Zorlu Center

Zorlu Center is a multiple-use complex in the Beşiktaş district of Istanbul, Turkey containing an upscale shopping mall, a five-star Raffles hotel and a Cinemaximum megaplex, as well as residences and offices. It is home to Zorlu PSM, the largest performing arts center in the country, as well as the country's first Apple Store.[1]

Zorlu Center
The complex as seen when facing southeast
General information
TypeRetail, office, hotel, residential
AddressKoru Sokak No: 2
Levazım, Beşiktaş
Istanbul, Turkey
Construction started2008
Completed2013
Opened10 October 2013
OwnerZorlu Holding
Technical details
Floor area615,885 m2 (6,629,330 sq ft)
Design and construction
ArchitectEmre Arolat Architects
Tabanlıoğlu Architects
Website
www.zorlucenter.com.tr

Built in 2013 to a design by Emre Arolat Architects and Tabanlıoğlu Architects, the center is situated at the junction of the European connection of the Bosphorus Bridge and Büyükdere Avenue, which runs through the central business districts of Levent and Maslak.

History

At a public auction in 2007, Zorlu Real Estate, a subsidiary of Zorlu Holding, submitted the highest bid (US$800 million) to purchase the land at the junction of O-1 - the European connection of the Bosphorus Bridge, and Büyükdere Avenue.[2] It subsequently announced the "Zorlu Center Architecture and Urban Design Competition" for concept and design proposals. Over 100 firms applied and 13 were selected to take part in the competition with Tabanlıoğlu Architects and Emre Arolat Architects submitting the winning proposal.[3] A Vision in Architecture: Projects for the Istanbul Zorlu Center (2012) by Süha Özkan documents the design competition.[4] Construction of the project was completed in 2013.

Architecture

The center is a four-tower, five-function structure group, including a public square, residential development, hotel, and office space. The design is stated to be "shaped by a modern understanding of architecture", based on the concept of a historical town square, incorporating "bold geometric lines that frame the sky, as well as large expanses of greenery".[5]

Retail

The shopping center contains over 200 shops, 40 cafés and restaurants.[6] It contains stores of luxury brands such as Beymen, Atelier Rebul, Vakko, COS, Moncler, Bulgari, Pomellato, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Lanvin, Dior, Miu Miu, Burberry, Tory Burch, Michael Kors and Valentino, as well as Turkey's first Apple Store.[7] Beymen's largest store in the center covers some 10,000 square metres (110,000 sq ft) filled with "every fashionable item imaginable, from ready-to-wear to couture, cosmetics to home accessories, menswear to womenswear, accessories to books, and designers that are not available anywhere else in the city".[5] Atelier Rebul is owned by Rebul, Istanbul's oldest drug store, and is a boutique selling specially made beauty products, including lavender, green tea, or jasmine.

Zorlu Center also contains numerous international restaurants and cafés, including Eataly, Jamie’s Italian, and Tom’s Kitchen.[5] It also houses the restaurant Morini, owned by the AltaMarea Group, serving Italian and Mediterranean food under chef Michael White.

Hotel
Main article: Raffles Istanbul

The Raffles Istanbul Hotel and Spa opened in September 2014.[8] It is home to 3 restaurants, 49 suites and 136 guest rooms.

Zorlu Performing Arts Center
Main article: Zorlu PSM

Zorlu PSM, the largest performing arts center in the city, was developed by Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment.[9] It features a 770-seat theater as well as a 2,300-seat concert hall.[10]

References
  1. Ryan, John (22 April 2014). "Store gallery: The Zorlu Center is the new face of Istanbul". Retail Week. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  2. "Zorlu Center / Emre Arolat Architects + Tabanlıoğlu Architects". Arch Daily. 12 June 2014. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  3. "The Zorlu Group: History". Zorlu. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  4. Özkan, Suha (2012). A Vision in Architecture: Projects for the Istanbul Zorlu Center. Rizzoli International Publications, Incorporated. ISBN 978-0-8478-3854-7.
  5. "Zorlu Center is Finally Open". Theguideistanbul.com. 10 October 2013. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  6. "Shop at Istanbul's glossy Zorlu Center". Global Blue. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  7. Retail Market Study North and Latin America 2014. Location Group AG. 27 February 2014. p. 598. ISBN 978-3-9524279-4-1.
  8. "Raffles Istanbul". Raffles.
  9. "Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment joins forces with Zorlu Property Group in the development and creation of Istanbul's largest performing arts center to open 2013". Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  10. Gorvett, Jon (14 July 2011). "Mixed-Use Zorlu Center Raises Stakes in Istanbul". The New York Times. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
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