24.02.2026 12:12
The Taray Apartment, owned by Nobel Prize-winning author Orhan Pamuk, which has 9 apartments in Beyoğlu and was also used in the Museum of Innocence series, is being demolished as a risky structure. Pamuk's lawyer Hikmet Güngör stated, "We believe that the court will lift the injunction at the latest during the hearing on March 26, and we will begin the demolition process. According to our estimate, the building will be demolished by the end of May."
In Beyoğlu, a lawsuit was filed in 2022 regarding the Taray Apartment, which consists of 18 apartments and has been home to Nobel Prize-winning author Orhan Pamuk's 9 apartments, resulting in a 'risky structure' decision. Following the decision, Pamuk's neighbors filed a counter lawsuit demanding the strengthening of the building and obtained a precautionary injunction to halt the demolition. It was learned that the lawsuits filed against the 'risky structure' decision were rejected by the Administrative Court, while the lawsuit filed by the residents for strengthening has been ongoing for about 4 years.
The 4th expert report for the Taray Apartment, which was evacuated a year ago, was prepared on February 5. The report stated that due to the building's location and physical conditions, strengthening works could not be carried out adequately, and it was expressed that the building should be demolished and rebuilt. Pamuk's lawyer, Hikmet Güngör, stated that the next hearing in the case would be held on March 26, and they anticipated that the precautionary decision would be lifted and the demolition would take place in line with the expert report. Güngör also addressed the claims that the building would be demolished to make a museum, stating that there are ongoing discussions on social media and in the press saying, 'Orhan Pamuk will demolish this place and make a museum.' He added, 'The owners must hold a meeting to decide what will happen to the risky structure.'
"THE LAST REPORT CLEARLY STATED THAT THE BUILDING MUST BE DEMOLISHED" Lawyer Hikmet Güngör, noting that the expert report has just arrived, said, "The expert report clearly states that the building must be demolished. The hearing of the case will take place on March 26. We believe that the court will lift the precautionary decision regarding this file by March 26 at the latest, and the demolition will begin. Because the expert report that came to the file was very clear, just like the previous expert report. It stated that this building must be demolished. The last expert report also clearly stated that the building must be demolished. Therefore, we have reached the end of the trial. The precaution must be lifted, and the demolition must begin. A risky structure decision was made regarding this building in 2022. After the risky structure decision was made, lawsuits were filed in the Administrative Court. It decided to reject all lawsuits. The Administrative Court said, 'This building is a risky structure; it must be demolished.' Later, a lawsuit regarding strengthening was filed. Unfortunately, this lawsuit process has been ongoing for 4 years, and it is not being demolished due to the precaution.'
"THE BUILDING WILL PROBABLY BE DEMOLISHED BY THE END OF APRIL-MAY" Güngör, stating that the co-owners are abusing the situation, said, "Mr. Orhan and his wife Ms. Aslı do not want to live in a risky building. They do not want it to be strengthened either because there is no chance of it being like a new building when it is strengthened. Since they do not want to live in a risky building, they naturally want the building to be demolished and rebuilt. After the last expert report, when the precautionary decision is lifted, we believe that this problem will be resolved. Therefore, we think that the court will lift the precaution at the latest during the hearing on March 26 and we will start the demolition process. If the precaution is lifted, we will obtain the demolition permit and start the procedures for the demolition of the building. We estimate that the building will probably be demolished by the end of April or May," he said.
"ORHAN HOCAS ALREADY HAS A MUSEUM" Güngör, stating that they will act according to urban transformation, said, "Whatever urban transformation wants, whatever it says, that will be done. Urban transformation also states that the legal majority, or rather 50+1, will decide how the building will be constructed. Therefore, this process will continue after the demolition. The co-owners, Orhan Pamuk, and the neighbors will come together to decide how the building will be evaluated. It was clearly stated in the last urban transformation amendment that this is already a legal obligation. We will make a meeting invitation, call the neighbors, and forget the past. The co-owners will sit down and jointly decide how the building can be best re-evaluated. Orhan Pamuk currently owns about 60% of the property in the building. About 40% belongs to other co-owners. Mr. Orhan currently has 9 apartments in the building. This corresponds to about 60% of the land share. There is a constant discussion on social media or in the media that Orhan Pamuk will demolish this place and make a museum. The co-owners must decide what will happen to the building and what will happen to the risky structure by holding a meeting. Additionally, Orhan Hoca already has a museum, and he has endowed that museum. He manages that museum through a foundation. You know the Museum of Innocence. Therefore, he has only provided benefits to the country with the work he has done there," he said.
"ACCORDING TO THE EXPERT REPORT, THE BEST APPLICATION WILL BE" Burak Kargın, a resident of the building, stated that the building was evacuated about a year ago, saying, "The building was already evacuated about a year ago. I was one of the last residents, and we were also evacuated. We need to look at the report closely. Based on that, it will be decided whether the building will be demolished or strengthened. I believe a decision will be made in March, and there will be a result based on that decision. We want that to happen as soon as possible. Because it is currently standing empty and abandoned. I think Mr. Orhan or the other residents want to move into their homes as soon as possible. Therefore, it is best for it to be done quickly. The expert report must make a decision, and a path must be followed accordingly," he said.
"THE COURT WILL MAKE THE BEST DECISION" Tolga Ece, a resident who stated that he lived on the top floor of the apartment, said, "I lived on the top floor of the Taray Apartment. We evacuated the house within two months; I was the last to leave. It was stated that it was a risky structure. There was an ongoing court process, but they did not wait for that; they quickly evacuated the building. First, Mr. Orhan left the building. After he evacuated, a letter came. After the letter arrived, they told us to evacuate the building within a month. Our apartment resisted a bit to not leave, but then the municipality came and cut off the electricity and water. We had no choice but to leave. If reports have been issued regarding this, the court will make the best decision regarding whether it will be a demolition or strengthening," he stated.
USED IN THE MUSEUM OF INNOCENCE SERIES The Taray Apartment was also used in the series adapted from Orhan Pamuk's novel, The Museum of Innocence. Pamuk, who appears in the first and last episodes of the series, made a name for himself not only with his story but also with his acting. His scenes of painting at a desk in a room overlooking the sea, said to have a view of Cihangir, spread on social media. It was stated that this house is the author's own home in the Taray Apartment. It was understood that the desk in the images is the same desk featured in the last episode of the "Museum of Innocence" series.