Akaretler: An Experience-Focused Living Space
We spoke with Akaretler General Manager Ece Akpulat about the cultural events that Akaretler Sıraevler hosts — including Artweeks Istanbul — about its mission and future plans, as it aims to transform into a contemporary culture and design hub while preserving the area's historic fabric.
What does the Akaretler Sıraevler project mean to Bilgili Holding?
Bilgili Holding's fundamental philosophy is to look out for the public and continuously create added value for society. It places great importance on social responsibility as well as on cultural and artistic events.
For Bilgili Holding, which has realized many valuable projects, Akaretler is the signature project that best reflects the company's perfectionist approach to renovation. With its international prestige, Akaretler carries both strategic and symbolic significance for Bilgili Holding. It is a clear example of the Holding's expertise in preserving cultural heritage and creating modern living spaces.
As the Ottoman Empire's first mass housing project, Akaretler represents a 150-year historical legacy. Bilgili Holding has worked to protect this heritage while turning the area into a vibrant cultural and artistic hub. Throughout the process, great care has been taken to preserve the original architectural fabric, while modern infrastructure and sustainable solutions have also been integrated into the project.
For Bilgili Holding, Akaretler is not just an investment project but also a venture that has strengthened brand value and brought international recognition. Prestigious awards such as the Urban Land Institute (ULI) have helped the project gain global recognition.
Akaretler Sıraevler has long held a special place on Istanbul's cultural and social map. In recent years, however, the area has found its own rhythm. How did this transformation begin?
Akaretler Sıraevler's history dates back to 1875, to neoclassical row houses built for the pashas of Dolmabahçe Palace. But the real transformation began with Bilgili Holding's visionary restoration. We didn't just restore it; we also gave Istanbul a new axis of life, culture and commerce. Today, Akaretler has become a multi-layered living hub — from design-driven shops to fine restaurants, cultural events to creative office spaces.
Akaretler Sıraevler is no longer just a shopping or residential area but a cultural destination. Is this multi-faceted structure the result of a deliberate strategy?
Absolutely. We didn't approach Akaretler as a classic commercial project but as a living, continuously evolving urban platform. Türkiye's most distinguished design brands are here: we bring together local production and global storefronts with brands such as Raisa & Vanessa, Misela, Nackiyé, Muse for All and Nishane. It is also a strong gastronomy stop, with venues such as The House Café, Sushi & Spice, Cookshop and Emporio Ristorante offering stylish open-air dining. Divan Hotel and its restaurant, opening at the end of the year, will complete this picture.
What are the critical factors that lead luxury brands to choose this location?
The most critical factor in luxury brands' choice of Akaretler Sıraevler is the unique prestige and strategic location it offers. Located right in the heart of Beşiktaş — close to the Bosphorus view, surrounded by palaces and museums — this historic fabric provides brands with both local and international visibility. The restored 150-year-old Ottoman buildings align perfectly with luxury brands' "special and select" image. The luxury residences, boutique hotels and art galleries in the area also directly overlap with these brands' target audience.
Another draw is the experience-focused living space enabled by the mixed-use model. Beyond luxury retail, the art events, gastronomy festivals and exclusive atmosphere created by a limited number of carefully chosen brands deliver value far beyond an ordinary shopping experience. Its proximity to Galataport also makes the area a destination for international tourists, helping brands reach global customers.
All these factors combine to make Akaretler Sıraevler not just a sales location but a strategic platform reinforcing brand identity.
What criteria do you prioritize when matching new tenants with vacant spaces in a prestigious project like Akaretler? Which sectors or concepts do you aim to collaborate with?
With its historic fabric, Akaretler remains one of Istanbul's most distinctive life and culture hubs, continuing to welcome select brands and creative projects. Some of our currently vacant spaces are awaiting new, high-quality tenants in line with the project's dynamic nature. In this process, we prioritize long-term collaborations aligned with Akaretler's spirit and vision.
Every spot in our location comes to life with carefully selected concepts. Once our vacant spaces find new occupants, the unique experience Akaretler offers will be enriched further. We invite interested brands to become part of this special atmosphere.
Akaretler also hosts many cultural events. How did this connection with art develop?
We didn't conceive of this area as merely a shopping street, but as a curated living axis with gastronomy and entertainment venues as well. Art is a cornerstone of this concept. We host both local and international artists through events such as Artweeks Istanbul, ADA Show, 212 Photography Istanbul and ONE Akaretler. This is a space where fashion, design and art speak together. Brands also rent the villas periodically for events and launches, contributing to this dynamic. This enriches the experience for both brands and visitors.
How did the idea of adding the Ritz-Carlton Residences as a venue for Artweeks Istanbul develop? How will the 12th Edition being held simultaneously at two venues make a difference?
For the journey of Artweeks Istanbul — one of the most dynamic gatherings of Türkiye's contemporary art scene — the historic and warm atmosphere of Akaretler Sıraevler provided the perfect ground. As Artweeks Istanbul grew and its vision expanded, we sought a venue that could add a new breath, a different experience. The Ritz-Carlton Residences Istanbul Block B — with its 6,600 m² space, modern infrastructure suitable for contemporary art presentations, and easily accessible location in the heart of the city — was a perfect fit.
The simultaneous staging of the XII Edition at two venues from October 15–26 will add a layered structure to the event. Visitors will encounter a different curation within the historic fabric of Akaretler Sıraevler, then experience an entirely different art experience just minutes away in the modern, airy atmosphere of The Ritz-Carlton Residences. This creates a dialogue between "History and Future," "Tradition and Modernity." With the motto "Two Locations, One Artweeks," we aim to offer art lovers a holistic yet diverse discovery route, bringing different fabrics of Istanbul together through art.
It's no coincidence that Akaretler is sometimes called a "Design Street," is it?
No — on the contrary, it was a designation we aimed for. It is very rare in Türkiye to find a street structure with such deep history that also supports contemporary design. Akaretler has become an open-air platform in Istanbul combining style, art and the city's rhythm. This creates a different experience for visitors as well — evoking a sense of discovery rather than just shopping.
What lies ahead for Akaretler in the coming period?
Our vision for the coming period is shaped around three core themes: sustainability, supporting local creative production, and making art more accessible. Among our priorities are increasing collaborations with brands that nourish Istanbul's creative energy, opening space for next-generation cultural and digital event formats, and offering visitors not just shopping, but an inspiring experience.
Additionally, there are currently a few limited rentable spaces available at Akaretler — a significant opportunity especially for creative brands, boutique stores, prestigious restaurants and corporate headquarters. Its location, intertwined with historic heritage and carrying a vibrant, distinguished identity, makes Akaretler not just an address but a statement.
Today, being at Akaretler means more than holding a physical space — it means being part of a sophisticated community established in Istanbul's cultural memory. That's why this is an opportunity brands shouldn't miss.
Akaretler Sıraevler is one of those rare places that combines historic aesthetics with the spirit of today. In a city like Istanbul, where a place can be at once a shopping district, a culture spot and an inspiration zone — Akaretler becomes not merely a venue, but an experience.
