Ephemera
Surviving architectural plaques of Istanbul
Architectural plaques are often the only indicator of the original or later architect / developer (often designated as an ‘engineer’) as no central register has existed and still doesn’t exist in Turkey. There have been recent efforts to catalogue these architects with books dedicated by focusing on different ethnic groups such as those from the Istanbul Greek community. Much has been lost, both in terms of the plaques been lost over time, often through ‘restorations’ and much of the former minority communities have migrated away so tracing possible descendants has become a lot more difficult. Knowledge is concentrated in the most prominent of architects such as Alexander Vallaury and Giulio Mongeri, often designated as ‘Levantine’, which can be confusing as some of these names were born in Istanbul while others were long-term visitors such as Raimondo D’Aronco, but the confusion can perhaps be extended to other communities such as the ‘Greek’ architects who may have had French etc. nationality and education with that language being their main communication as was common with the upper classes of the Ottoman society. This gallery shows a small slice of surviving plaques, mostly in the Beyoglu district and we welcome additional images or information.
Name: Karagozoglu Apartmanı (formerly Kaisserlian Apartment)
Architect(s): Giulio Mongeri - Antonio Perpignani
Commissioned by: The Kaisserlian family (Kayserilidjan - Kayseriliyan)
Address: Istiklal Caddesi and Kumbaracı Sokak, Beyoğlu
Current use: Shops on street level, separate offices on upper floors.
Name: Galata Antique Hotel & Sushi Express (formerly Décugis House)
Architect: Alexander Vallauri / Vallaury
* this is the second of the two buildings Vallaury has his name on. The other is Ömer Abed Han in Karaköy / Galata
** Surname is different on both building. Vallauri on Decugis House, Vallaury on Ömer Abed Han. His signature on original plans is Vallaury but, it is written as Vallauri on the the family tombstone in Feriköy Catholic cemetery
Commissioned by: Horatio Décugis. Owner of ‘Constantinople Pera’, the official importer of Baccarat, Christofle, Haviland. Supplier of Yıldız and Dolmabahce Palaces, Pera Palace Hotel
Address: Mesrutiyet Caddesi 119, Beyoğlu
Current use: Restaurant on street level, hotel on upper floors.
Name: Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Conservatory & Haldun Taner sahnesi [stage] (formerly Kadıköy wholesale farmer products hall)
Civil Engineer: Umberto Ferrari, 1927
Architect: unknown. However, since this building is an important example of 1st National Architecture School (1908 - 1930), Yaman Yamaner suspects the architect may be one of the below:
- Mimar Kemaleddin
- Vedad Tek
- Giulio Mongeri
- Arif Koyunoğlu
- Ali Talat
Commissioned by: Kadıköy Municipality of the early Republican Era
Address: Kadıkoy Square
Current use: Theater & conservatory, currently (2026) under restoration
Name: Sultanhamam Han (former name unknown)
Architect: Charilaos Vladica
Commissioned by: currently unknown
Address: Sultanhamamı Street 3, Eminönü
Current use: office building & shops for small businesses
Name: Arditti Apartment (also formerly)
Architect: Constantin P. Simotas
Commissioned by: The Arditti family (a Sephardi Jewish family, immigrated from Spain in 1492)
Address: Bican Efendi Sokak 10, Kuzguncuk (Anatolian side)
* Kuzguncuk was one of the major Jewish districts in Istanbul, until 1955. It was according to legend the first place in Istanbul where the ships coming from Spain berthed. The oldest Jewish graves in Istanbul are also in Kuzguncuk Cemetery. Once Kuzguncuk was an important stop for Sephardi Jews during their pilgrimage to Jerusalem).
