The Tallest Buildings in Istanbul

The tallest buildings in Istanbul are testament to the fact that city skylines reveal a lot about the people who live there. Among the ruins of the Ottoman Empire, which include bridges, famous sites, and mosque minarets, they stand out as symbols of a generation that breaks records. Humanity has always sought to push boundaries, and building enormous structures is just one way to do it. Therefore, this is nothing new. Throughout history, notable leaders have sought to construct important monuments as symbols of their riches, authority, and control.

Two prime examples are the expansive Topkapi Palace royal complex and the Hagia Sophia, which was once the largest domed structure in the world and is located in the Sultanahmet neighbourhood of Istanbul. Both buildings date back to the time when Istanbul was known as Constantinople. Moving on to other nations, the French Palace of Versailles, spanning more than 67,000 square metres, is yet another outstanding example. Humanity developed a growing obsession with height over size over time. Additionally, towering landmarks are not meant to flaunt wealth.

They are a status symbol that conveys the idea that nothing is beyond our power and they exhibit intelligence, inventiveness, and success. Even an official body exists that establishes precise guidelines for what constitutes a tall building. The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitats, or CBUTH, is an international organisation with a branch in Istanbul due to Turkey's preoccupation with towering buildings. Which Istanbul landmarks, then, best capture the city's reputation as a leader in architectural trends?

 Istanbul's Four Tallest Structures

1: Skyland, Istanbul's Tallest Structure

According to official statistics from CBUTH, Skyland, fittingly named, is the tallest building in Istanbul, Turkey, and ranks seventh in Europe. The building, which is 284 metres (932 feet) tall, is made up of three towers that house retail stores, offices and a home design centre. The two taller buildings, with 65 and 64 floors, were finished in 2017. Skyland was designed by architect Peter Vaughan, who also finished a number of projects in the UK, including the 50-story Seyrantepe Towers. Purchasing a penthouse suite will cost you more than six figures due to the building's prestigious status as Istanbul's tallest structure.

2: Metropol Skyscrapers

Metropol was supposed to be the tallest building until Skyland stole the title by just 4 metres, so it was a fierce competition between two titans! The construction of Metropol, located in Atasehir, cost an astounding 800 million dollars. Designed by the British architecture firm RMJM, the landmark building has 58 floors and a height of 280 metres. The project, which consists of three skyscrapers and two smaller buildings, has a shopping centre, a 16-screen movie theatre, an outdoor promenade, office space, and residential apartments.

3: Istanbul's Diamond

For the group behind the Diamond of Istanbul skyscraper, things didn't go according to plan. Technical issues caused the construction to stop, and the Sheraton hotel sued them for obstructing their view of the Bosphorus. As per CBUTH, the project's status is currently under suspension. A 300-room, five-star hotel, a 35,000-square-meter mall, a massive aquarium, office space, botanical gardens, five levels of subterranean parking, residential apartments, and a conference hall with space for 1,400 people are all part of this expansive development. With subterranean parking excluded, the project spans 268 metres and 48 levels. According to the investor Hattat Holding, they have reapplied to the Ministry of Urbanisation and Environment.

4: Sapphire Tower

Up until 2017, the tallest skyscraper in the city was located in the plaza of Sapphire Tower, a well-known landmark. At 261 metres, with 55 stories above and 10 below, the Sapphire building is the 12th tallest structure in Europe. Once more, this structure houses 187 apartments, a mini-golf course, restaurants, movie theatres, retail stores, and office space in addition to other lifestyle amenities. But because atriums and gardens were inserted between the outer shells, the design was revolutionary and residents never felt the drawbacks of living in an urban area. Go up to the restaurant on the roof terrace if you're in the Levent neighbourhood for a captivating view of the city skyline.

More Towering Structures in Turkey

Although this well-known city likes to take the lead in everything the nation does, Istanbul's skyscrapers might soon surpass all others in the world. The Folkart Highlife tower in Izmir is slated to soar to a height of 400 metres, while the Merkez Ankara office tower, with a planned height of 301 metres, will rank as Turkey's second-highest structure.

Keep an eye on this space as the CBUTH has not yet confirmed its status. Leaving aside Istanbul's towering skyscrapers, the Taksim Ataturk Cultural Centre, another iconic landmark, is set to be replaced with a brand-new, contemporary structure that embodies the best of contemporary Turkish architecture. Go here to learn more about the project.

Please look through our inventory of Istanbul apartments and villas for sale if you're interested in making a real estate investment in Turkey. All the information you need to plan a viewing or learn more about a property is included in each listing, including the price, location, features, and contact information.

Alternatively, if you're interested in learning more about Istanbul's housing styles, this discussion about the city's tallest buildings may be of interest to you. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the housing market, covering everything from new, contemporary apartments to traditional, old-fashioned wooden mansions.