The Islamic art collections of the Benaki Museum will be housed in a complex of neo-classical buildings located in the historical centre of Athens, at the corner of Agion Asomaton and Dipylou street, in the Kerameikos district. Currently undergoing restoration, the complex of buildings was presented to the Museum by the late Lambros Eftaxias, who in his later years served as Honorary President of the Museum Board of Trustees.

The complex comprises one three storey house and one two storey house, the facades of which were listed in 1989. Major archaeological sites located in the same area include the grounds of the ancient Agora (currently undergoing development), the Doric temple of Hephaistos (the "Theseio") and the Museum of the ancient Kerameikos necropolis (cemetery).

On the basis of the officially approved architectural and structural design drawn up for the the Benaki Museum by the architect P. Kalligas and the civil engineer G. Sparis, the Directorate of Special Works of the Ministry of the Environment, Town Planning and Public Works undertook in 1996, as a part of the programme for the redevelopment of the Kerameikos district, to carry out work to reinforce the two buildings and to strengthen the ornamental features of their facades.

During this preservation work a section of the ancient city wall of Athens and an ancient tomb were uncovered at the level of the houses' foundations. Following discussions between the Museum and the 3rd Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities it was decided that the finds should remain in situ and the area at basement level should be re-designed so as to make them accesible to visitors. To this end the initial design was immediately modified to allow for the finds made during excavation work to be preserved in accordance with contemporary methods of presenting associated cultural remains.