The new Acropolis museum is seen in front of the 2,500-year-old Parthenon temple in Athens on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2007. Greece's Culture Minister has angered architects and conservationists by clearing the way for demolition of a protected architectural gem in central Athens to improve the view from the landmark new Acropolis Museum.

George Voulgarakis' decision, signed Aug. 30 but made public Wednesday, revoked state protection for the ornate art deco building "to allow an unimpeded view of the Acropolis (from the new museum)."  It added that demolition of the 1930 building - and of an adjacent house owned by Oscar-winning composer Vangelis Papathanassiou - would allow the plot to be excavated "to reveal antiquities whose existence is considered highly likely."

But residents, who have launched an international e-mail campaign to save the structure, vowed Wednesday to challenge the decision in court.