‘Best New Development Project’ award to Galataport Istanbul

Transforming the historical port of Istanbul into a vibrant and rich gastronomy, culture, arts and shopping neighborhood with its innovative engineering and architectural works, Galataport Istanbul was awarded the ‘Best New Development Project’ at the international MAPIC Awards, which brings together the giants of the retail industry all over the world. ) was deemed worthy of the award.

Galataport Istanbul returned with a special award from the MAPIC 2023 Awards, which took place in Cannes, France on November 29 this year, bringing together the giants of the retail industry and competing with the world’s most prestigious projects. Finalists; Galataport Istanbul was the winner of the ‘Best New Development Project’ category, where the project is evaluated on the basis of its innovative approaches with the use of new technologies, its contribution to the region with its environmental impacts, architectural features, brand mix, customer satisfaction and the shopping experience it provides.

This year, 6 thousand participants from 75 countries came together at the MAPIC Awards, organized with the theme “Age of Responsible Growth”. Galataport Istanbul managed to surpass the finalists from France and Poland in the category where projects are evaluated in terms of architecture, innovation and shopping experience. Galataport Istanbul, which opened the historical port of Istanbul to access thanks to the special cover system connected to the world’s first underground cruise terminal and transformed it into a lively gastronomy, culture, art and shopping district, quickly became the city’s favorite meeting point.

İrem Yücel Kaymak, Deputy General Manager of Galataport Istanbul Asset Management and Leasing, expressed their great pride in being deemed worthy of the ‘Best New Development Project’ award and said: “Galataport Istanbul is located on the 1.2th floor of the Bosphorus, which has been inaccessible since the end of the 19th century. It stands out as a project that transforms the km-long coastline into a favorite meeting point by preserving the historical and cultural heritage of the region, and brings the port function to the city with an innovative approach. It includes many innovations in engineering and architecture, and implements many applications to minimize environmental impacts. “It is very valuable for us that Galataport Istanbul was deemed worthy of the ‘Best New Development Project’ award at the MAPIC Awards, with its brand mix that brings together international brands with experience-oriented brands that reflect the rich culture of Turkey and Istanbul, and all these features.”

Galataport Istanbul stands out with its innovative approach

In Galataport’s special cover system, which creates a temporary customs area when the ship docks and turns the coastline into a walking path when the ship leaves, the world’s first underground cruise terminal of 29 thousand square meters, where all cruise operations are carried out, is connected to the temporary customs area via ramps. Thanks to this innovation, the unique coastline of Karaköy, which has been inaccessible since the end of the 19th century, continues to be open to guests, except for the part where the ship docks and is separated by covers, becoming one of the most special walking routes of the city.

Special care is taken to reduce the carbon footprint of the project. Sea water is used instead of cooling gas in all buildings at Galataport Istanbul, which saves 34 percent of energy, reduces carbon emissions and replaces harmful cooling gases that contribute to climate change. With all these works, Galataport Istanbul became the second largest LEED Platinum certified project in Europe.

Galataport Istanbul provides serious economic added value to the region and Istanbul with the direct employment of 5000 people, indirect employment of 20,000 people and the economic dynamism it brings to tourism.

The city’s favorite shopping and gastronomy district

Galataport Istanbul was launched after an 8-year intensive planning and development process, with a total investment of 1.7 billion dollars. It offers many options to appeal to every taste with 230 retail and food and beverage points in an area of ​​112 thousand square meters. The total leasable area allocated for shopping and food and beverage units is 52 thousand square meters. Galataport Istanbul hosts the most important retail brands of Turkey and the world, and these brands offer fine details that differentiate them from their stores in other locations at Galataport Istanbul.

Galataport Istanbul distinguishes itself as the gastronomy center of Istanbul offering rich options by devoting 40% of its area to food and beverage points. It offers a different and rich experience to its guests with its brand mix consisting of local and foreign brands in gastronomy. It brings together different audiences in the same area with Turkey’s two important museums, culture and art events open to everyone, and Turkey’s two important art museums.

At Galataport Istanbul, experience-oriented and innovative structures are created for guests in a “breathing” environment where they can spend time safely with their families. While a different dimension is brought to shopping with events organized in the field of culture, art and entertainment and experience tours offered via mobile application, a difference is made with the opportunities offered to foreign tourists coming on cruise ships to experience local brands closely.

Galataport Istanbul, which hosted nearly 30 million visitors in its first two years, is visited by 1 in every 4 tourists visiting the city. It is anticipated that Galataport Istanbul will host 25 million visitors annually, including 1.5 million cruise passengers and crew, after 2023.