The Sancaktepe Tower complex is a mistery on the landscape of abandoned structures in Istanbul. Very few information could be gathered about this large unfinished construction located in the Asian side of the city.
Searching the internet, we identified the complex as the headquarter of the Ozaktaç İç ve Dış Tic. A.Ş. holding. When ARKollective called the company to know more about the status of the construction process, we were informed that no information was available and that no date was in sight for the completion of the works.
The building is composed by a two level podium that could be either used for retail or office space and two twin towers with 14 storeys each. The towers are totally unfinished, showing only its concrete structure and few enclosing brick walls. On the other hand, in the podium, finishing materials were already applied on the façades and curtain walls enclose its space. If only the fitout works were done, probably the space could be put in use.
The location of the complex is excelent due to its proximity to the TEM highway, that serves the first and second ringroads of Istanbul’s metropolitan area and connects the East side of the city with the two main bridges that cross the Bosporus to the European side. This highway crosses a great number of terciary and factory poles, working as the backbone of an imense business and industrial area.
It is possible that one of the reasons for the interruption of the construction is the tight proximity of the two towers, which poses problems regarding fire safety. Placing an evacuation stair between them is one of the most common solutions for such cases.
Independent of the quality of the design, what shocks us is that in such a crowded city, with an imensity of clandestine buildings and people living and working in unsafe conditions, this building rests to rotten and serving no purpose.
All photos by Uğur Yavuz.
The set of articles under the name “Abandoned Buildings of Istanbul – Data Gathering” being prepared and shared by ARKollective, aim to raise awareness over a very common phenomenon happening in Istanbul and in many major cities around the world. To read more about large abandoned buildings in Istanbul and ideas that might change their condition, please check our previous posts:
Abandoned Buildings of Istanbul – Data Gathering – The TAT Towers
Abandoned Buildings of Istanbul – Data Gathering – The Merter AVM
Abandoned buildings of Istanbul – Data Gathering – The Bostanci AVM
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