A final look at Doğan Apartment: Trees to be cut down, historic building and fountain to be inaccessible

Hazal Güven - 12punto.com.tr

It has been decided to build an architectural office on the vacant lot adjacent to the Doğan Apartment, located in Beyoğlu, one of Istanbul's historic districts. Work has begun on the site where the office belonging to the company Autoban Mimarlık will be built.

When the project, which has been attempted to be approved for 4 years, is completed, the front of the Doğan Apartment, built in 1894, and the historic fountain located on the building's facade will be completely blocked off.

TREES WILL BE CUT DOWN

The trees located on the land in question will also be cut down. Those in the vicinity are concerned about how strictly the project will be adhered to.

THE JUDICIARY HAD PREVIOUSLY HALTED IT

Located on Serdar-ı Ekrem Street and built in 1894, the apartment building constitutes one of the most unique examples of the Italian architectural style.

The historic Doğan Apartment has hosted films such as "Muhsin Bey" and "Eşkıya," starring Şener Şen. In 2017, the judiciary had halted construction on block 145, parcel 58, located next to the apartment. The project had received approval from the Conservation Board, and the Beyoğlu Municipality, which was under AKP administration at the time, had issued the construction permit within the scope of that approval.

Opposing the decisions of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Beyoğlu Municipality, local residents had requested the cancellation of the administrative proceedings in the Istanbul Administrative Court, stating that the project intended to be built next to the Doğan Apartment—which is registered as an example of 'civil architecture that must be preserved'—could cause irreparable damage to the apartment and was clearly 'contrary to the law.'

Both those living in the neighborhood and the shopkeepers are reacting to the resumption of construction.