Index:
Before we start: Some introductory notes about the Istanbul apartments
Galata’s yellow star: Doğan Apartment
The first Art Nouveau landmark in Istanbul: Botter Apartment
A century-old witness to Istiklal Avenue: Mısır Apartment
The magnificent atlantes of Şişhane: Frej Apartment
History overlooking the Golden Horn: Deniz Palas
A legacy reborn from the ashes: Tayyare (Harikzedegân) Apartments
The sculptural façade of Ayaspaşa: Gümüşsuyu Palas
A symbol of transition from mansions to apartments: Maçka Palas
First apartment buildings on the Asian Side: Valpreda Apartment
Before we start: Some introductory notes about the Istanbul apartments
- The start of the conversion into apartments in Istanbul was marked by the 1839 Imperial Edict of Reorganization (a major step towards modernization in the Ottoman Empire) and the necessity of masonry buildings (stone/brick) after the major fires in Beyoğlu.
- The first luxury apartments of the city were built for mostly Levantine families, foreign bankers, and Ottoman bureaucrats in Beyoğlu, Galata, and Şişhane regions.
- Istanbul’s first reinforced concrete buildings (Mısır Apartment, Tayyare Apartments) were constructed at the beginning of the 20ᵗʰ century, becoming pioneers of modern civil engineering in the city.
- With their libraries, art details and famous courtyards, Istanbul’s historic apartments shaped the social transformation of that time as well.
Galata’s yellow star: Doğan Apartment
One of the most iconic, most photographed and most legendary structures in Istanbul is Doğan Apartment in Galata. This building rising in all its splendor on the Serdar-ı Ekrem Street was constructed for Albert Helbig, a banker of Belgian origin, in Italian architectural style in 1894-1895. Initially known as “Helbig Apartment”, it became a favorite residence in Istanbul for foreign elites and diplomats of the time. This building stands out with its U-shaped plan, a ceiling height of 3.5 to 4 meters, green shutters and its amazing shared courtyard overlooking the Bosphorus. However, what makes it unique is not only its architectural elegance but also the hidden story in its name: This beauty was bought by Kazım Taşkent, the founder of Yapı Kredi Bank in 1942. Taşkent decided to name the building after his young son Doğan Taşkent who lost his life in an avalanche in the Swiss Alps.
The yellow building that has been home to so many artists and a natural film set for many cult Turkish films remains one of the most fascinating apartments in Istanbul. And it still defies time as the most prestigious monument of the shift toward vertical architecture. After you finish your walk on the Serdar-ı Ekrem Street, find the hidden gems of the district from our blog post: The Heart of Dersaadet (The Gate of Happiness): A Memorable Day in Taksim
The first Art Nouveau landmark in Istanbul: Botter Apartment
Istiklal Avenue No. 235, near the Swedish Consulate building: Botter Apartment. It represents a unique milestone among Istanbul’s historic structures. Designed in 1900-1901 by the court architect Raimondo D’Aranco of Italian origin for Jean Botter who was of Dutch origin and served as Abdul Hamid II’s court tailor and fashion designer, this building is considered the first Art Nouveau structure in Istanbul.
Another reason why Botter Apartment is unique is its function. On its ground floor, there was a fashion house and a store; on the upper floors, there were living spaces of the family, which makes it one of the first examples in Istanbul that brought trade and residence together under the same roof. The plant-motif borders on the façade, figures of flower-adorned human heads and a balcony with wrought-iron bars show how strongly D’Aronco adopted the art movement of the Vienna Secession.
After the Botter family emigrated to Paris, the building was owned by various people and abandoned for years. Then it underwent an extensive restoration to finally reopen as Casa Botter Art and Design Center in 2023. Today, it hosts art exhibitions and holds the title of being one of the rare historic buildings on Istiklal Avenue that you can enter and explore.
A century-old witness to Istiklal Avenue: Mısır Apartment
A century-old structure standing tall catches your eye when you walk down on Istiklal Avenue towards the Galatasaray Square: Mısır Apartment. Built in 1910 by Abbas Halim Pasha, Grand Vizier Sait Halim Pasha’s brother, Muhammad Ali of Egypt’s grandson and a statesman, the building was designed by the famous Armenian architect Hovsep Aznavur. Mısır Apartment’s greatest importance to the history of architecture is that it is one of the first reinforced concrete buildings in Istanbul.
Featuring the most elegant Art Nouveau decorations on its façade, this building has served almost as a “haven for intellectuals”. Mehmet Akif Ersoy, the writer of our National Anthem, spent his last days in an apartment in this building after returning from Egypt, where he lived for many years, and passed away in Mısır Apartment in 1936. Writer Mithat Cemal Kuntay, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s dentist Sami Günzberg and one of the first women sculptors of the republic, Iraida Barry were among the important figures who lived in this apartment building.
Today, Mısır Apartment houses contemporary art galleries like Zilberman Gallery and Galeri Nev and continues to watch Istiklal Avenue’s hustle and bustle serenely. Don’t forget to look up and take a look at the beautiful turquoise arch when you walk by it.
If you wish to expand your knowledge about Beyoğlu art life, our art content is a good place to start.
