Throughout history, homes have been sanctuaries where people seek comfort, safety, and belonging. They are not just physical shelters but emotional spaces where individuals feel at peace the moment they walk through the door.
Serving as the core habitat for families—the foundation of society—homes meet our most basic human needs. Over time, especially in settled societies, these structures with four walls, a roof, a kitchen, rooms, and a bathroom form neighborhoods, districts, and eventually cities. Thus, they are the most fundamental urban units in our culture.
The architectural styles and construction methods of homes vary, each reflecting the socioeconomic identity of its location. Villas, apartments, waterfront mansions (yali), slums, or farmhouses—each tells a story about the area they belong to.
The Waterfront Mansions of the Bosphorus, the Detached Homes of Etiler
Historically, the most affluent residents of Istanbul lived along the Bosphorus in luxurious mansions and pavilions—in areas like Sarıyer, Beylerbeyi, Anadolu Hisarı, and Bebek. Etiler stood out with its detached houses, while Zeytinburnu, Kağıthane, and Çağlayan were known for their informal housing (gecekondus). Kadıköy and Beyoğlu introduced the apartment lifestyle to the city.
The first residential apartment building in Istanbul was the Valpreda Apartment (Italian Apartment), built in Kadıköy in 1909. One of the first reinforced concrete buildings in the city, the Mısır Apartment, followed in 1910 in Galatasaray.
Skyscrapers Enter the Scene
As the population grew and available land became scarce, apartments gave way to high-rise buildings. Today, some reach over 300 meters, with Metropol Istanbul in Ataşehir being the tallest at 301 meters. These skyscrapers, often housing both residences and offices, reshaped the skylines of districts like Beşiktaş and Ataşehir.
As urban life grew busier, people began seeking more than just shelter. Comfort, luxury, and convenience became priorities—ushering in the rise of residences, a new category of high-end living.
Residences: More Than Just Apartments
Residences offer much more than a typical apartment. With elegant architecture, modern design, social amenities, shopping options, fitness centers, concierge and security services, they provide a lifestyle rather than just a home. By bringing together all essential services under one roof, they helped residents manage their time more efficiently.
For those with limited time, in-building gyms made fitness accessible. Social spaces offered opportunities for connection without the need to leave home. Maintenance, cleaning, repairs—even childcare—were all handled by the building’s management, offering true peace of mind.
Minimal Living with Functional Design
Residences often feature smaller square footage than traditional homes. However, their functional design—with space-saving furniture like bed-closet combos—made minimalist living both stylish and practical for urban dwellers.
Once built mainly on city outskirts, residence projects now exist in almost every part of Istanbul. With their technical features, lifestyle offerings, and modern advantages, they’ve become increasingly popular.
Residences Shaping Urban Life
Residences also uplift the neighborhoods they’re in—raising life standards and helping districts evolve. Take Kağıthane, for example. Once a picnic spot and informal housing area, it has transformed since 2000 with the introduction of branded residences. Today, it rivals nearby business hubs like Levent and Beşiktaş.
White-Collar Professionals Choose Kağıthane
A quick search reveals a common theme: “Kağıthane is ideal for white-collar workers in the Levent-Maslak corridor.” And it’s true—those who are tired of traffic, crowding, and soaring rents in Levent are moving to nearby, rapidly developing Kağıthane.
Kağıthane is on track to becoming a new socio-economic and cultural center. With ongoing urban renewal projects and designated investment zones like Cendere Valley, the district is now a hotspot for real estate, commerce, arts, and innovation.
Located between the E-5 and TEM highways and near Bosphorus bridges, Kağıthane offers a centrally located, accessible, yet relatively calm lifestyle. It’s attracting both profit-driven investors and comfort-seeking residents. Thanks to expanding metro lines, it’s now a choice for people across the city.
We Welcome You to Discover the Truth About Kağıthane
As one of the oldest construction firms in Kağıthane, we at Mari Group take pride in contributing to the district’s transformation. We invite everyone looking to live or invest in Istanbul to visit us and discover the real Kağıthane—a district full of potential and growth.