one of the largest silk factories in the Balkans and the first steam-powered mill of it’s time. At it’s peak, in the middle of the 1850s, it employed over 400 workers, the largest proportion of which were women. There were 400 silk reeling machines which required at least one worker each. The General Manager was Athansios Douroutis who built his house within the factory precinct.

It is worth mentioning that the factory gave it’s name to the entire area of Athens in which it is situated (Metaxourgeio), by which it is still known today. Today the renovated building of the silk mill houses the Athens Municipal Art Gallery. One room holds the permanent collection and the other hosts temporary exhibitions.