The magnificent atlantes of Şişhane: Frej Apartment
You arrive at the Şişhane Square. What you see first is Frej Apartment, a structure that dazzles you with all its grandeur and mesmerizes you with statues on its façade. It was built in 1905-1906 by Selim Hanna Freige (Selim Hanna Frej, as he was commonly called), a wealthy Christian merchant from Beirut. And its architect was Konstantinos Kyriakidis whose works you can find in many corners of Istanbul.
Frej Apartment’s façade stands out with the bravest and most elaborate combination of Art Nouveau and Neo-Baroque styles in Istanbul. The most striking feature of the building is the giant male figure sculptures (architectural term: atlant, atlas or atlantid) carrying the second-floor balcony on their shoulders. These sculptures add a touch of a mythological and monumental vibe to the building.
Alas! The story of the Frej family, who lived in great wealth, ended sadly. Over time, the family accumulated more and more debts to the municipality, and the building passed into others’ hands as a result of foreclosure. Having remained vacant and gone to rack and ruin for years, this architectural masterpiece has an educational purpose within Istanbul Galata University after a successful restoration.
History overlooking the Golden Horn: Deniz Palas
A couple of steps from Frej Apartment, near the Sadi Konuralp Street exit of Şişhane metro station, stands another building: Deniz Palas. Based on a design by architect Georges Coulouthros, the building was registered in the 1932 Pervititch insurance maps as Kirzade Apartment. It is considered to be one of the first reinforced concrete buildings of Istanbul.
With each of its floors shared by three flats in the original plan, this seven-floor structure has a total construction area of approximately 4,200 square meters. But its size is not what makes Deniz Palas charming. It is its location. Its façade, overlooking the Golden Horn and the historical peninsula from the Pera hills, immediately reveals itself as you step through the marble-stairway entrance. It’s still a mystery when and by whom it was called Deniz Palas, though.
The structure was bought by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV) in 2004. During the restoration work which started in 2006 under the guidance of architect Mimar Doğan Tekeli, 1920s-style hand-drawn decorations were uncovered on the ceiling when the carton-pierre work from the 1940s was removed. In 2009, the foundation moved in, and in 2011, it was named Nejat Eczacıbaşı Building. Salon on the ground and first floor still hosts concerts and performances.
A legacy reborn from the ashes: Tayyare (Harikzedegân) Apartments
There is another special structure among the historic apartment buildings in Istanbul: Tayyare Apartments in Laleli. In 1918, a destructive fire left thousands of Istanbulites homeless in Fatih, Cibali, and Altımermer neighborhoods. After this catastrophe, the state launched a housing project to provide these fire victims (harikzede) with modern and safe houses. Architect Kemaleddin Bey, one of the legendary figures of Turkish architectural history, who is also on the back of the 20 Turkish lira banknote, was appointed to the project.
This huge complex (originally known as Harikzedegân Apartments) has two important titles: Istanbul’s first mass social housing project and one of the earliest examples where a fully reinforced concrete frame system was implemented. A unique synthesis of the First National Architectural Movement, it blends a modern multi-story residential design with traditional Turkish architectural elements such as tiles, arched windows, and dome details.
Consisting of a total of 124 apartments, this building was used as a residential building for many years before it was transferred to the Turkish Aeronautical Association (Tayyare Cemiyeti). And it was called Tayyare Apartments. Although it was converted into a luxury hotel after 1985, it still stands as a strong manifestation of solidarity and architectural genius.
The sculptural façade of Ayaspaşa: Gümüşsuyu Palas
On the street going down from Taksim to Dolmabahçe, at number 18 Inönü Street, there stands a charming building that makes your walking pace slower with a lot of sculptures on its façade: Gümüşsuyu Palas. Until 1939, it was known as Azaryan Apartment, its original name. When the Azaryan family who built it left the country and sold the property, people started to call it by its current name. The building also underwent extensive renovations, including the addition of central heating and an elevator.
There is no consensus among the sources about the construction date and architect of Gümüşsuyu Palas. The prevailing story is that it was built in the early 1900s and that its architect is unknown. Some researchers attribute the design to architect Leon Gurekian, the son-in-law of the Azaryan family.
One thing is certain: Its glamorous façade has no rival in Istanbul. The six-story masonry building, including the basement, features a technique of applying finely cut stone-imitation plaster over brick. The façade, where Art Nouveau, Neo-Baroque, and imperial elements intertwine, is adorned with Doric columns, frames, and sculptures of women’s heads placed atop the columns. Art historians Diana Barillari and Ezio Godoli attribute this intense sculpture & decoration use to Italian architect Adolfo Coppedè’s style. If you happen to take a walk in Ayaspaşa, pay special attention to the contrast between this building and the former Japanese Consulate building next to it.
A symbol of transition from mansions to apartments: Maçka Palas
Located at the corner of Maçka Street and Bronz Street, the monumental Maçka Palas tells the story of how Istanbul transitioned from mansion culture to apartment living. Maçka Palas now stands on the site of what was once the mansion of Münire Sultan, granddaughter of Sultan Abdülmecid. In 1922, Maçka Palas was built by Italian Vincenzo Caivano who came to Türkiye for railway contracting work. The design is by Giulio Mongeri, a leading figure of the First National Architectural Movement.
