Doğan Apartment: An Italian Architectural Gem in Beyoğlu

Doğan Apartment stands like a time capsule in the heart of Beyoğlu, on Serdar-ı Ekrem Street, parallel to İstiklal Avenue. 
It's dazzling yellow facade, a creation by Italian architect Raymondo d’Aranco, was commissioned by the Belgian banker Albert Helbig in 1894. Initially known as Helbig Apartment, the building has over time changed hands and names alike.

In 1942, Kazım Taşkent purchased this historic structure and, following a tragedy, it began to be known by a new name. Taşkent, who lost his son Doğan in an accident in the Alps, preserved his legacy by naming the apartment in his memory. To this day, Doğan Apartment remains a living monument and a vestige of the past in the silhouette of Istanbul.

This historic apartment has hosted scenes from unforgettable Turkish cinema productions like Muhsin Bey and Eşkiya. It has also been home to some of Turkey's leading artists such as Şener Şen, Sezen Aksu, and Okan Bayülgen, and holds the distinct honor of being the birthplace of Teoman.

Reflecting the spirit of it's era, Doğan Apartment continues to serve as a home for many, yet can only be visited with special permission. Located on Serdar-ı Ekrem Street, this iconic structure forms a bridge from the past to the present with it's striking architecture and proximity to İstiklal Avenue.

 

Photo by M. Serdar Kılıç