It isn't every day that a country's Prime Minister turns
up to open a new shopping and residential development but tomorrow,
Tuesday 30 May, at 15:00 hrs, the Turkish Premier, His Excellency
Recep Tayyip Erdogan lends his support to the inauguration of Kanyon,
a 'city within a city' in Levent, Istanbul.
The $200 million development is a clear indication of the face of
modern Turkey. This combined with the recent announcement that seminal
architect Zaha Hadid has won the international competition to work on
a new master plan for the city shows Turkey's determination to bring
Istanbul to the fore among the world's cities.
Indeed, Kanyon is no ordinary development. Its creators have set
themselves the not inconsiderable task of redefining urban living for
modern Istanbul. A fusion of 179 residential apartments, a 26 story
office block and nearly 40,000square meters of retail space. With its
opening today, Istanbul has gained a vibrant new destination
neighbourhood in the city.
Kanyon combines its luxury residences, local and upscale retailers
and state-of-the-art offices in an organic, open-air design that
includes an amphitheatre, plazas and rooftop park spaces where
workers, residents and visitors can gather. The unique design, which
is distinct from Istanbul's many mixed-use districts and enclosed
shopping malls, has helped attract stylish residents and many
well-known retail brands that are new to Turkey.
Kanyon is a partnership between the Eczacibasi Holding Company and
IS Real Estate Investment Trust, a division of Isbank, two of Turkey's
largest and most important companies.
Markus Lehto, Managing Director of Kanyon says:
'Kanyon is the result of many years' hard work and the great
vision of IS Real Estate Investment Co. and Eczacibai. It is a totally
new approach to mixed use development, putting the needs of humans
before everything else. For the retail area, natural light, green
space, high-touch design, cutting edge local and global brands, all
combine in a streetscape setting and create a truly magical
environment, offering both locals and visitors a chance to experience
something unique and memorable.'
The designers for Kanyon are the Jerde Partnership the world's
leading 'experiential' architectural practice and creators of such awe
inspiring Japanese schemes as Roppongi Hills, Tokyo and Canal City,
Fukuoka. Together with Turkey's leading architectural practice
Tabanlioglu and world renowned ARUP engineering, Kanyon stands out as
a one of a kind project in the West.
Kanyonis a bold and visionary development that sets new benchmarks
for the modern international city and is a clear indication of
Turkey's progress as it strengthens its position as a major centre for
tourism, commerce and the arts.