Istanbul-born Mongeri who was a grandson to a Levantine family is also the architect of the Church of Saint Anthony of Padua on Istiklal Avenue. It is said that while he was designing Maçka Palas, he was inspired by palazzi in Milan where he was studying. This apartment building, once the tallest in the neighborhood, was designed to offer rentals to the employees of the Italian consulate right across it.
But there is more to this building. Maçka Palas, whose apartments were used as residences for many years, was once a popular meeting hub for the literary world. Poet Abdülhak Hamit Tarhan and novelist Kerime Nadir are among the notable figures who lived here. Following its restoration, the building was first converted into a bank headquarters and, since 2008, has operated as a hotel under the name Park Hyatt Istanbul-Maçka Palas.
First apartment buildings on the Asian Side: Valpreda Apartment
The conversion into apartment buildings didn’t take place in Beyoğlu only. Yeldeğirmeni, Kadıköy that rapidly changed with the construction of Haydarpaşa Railway Station is known as the first apartment district on the Anatolian side of Istanbul, and its star is, without doubt, Valpreda Apartment. The seven-story, 14-apartment building on Akif Bey Street in Rasimpaşa neighborhood was built in 1909 by Levi Kehribarcı.
The building is popularly known as the Italian Apartment. The reason is that the Italian workers who did the stone facing work of the Haydarpaşa Railway Station lived in this building. With its Art Nouveau-inspired façade, high ceilings and masonry construction, it is one of the first tall residential buildings in Istanbul.
And the legends about it are as famous as its architecture itself. Rumor has it that there is a secret tunnel connecting the building to Haydarpaşa Railway Station, but there is no record to prove this claim. What’s certain is that it is a true bearer of memory: Aron Angel, an architect and urban planner who designed the current Bağdat Avenue, was born in 1916 in this apartment. The building, which has been awaiting restoration for many years, is still one of the most photographed locations in the streets of Yeldeğirmeni, a neighborhood adorned with colorful murals.
If you want to explore the neighborhood and its surroundings, the routes in our Places to visit in Kadıköy guide pass just a few streets away from this apartment building.
These nine apartment buildings are the silent witnesses of the conversion from wooden mansions into multi-story tall buildings in Istanbul. To experience this route from Galata to Yeldeğirmeni with your own steps, book your flight to Istanbul now and venture out into the city streets, discovering a new story on every façade.
The images used in this article were created using artificial intelligence.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most famous historic apartments in Istanbul?
Istanbul’s well-known historic apartment buildings include Doğan Apartment, Botter Apartment, Mısır Apartment, Frej Apartment, Deniz Palas, Tayyare Apartments, Gümüşsuyu Palas, Maçka Palas, and Valpreda Apartment. These structures are located particularly in historical districts of Istanbul such as Beyoğlu, Şişhane, Nişantaşı, Laleli, and Kadıköy.
When did the conversion into apartments start in Istanbul?
In Istanbul, the conversion into apartments gained momentum in the mid-19th century. Following the Tanzimat (Reorganization) period, major fires in Beyoğlu and its surrounding areas paved the way for the widespread replacement of wooden structures with stone and brick masonry buildings. A significant number of the first luxury apartment buildings were constructed in Beyoğlu, Galata, and Şişhane.
What is the first Art Nouveau apartment building in Istanbul?
Botter Apartment located on Istiklal Avenue is considered the first Art Nouveau structure in Istanbul. Designed by Raimondo D’Aranco for Abdul Hamid II’s court tailor Jean Botter, this building was built in 1900-1901. Today, it serves as Casa Botter Art and Design Center.
Why is Doğan Apartment so famous?
With its yellow color, green shutters, U-shaped plan and shared courtyard overlooking the Bosphorus, Doğan Apartment in Galata is one of the most iconic apartment buildings in Istanbul. Built in 1894-1895, it is also known for having been home to artists for many years and for appearing in various film productions.
What are the first reinforced concrete apartments in Istanbul?
Mısır Apartment, Deniz Palas, and Tayyare Apartments are some important examples of early reinforced concrete apartments in Istanbul. Tayyare Apartments whose construction was completed in 1922 are particularly significant not only as one of the earliest examples of the fully implemented reinforced concrete frame system, but also as one of Istanbul’s first mass social housing projects.
Are there historic apartment buildings in Istanbul that I can enter?
Yes. Some historic apartment buildings are now used for cultural, artistic, educational or accommodation purposes. Botter Apartment houses Casa Botter Art and Design Center; Deniz Palas, the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts; Frej Apartment, Istanbul Galata University. Maçka Palas and Tayyare Apartments have been converted into hotels.
Which is the most prominent historical apartment building on the Asian side of Istanbul?
Valpreda Apartment in Yeldeğirmeni, Kadıköy is one of the most striking historic buildings on the Asian side. Also known as the Italian apartment, the building was constructed in 1909 and is among the early examples of tall apartments built for residential purposes in Istanbul.
