Neighbourhoods of Istanbul: Nisantasi

Nisantasi, where the practice is based, is Istanbul’s most fashionable neighbourhood and is famous for its stunning Art Nouveau apartment buildings and its plethora of designer label stores. It is undoubtedly Istanbul’s most elegant quarter and it is home to several prominent figures of the Turkish jet-set, culture, and art. There is a refreshingly large choice of excellent and stylish restaurants and the stores of world-famous brands such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Hugo Boss, Escada, Kenzo, Prada and many more.

In the 18th century, Nisantasi was transformed in a Europeanised district within Istanbul. The heart of the neighbourhood is the point where Vali Konagi street dissects Rumeli and Tesvikiye Avenues. Nisantasi is where the locals go to hang out, to see and be seen. Abdi Ipekci Caddesi is the Turkish equivalent of 5th Avenue with rich boutiques and trendy cafes lined up along its sides.

All the beautiful buildings along Macka, Valikonagi and Abdi Ipekci Streets have their own individual stories, and together they go to make up the history of this elegant area. For instance, Macka Palas, the historic building which houses the Emporio Armani and Gucci stores, as well as the Park Hyatt Hotel, was built in 1922 by the famous architect Giulio Mongeri for Munire Hanim, the granddaughter of Sultan Abdulmecid.

City’s Nisantasi Shopping Centre, is located on the street of Tesvikiye which is the heart of retail shopping in the luxurious district of Nisantasi.

The Sofa Hotel on Tesvikiye Street is in a stylish building, full of contemporary art. Among the boutiques and stores present in the district are luxury brands such as Prada, Louis Vuitton, Armani, Gucci, Escada, Max Mara, Laura Ashley, Hermès, Alexander McQueen, Roberto Cavalli, Ermenegildo Zegna, Brioni, Valentino, Burberry, Tod’s, IWC and Cartier. Local shopping mecca Beymen (which carries Dior, Miu Miu, Michael Kors, and many more names) has a fantastic multi-storey building in which they present their latest collections, along with other brands ranging from Marc Jacobs to Viktor&Rolf, Balenciaga and Chloé.

Many leading Turkish labels, such as Gönül Paksoy, Beymen, and Vakko, have also set up shop in the area. Nisantasi is also one of the best neighbourhoods for jewellery shopping, with a number of major international jewellery chains, such as Tiffany’s and Cartier, and some of the best known Turkish jewellers, such as Urart and Gilan.