You know, smart people construct smart buildings to provide their needs. Especially after that terrible earthquake many people had moved to suburban and rural areas and ventured the dense traffic. But our city is not a city to be lived in only a specific district, anymore. If you live in a specific district, then you are deprived of the other part of the city.

For instance, let’s think about the wonderful city-states located in Istanbul, Buyukcekmece and around. These places are projected as the samples of them in USA. Huge villas, well-kept gardens, swimming pools and neighbors of the same social life... From this sight, it really looks attractive, especially if you have children. You say, “My child swims, plays in the garden in the fresh air. Thus, he/she will be a healthy person.”

This is of course a good opinion. On the other hand, did you ever think about yourself and your needs?

Some habits and pleasures may not change. For example, to meet a girlfriend and to take a walk around the stores, to have a chat in a cafe and to join in the crowd which would bore you in normal conditions... These are also necessary. To abstract yourself from these pleasures is not right, especially for young people.

I am not the only one who thinks these. Big companies started to construct skyscrapers in the main districts of Istanbul, so there must be many people thinking the same way as me.

The first one of them was Akmerkez in Etiler. As you know, it is a living space which includes a great shopping center, cinemas and restaurants. Suddenly a lot of people started to visit this building. This sample caused the other strong companies to produce new projects. I see a lot of written announcements in the newspapers. The competent of the companies make quite pretentious statements.

Actually, I am interested in these enterprises as a person who lives far away from the center of Istanbul, and who is deprived of the lively places like Nisantasi.

For that reason, I went to Besiktas, Fulya, on Saturday, in where a new building constructed by Polat Insaat is located. Probably, a part of me, which belongs to Yesilkoy, came out on top. Because living in here without visiting Polat Hotel is not possible. After many years, we are just like relatives. So, I felt sympathy to the building which they will construct.

What I have seen really attracted me. The building, which is constructed on a hollowed area, is quite high and also very elegant. It will look like a jewel from up above, after it is covered with blue glass.

According to the project, there will be stores at the bottom of the building, which include the necessaries for the residents. Also there will be details like cinema saloons, a market, and etc. The ones who got used to the sports center of Polat Hotel will appreciate the one in here. The separated section for the Sports center and a covered swimming pool is quite large. The building is under the control of a high level security system.

The 33 storied building consists of only resident apartments. The management does not allow using the apartments as an office. The building is under the control of a computer network system. I did not ask any questions about the protection of the building against any earthquake. Because I know the answer. This great work had to be done considering any possible earthquake. In my opinion, being in these kinds of buildings during the earthquake is safer just like less people die in an airplane accident. Because these buildings are constructed with a high protection and resistance against the earthquake.

Result: You have to go and see Polat Tower Residence if you have chance and purpose. But you have to hurry up because the most of the apartments are already sold out.

Thus, you will have the opportunity to watch Istanbul with different clothes on it.


Turkiye Newspaper – Selin Dilmen – November 27, 2000