The City’s New Shopping and Gastronomy Neighborhood 

Galataport Istanbul features a total of 230 food & beverage and retail stores. Around 52,000 square meters of the total leasable area is set aside for shopping and food & beverage establishments, whereas total leasable office space is 43,000 square meters. All of the brands included in Galataport Istanbul, whether they enter the Turkish market for the first time or not, provide their services based on a concept centered on experience, suitable for all audiences and different tastes. The project has a broad range of store options, ranging from 20 to 2,000 square meters. Galataport Istanbul is poised to become the new gastronomy neighborhood of the city, with 40% of its leasable area reserved for food & beverage establishments, situated in an area that had been home to a variety of different cultures in the past, Galataport Istanbul features numerous domestic and international brands that offer a wide selection of Turkish and world cuisines. It will offer certification and inspection for the local food & beverage industry, enabling visitors to experience certified and hygienic street food in a safe manner. 

Istanbul’s New Hub of Culture, Arts and Design 

Galataport Istanbul houses the finest works of modern art in Turkey with the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art and Mimar Sinan University Istanbul Museum of Painting and Sculpture, both of which are located inside its premises. Located in the center of the Clock Tower Square, the Tophane Clock Tower, dating back to 1848, has been restored on-site using a special technique. Commissioned by Sultan Abdulmejid in the 19th century and bearing his tughra, or royal seal, the Tophane Clock Tower attracts Istanbul residents and visitors to the city alike as a monument that blends the historical with the modern, embracing memories and moments in time, and represents time and transformation. Galataport Istanbul will host a variety of culture, arts and design events throughout the year, which is projected to drive a 72% increase in cultural and artistic events in the vicinity. 

Respect for Historical Heritage 

Several heritage buildings located within the project site are also being restored to embellish the city once again, and are made more resilient with soil improvement works. Among these, the Parcel Post Office, the oldest structure on the pier, is one of the iconic symbols of the project with its characteristic slate roofs and façades. Three other heritage buildings, namely the Merkez Han, Karaköy Passenger Terminal and Çinili Han are also undergoing restorations to serve as the location of the Peninsula Istanbul hotel. 

The Peninsula Istanbul 

Part of the Peninsula Hotels chain, which has investments in 10 prestigious locations across the globe, the 177-room Peninsula Istanbul will be situated directly across the city’s historical peninsula. In addition to the three protected buildings, the hotel also inhabits a newly constructed ballroom, which features a guillotine facade that can be opened in a mere fifteen seconds. The Peninsula Istanbul was developed with an investment of €300 million, and has already brought in a direct foreign investment of €150 million for the national economy. The hotel is planned to open in 2023. 

Innovative and Flexible Office Solution 

Galataport Istanbul features a number of flexible office spaces, the architecture and decoration of which have been designed with social distancing in mind. Offices spaces are brightly lit with natural light thanks to the glass facade, creating an airy environment that boosts employee motivation. Buildings also have terraces that provide employees access to open air. The office spaces encompass an area of 43,000 square meters planned with new generation working environments in mind. Low-rise buildings are also conveniently accessible by stair. Emergency stairways located at the core of each building’s layout allow employees to reach their offices without close contact. 

The World’s First Underground Cruise Ship Terminal 

Positioned as a homeport, Galataport Istanbul, with the capacity to serve three ships and 15,000 passengers per day, is set to vitalize cruise tourism across an extensive region from the Mediterranean basin to the Black Sea. Galataport Istanbul features a hatch system, the first of its kind in the world, and a 29,000-square meter underground terminal, both of which have already received great praise. The hatch system separates the customs and security (ISPS) areas when there is no ship berthed at the port, creating a temporary customs area and keeping the promenade open to public. Thanks to this innovative application, the amazing Karaköy shoreline, which had been closed to public access for around 200 years, is becoming one of the premiere walkways in the city.