Originally built at the end of the 19th century, this yalı (waterfront house) had been declared an Historical Monument of the II. Degree, but demolished in 1981 according to a previous restoration project. When the project came to our office in 1983, new restitution and restoration projects were designed with the guidance of old measured drawings, ruins, and photographs. Subsequently, the building was reconstructed over a 26-month period and restored to its original state by 1985.
The original building was built with masonry on the ground floor and wood on the upper floors. The old yalı was positioned on the seashore with a boathouse underneath. During the new restoration process, the yalı has been pulled back eight meters from the waterfront. The quay has been built on piles in order to protect it both from the vibrations generated by heavy vessel traffic on the Bosphorus and from probable accidents by boats using the nearby pier. In the new construction of the yalı, the plan texture, axial symmetry, space planning, as well as the outer façade and materials have been designed in accordance with traditional Turkish architecture, while the structure and installations fit contemporary technology standards. The original building was a family mansion, and today it still serves one family, unlike many renovated old mansions that look like a single house from the outside while being divided into apartments on the inside.
