Submitted by Berrin Chatzi Chousein

Istanbul Begins Construction On Its Own Wall Street!

Turkey Architecture News - Mar 17, 2013 - 16:46   3832 views

Istanbul Begins Construction On Its Own Wall Street!

HOK’s master plan for the New Istanbul International Financial Center includes a commercial plaza with canopies that push through an overhang like trees.

In its bid to become a global center of finance by 2023, Istanbul has begun construction on the New International Financial Center, a massive complex of green-roofed, lattice-skinned high rises on a 170-acre site near the city’s historic center. In a time marked by the decline of centralized finance hubs—helped along by the New York Stock Exchange’s fading relevance—Istanbul’s $2.6 billion investment is perhaps a long bet. It’s also an experiment in how to make a financial powerhouse from scratch. In HOK’s master plan, there’s not a cobblestone in sight. We’re in the 21st century, the era of green roofs and geometric floral canopies! Read more.

Istanbul Begins Construction On Its Own Wall Street!

When the financial center opens at the end of 2016, it will offer 45 million square feet of office, conference, retail, hotel, residential, and park space. HOK divided the site into four districts: civic, commerce, culture, and governance. The firm is also designing two of the center’s high rises.

The first phase of construction will lay down new infrastructure for data, security, and sustainable power and water, and take care of excavation for a new subway line. All of this will be integrated into a podium that will double as the base of a new urban park. Sure beats trying to sit on Charging Bull.

Istanbul Begins Construction On Its Own Wall Street!

“This development will become a focal point for Turkey as well as for the international finance and business community,” HOK vice president and strategic planner Cagri Kanver said in an announcement. Kanver did not point out how the layout of the master plan just happens to bear a strong resemblance to an aerial shot of Manhattan. You’ve been put on notice, New York!

Istanbul Begins Construction On Its Own Wall Street!

Istanbul Begins Construction On Its Own Wall Street!

Istanbul Begins Construction On Its Own Wall Street!

All renderings courtesy of HOK

via Architizer

http://www.architizer.com/en_us/blog/dyn/79441/hok-istanbul-international-financial-center/#.UUXVhRenArV