Thessaloniki largely owes its reconstruction after 1917 to Eli Modiano. Born in 1881, Modiano, son of banker Jacob Modiano, studied in Paris at the École Centrale des Arts et Manufactures. Upon his return to his hometown, he undertook important public and private projects, such as the Thessaloniki Customs House, the Alessandro Manzoni School, the Modiano Market and the Jacob Modiano Villa. In 1922 he was awarded the title of knight by the King of Italy Victor Emmanuel