Zorlu Center

Zorlu Center Towers on Büyükdere Avenue

Zorlu Center is a multiple-use complex in the Zincirlikuyu quarter on the European side of Istanbul, Turkey. 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 (O-1 Motorway) and Büyükdere Avenue which leads to the central business district of Levent. It contains Zorlu Center PSM, the largest performing arts center in the country, as well as the country's first Apple store.[1]

History

Zorlu's public square
View from Zorlu's public square
Zorlu's Apple store
Zorlu Center, interior view

In 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 the European connection of the Bosphorus Bridge (O-1 Motorway) 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 Mimarlık and Emre Arolat Mimarlık 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 was completed in 2013.

Architecture

The center is a four-tower, five-function structure group, including a public square, residential development 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]

Zorlu Center PSM, the largest performing arts center in the city, was developed and created by Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment.[6] It features a 770-seat theater as well as a 2,300-seat concert hall.[7] The Raffles Istanbul Hotel and spa opened in September 2014.[8] The shopping center also contains numerous restaurants and cafes including the Italian Eataly, Jamie’s Italian, and Tom’s Kitchen.[5]

Retail

The shopping center contains over 200 shops, 40 cafés and restaurants.[9] It contains branches of luxury firms such as Beymen, Atelier Rebul, Vakko, Cos, Moncler, Bulgari, Pomellato, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Lanvin, Dior, Miu Miu, Burberry, Tory Burch, Michael Kors and Valentino, and Istanbul's (and the country's) first Apple store.[10] 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] It contains the Morini restaurant, owned by the AltaMarea Group, and serves Italian and Mediterranean cuisine under chef Michael White. Atelier Rebul is operated by Rebul, the city’s oldest drug store, and is a boutique selling specially made beauty products, including lavender, green tea, or jasmine.

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. 1 2 3 "Zorlu Center is Finally Open". Theguideistanbul.com. 10 October 2013. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  6. "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.
  7. Gorvett, Jon (14 July 2011). "Mixed-Use Zorlu Center Raises Stakes in Istanbul". The New York Times. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  8. "Raffles Istanbul". Raffles.
  9. "Shop at Istanbul's glossy Zorlu Center". Global Blue. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  10. Retail Market Study North and Latin America 2014. Location Group AG. 27 February 2014. p. 598. ISBN 978-3-9524279-4-1.
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Coordinates: 41°3′59″N 29°1′1″E / 41.06639°N 29.01694°E / 41.06639; 29.01694

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