The Turkish Council of State in Ankara recently ruled that the OnaltiDokuz Residence in Istanbul must be demolished, ArchDaily reports.
The completed high-rise residential towers, a trio of structures between 27 and 37 stories in Istanbul’s Zeytinburnu district, was ruled as negatively affecting “the world heritage site that the Turkish government was obliged to protect,” reported Oliver Wainwright for the Guardian.
Back in 2013, Hürriyet News, one of Turkey’s widely circulated newspapers, reported that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdo?an had requested the developer, led by businessman Mesut Toprak, to give the buildings a “haircut,” and was at the time unhappy that Toprak had so far not done so.
Archdaily speculates the government’s action is a reaction to UNESCO’s comments back in 2010, after threatening to put Turkey’s largest city on its list of endangered world heritage sites.
The demolition ruling puts the Istanul Metropolitan Municipality at risk of an astronomical compensation claim, because the development was both complete and units have been sold.
To learn more about the ruling’s political implications and potential ripple effect on development and construction in Turkey, head to the article in the Guardian.
Related Stories
| Feb 26, 2014
Adaptive reuse project brings school into historic paper mill
The project features nontraditional classrooms for collaborative learning, an arts and music wing, and a technologically sophisticated global resource center.
| Feb 26, 2014
Use this app to streamline safety inspections
Using the iAuditor app, one of our Skanska teams developed electronic reports that make safety inspections more efficient, and that make it easier to address any issues emerging from them.
| Feb 26, 2014
Startup PocketCake aims to bring virtual reality simulations to the AEC masses
Founded in 2012, the development firm offers custom virtual reality simulations for the price of a typical architectural illustration.
| Feb 26, 2014
Billie Jean King National Tennis Center serving up three-phase expansion
The project includes the construction of two new stadiums and a retractable roof over the existing Arthur Ashe Stadium.
| Feb 25, 2014
Are these really the 'world's most spectacular university buildings'? [slideshow]
Emporis lists its top 13 higher education buildings from around the world. Do you agree with the rankings?
| Feb 25, 2014
NYC's Hudson Spire would be nation's tallest tower if built
Design architect MJM + A has released an updated design scheme for the planned 1,800-foot-tall, superthin skyscraper.
| Feb 24, 2014
White Paper: Using social media to build your business
This white paper from Benjamin Moore provides practical guidance for building and sustaining an effective online presence, with the ultimate goal of helping your painting business become more successful.
| Feb 24, 2014
First look: UC San Diego opens net-zero biological research lab
The facility is intended to be "the most sustainable laboratory in the world," and incorporates natural ventilation, passive cooling, high-efficiency plumbing, and sustainably harvested wood.
| Feb 24, 2014
White Paper: The science of color and light
This white paper from Benjamin Moore provides an overview of the properties of color and light, along with practical guidance on how the relationship between the two affects design choices.
| Feb 21, 2014
Naturally ventilated hospital planned in Singapore
The Ng Teng Fong General Hospital will take advantage of the region's prevailing breezes to cool the spaces.