The Highest Buildings of Istanbul

Istanbul's highest skyscrapers are only one example of how city skylines can reveal a lot about the residents who live there. They stand out amid the Ottoman empire's ruins, which include bridges, famous sites, and mosques' minarets, as representatives of a generation that tries to set records. Massive buildings are only one way that humanity has always sought to push the envelope, so this is nothing new. Famous kings have always sought to create notable landmarks as a symbol of their money, power, and supremacy.

The expansive Topkapi Palace royal complex and the Hagia Sophia, previously the largest dome in the world and located in the Sultanahmet neighborhood and reflecting a time when Istanbul was known as Constantinople, are two excellent examples. Moving on to other nations, the French Palace of Versailles, which spans over 67,000 square meters, is yet another excellent example. Humanity started to become more preoccupied with height as time went on and less with size. Additionally, tall structures are not meant to flaunt affluence.

They are a status symbol that suggests there is nothing we cannot do and symbolize creativity, success, intelligence, and invention. Even an official organization has established guidelines for what constitutes a towering structure. Given Turkey's concern with tall buildings, the CBUTH (Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitats) has a branch there as well. Which Istanbul landmarks, then, best capture the city's position as a pioneer in architectural trends?

Four of Istanbul's tallest structures

1: Skyland, Istanbul's tallest structure

According to CBUTH statistics, Skyland (a fitting name) is the seventh-highest structure in Europe and the tallest structure in Istanbul, Turkey. The building, which has three towers and is 284 meters (932 feet) tall, consists of office space, residences, retail spaces, and a home design center. The two higher structures have 65 and 64 stories and were completed in 2017. Skyland was created by architect Peter Vaughan, who also finished other buildings in the UK and the 50-story Seyrantepe Towers. Considering that it is Istanbul's tallest skyscraper, purchasing a penthouse unit will cost you more than six figures.

2: Skyscrapers in Metropol

It was a close race between two enormous structures since Metropol would have become the tallest skyscraper until Skyland edged it out by only 4 meters! Metropol, located in Atasehir, has a startling construction cost of 800 million USD. The 58-story, 280-meter-tall monument was created by the British architectural company RMJM. The project, which consists of three towers and two smaller buildings, has a shopping center, a 16-screen movie theater, an outdoor promenade, office space, and residences.

3: Diamond of Istanbul

The team behind the Diamond of Istanbul skyscraper's plans didn't go as expected. In addition to being sued by the Sheraton hotel for obstructing their view of the Bosphorus, building was suspended due to technical issues, and as of CBUTH, its status is pending. A 300 room 5-star hotel, a 35,000 square meter shopping center, a massive aquarium, office space, botanical gardens, five stories of underground parking, residential apartments, and a conference room for 1400 people are all included in the expansive construction. The project includes 48 storeys and a height of 268 meters, not including subterranean parking. Hattat Holding, the investor, claims to have reapplied to the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization.

Up until 2017, a well-known landmark called Sapphire Tower's plaza housed the highest building in the city. The Sapphire building is the 12th tallest structure in all of Europe, standing at 261 meters with 55 storeys above ground and 10 below. With office space, 187 apartments, a mini-golf course, restaurants, theatres, retail malls, and more, this skyscraper once again unites all lifestyle components under one roof. Atriums and gardens were sandwiched between the outside shells, a novel design choice that ensured occupants would never experience the drawbacks of an urban existence. If you're in the Levent neighborhood, go to the restaurant on the top terrace for a breathtaking view of the cityscape.

More Tall structures in Turkey

Although this well-known metropolis enjoys setting the pace for the nation, Istanbul's towers could soon lose their top spot. The Folkart Highlife skyscraper in Izmir is expected to reach a height of 400 meters, while the Merkez Ankara office tower is expected to reach a height of 301 meters, making it the second-tallest structure in Turkey.

Watch this space since the CBUTH has not yet confirmed its status. Putting aside Istanbul's lofty structures, the Taksim Ataturk Cultural Centre will be replaced with a new, contemporary counterpart that showcases the finest of contemporary Turkish architecture.

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If this discussion about Istanbul's tallest structures has caught your interest, you might also be interested in reading about the city's many housing designs. This page discusses everything from new, contemporary flats to ancient, old-fashioned wooden mansions, providing a complete picture of the housing industry.