The location of the future municipal theater was a hill between the two ancient ports of Piraeus (Cantharus and Zea). The building was designed by Ioannis Lazarimos (1849-1913) with the goal of endowing the city with a theater equal to what could be found in major European cities. It would be a symbol of the new ruling class. The sloping ground enabled the architect to include a series of stores on three sides. The theater is perfectly symmetrical, rectangular, measuring 34x45 m. and can accommodate approximately 1300 spectators.