23.09.2025 12:53
The demolition of the 67-year-old Çınar Hotel, located in Yeşilköy, Istanbul, has begun. The historic hotel, purchased by an Uzbek family living in England, was the first 5-star hotel in Turkey built with domestic capital. Additionally, Necmettin Erbakan and Nermin Erbakan got married at this hotel on January 10, 1967.
The demolition of Çınar Hotel, the first 5-star hotel built with local capital in Turkey's hospitality history, has begun. The demolition of the historic hotel was captured from the air.
Çınar Hotel, located in Yeşilköy, one of Istanbul's iconic structures, opened its doors in 1958 and has been etched in memory as a venue that hosted many important figures, both local and foreign. The hotel gained international recognition by hosting the 8th Bilderberg Meeting in 1959, which was attended by leading figures from around the world, and it was particularly popular among the elite and football clubs in the 60s and 70s.
THE ERBAKAN COUPLE GOT MARRIED HERE
The hotel, which also served as a set for countless Yeşilçam films, witnessed the marriage of Necmettin Erbakan and Nermin Erbakan on January 10, 1967. Journalist Fehmi Çalmuk, who served as an advisor to Necmettin Erbakan for many years, included a wedding photo of the Erbakan couple taken at the hotel in his book titled "Das ist Erbakan-2".
BOUGHT BY THE ÖZBEK FAMILY
After losing popularity in the 80s, the hotel underwent a two-year restoration process to celebrate its 50th anniversary, but it was ultimately purchased by an Özbek family living in England, and a demolition decision was made. The hotel, whose demolition began recently, holds great sentimental value, especially for the residents of Yeşilköy.
"IT WILL NOT BE REPLACED"
Asena Asal, a local resident, expressed her sadness over the demolition of Çınar Hotel, stating, "This was one of the iconic hotels here. Its demolition is very sad for us. It was truly a valuable hotel where we spent our childhood. We don't know what will be done in its place, but its place will definitely not be replaced."
Seragan Hicazoğlu, who has been a tradesman in Yeşilköy for 30 years, emphasized the importance of the hotel to the region, saying, "Our Çınar Hotel was very beautiful; it was the symbol of Yeşilköy. This was a historical place."