Nisantasi’s historical buildings

Historic apartment buildings in Istanbul

Istanbul is famous for palaces, mosques and waterfront mansions, but some of the city’s most interesting architecture is found in its historic apartment buildings. From Akaretler’s restored row houses in Beşiktaş to the literary apartments of Teşvikiye and Nişantaşı, these buildings tell the story of Istanbul’s transition from Ottoman capital to modern city.

For buyers interested in character properties, historic apartment buildings in Istanbul offer prestige, atmosphere and a strong sense of place. However, they also require careful due diligence, especially around restoration quality, title deed structure, building age, maintenance costs and earthquake-related renovation requirements.

Where are Istanbul’s famous historic apartments located?

Most of the buildings in this guide are located around Beşiktaş, Akaretler, Nişantaşı and Teşvikiye. These neighbourhoods have long been associated with Istanbul’s educated, cosmopolitan and affluent classes, which is one reason their apartment buildings often have strong cultural stories attached to them.

Akaretler is especially important because of its proximity to Dolmabahçe Palace and Beşiktaş. Nişantaşı and Teşvikiye, meanwhile, became known for elegant apartment living, European-influenced architecture and high-end urban life.

Akaretler Row Houses

The Dolmabahçe Palace Row Houses, better known as Akaretler Row Houses, were started by Sarkis Balyan in 1875 during the reign of Sultan Abdülaziz. They are widely considered one of the first examples of mass housing in Turkey.

Some of the houses were designed as accommodation for palace staff, while others were used as rental homes. Building number 76 is especially significant because Zübeyde Hanım, the mother of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, lived there for a period.

The Akaretler Row Houses were restored in 2008 and today form one of the most attractive historic streets in Beşiktaş, combining heritage architecture with restaurants, galleries, offices and luxury residences.

Antik Konak

Antik Konak is estimated to have been built in 1889. The building is instantly recognisable to many Turkish viewers because of its association with the television series Avrupa Yakası, although the series itself was filmed on a set rather than inside the building.

Designed as a corner building at the junction of two streets, Antik Konak has a stepped facade and seven floors including the basement. Its unusual form makes it one of the most memorable apartment buildings in the area.

Başaran Apartment

Başaran Apartment was designed by architect Muhittin Binan and commissioned by tobacco merchant Hakkı Başaran. It is best known for Konak Cinema, which operated on the ground floor and became one of the most fashionable cinemas of its period.

Konak Cinema was one of the first major cinemas outside Beyoğlu and attracted Istanbul’s well-dressed social crowd. The building was originally planned with six floors, before an additional floor was added. Sadly, the cinema space is now in poor condition and awaits sensitive restoration.

Kamela Apartment

Kamela Apartment is remembered less for its architecture and more for the people connected to it. Rasih Nuri İleri, one of the pioneers of socialism in Turkey, lived in the building during the 1930s.

The apartment is also associated with writer Sabahattin Ali, who was hidden there while wanted by the police. His story Sırça Köşk was published during this period, giving the building a special place in Istanbul’s literary history.

Marmara and Sümer Apartments

The Marmara and Sümer twin apartments were completed in 1932 by Rafael Alguadiş, who was also the architect of Emek Cinema. The buildings combine Art Deco and Art Nouveau influences, making them important examples of early Republican apartment architecture in Istanbul.

Both buildings also contain murals by Nikolay Kalmikoff in their entrance halls, adding artistic value to their architectural importance.

Pamuk Apartment

Pamuk Apartment is located in Teşvikiye and is closely associated with the family of Orhan Pamuk, Turkey’s Nobel Prize-winning novelist. Pamuk has often written about the emotional and cultural memory of Istanbul apartments, and this building is part of that personal geography.

Some readers and critics associate the apartment with Şehrikalp Apartment in Kara Kitap, one of Pamuk’s best-known novels.

Ralli Apartment

Ralli Apartment carries traces of both Art Deco and Art Nouveau on its exterior. It is also known for its connection to artist Fahrelnissa Zeid, one of the major names in Turkish and international abstract art.

The building hosted Zeid’s first solo exhibition, followed by a second exhibition the following year. Ralli Apartment is also remembered as one of the places connected to former Turkish Prime Minister Adnan Menderes and Suzan Sözen.

Tozan Apartment

Villa Tozan was designed by architect Giulio Mongeri in 1920. It was originally planned as a two-storey building, but was later converted into five floors at the request of Satvet Lütfi Tozan, the famous Turkish spy, collector and businessman.

After Tozan’s death, the building was donated to Darüşşafaka. Over the years, several well-known names including Haldun Dormen, İlber Ortaylı, Zafer Algöz and Bennu Gerede lived there.

Vedat Tek Mansion

Vedat Tek Mansion was designed by Vedat Tek, often described as Turkey’s first formally trained architect. He lived in the building with his family, making it both a personal residence and an architectural statement.

The building carries elements of the First National Architectural Movement, although its composition differs from some of Tek’s other works. Decorative tile details around the upper window sections give the mansion a distinctive character.

Buying historic apartments in Istanbul

Historic apartments can be highly attractive for lifestyle buyers, especially in neighbourhoods such as Akaretler, Beşiktaş, Nişantaşı and Teşvikiye. They often offer architectural character, prestigious addresses and strong long-term scarcity value.

However, they are not always straightforward purchases. Buyers should check whether the building is registered, whether restoration permissions are restricted, how the title deed is structured, whether there are unresolved maintenance issues, and whether the building requires earthquake-related strengthening or redevelopment.

FAQ: Historic apartment buildings in Istanbul

Where are the most famous historic apartment buildings in Istanbul?

Many of the best-known historic apartment buildings are found in Beşiktaş, Akaretler, Nişantaşı, Teşvikiye and nearby central districts. These areas were historically associated with palace life, elite housing, culture and modern urban development.

Are historic apartments in Istanbul good investments?

They can be, especially when located in prestigious neighbourhoods with limited supply. However, buyers should consider building condition, restoration costs, earthquake resilience, legal status and maintenance obligations before purchasing.

What is special about Akaretler Row Houses?

Akaretler Row Houses were built in the late Ottoman period and are considered one of Turkey’s earliest examples of mass housing. They were restored in the 2000s and are now one of Beşiktaş’s most prestigious historic streets.

Can foreigners buy historic apartments in Istanbul?

Yes, foreign buyers can generally buy apartments in Istanbul, including older and historic properties, subject to standard legal checks. However, extra due diligence is recommended for historic buildings.

What should buyers check before buying a historic apartment?

Buyers should check title deed status, building registration, restoration rules, structural condition, earthquake compliance, common area obligations and whether the building has any legal or municipal restrictions.