Current use: Residential building
* this plaque is no longer visible (2026), it was filled with plaster and then painted over
Name: Bilgir Han (former name: Solomowitz Apartment) - Han: Office building
Architect & Engineer: Isaac Nahoum & Alfredo Psalti
Commissioned by: Michel Solomowitz
Address: Sofyalı Sokak 5, Asmalımescit, Beyoğlu
Current use: Office building
Name: Ayramin Hotel (Hazzopoulo Apartment)
Architect(s): Antonie N. Perpignani & Markos G. Langas
Commissioned by: Kiryakis Hazzopoulo & Yorgo Hazzopoulo
Address: Tel Sokak 29, Beyoğlu
Current use: Hotel
Name: Şeker Han (former name: Arthur Baker Inn)
Architect & Engineer: Walter Griscti & Umberto Ferrari
Commissioned by: Arthur Baker
Address: Köprücü Sokak 4, Hobyar, Fatih
Current use: Government office - below plaques re-instated post restoration of 2025.
Image courtesy of Yaman Yamaner.
The before and after restoration removal of architects signatures (G&A Constantinidis Brothers) on the stone-work of the head office of Borusan Philharmonic on Istiklal caddesi, Beyoğlu - images courtesy of Yaman Yamaner.
Name: İzmir Palas Apartmanı (formerly the same)
Architect: Jacques D’Armi
Commissioned by: Serifzade Ahmed Sureyya Bey
Address: Macka caddesi 27, Teşvikiye
Current use: Residential building.
Name: İkbal Apartmanı (Fardy Apartment)
Architect: Demostene Fardis
Commissioned by: Demostene Fardis
Address: Nakiye Elgün Sokak 38, Şişli
Current use: Residential building.
Name: Amancich Apartment (formerly same name)
Architect: Carlo Amancich
Commissioned by: Carlo Amancich
Address: Serdar-i Ekrem Sokak 64, Galata
Current use: Residential & office building.
Name: unknown
Architect: Salvatore Fleri, 1872
Commissioned by: unknown
Address: Galata Kulesi sokak 9, Galata
Current use: Derelict.
Name: unknown
Architect: unknown
Commissioned by: S. & D. Routos
Address: Yeniçarşı Caddesi 9, Beyoğlu
Current use: Street level small business shop, upper floors residential.
Name: Hurşit Bey İş Hanı (former name Hurşit Bey Apartment)
Architect: Emilio Faracci & Cleovoulos Clonarides
Commissioned by: Hurşit Bey (a real estate developer from the late Ottoman Era)
Address: Abdullah Sokak 4, Beyoğlu
Current use: Office building
The apartment was built by Levantine architect Emilio Faracci with his colleague Cleovoulos Clonarides. Emilio Faracci was also the architect of the Sankt Georg Austrian Hospital in Galata and some buildings belonging to the Haydarpaşa Train Station and also was one of the engineers of the Ottoman-Anatolian Railway Company. Faracci’s office was in Saint Pierre Han, built in the 18th century in Galata, still standing today in a neglected state.
* there are two plaques on the Teutonia Club facade. The one on the left is live on this page
Name: Teutonia Kulüp (Club Teutonia)
Architect & Engineer: Otto Kapp Von Gülstein & Guglielmo Semprini
Commissioned by: Club Teutonia, built 1896, later restored
Address: Galip Dede Street 45, Galata
Current use: Orient-Institut since 2023
Name: Büyük (Grand) Zarifi Apartmanı
* there are two Zarifi Apartments
Architect: Dimitris Panayotites
Commissioned by: Eleni & Georghe Zarifi
Address: Hasnun Galip Street 4, Beyoğlu
Current use: Residential building
Name: Ansen Suites (Jak Farhi Apartment)
Architects: Dimitrios Georgiades & Stephanos Georgiades
Commissioned by: Jacques Farhi
Address: Mesrutiyet caddesi 70, Tepebaşı, Beyoğlu
Current use: Hotel - image courtesy of Yaman Yamaner.
Name: Pera Museum (formerly the Bristol Hotel)
Architect: Achille Manoussos
Commissioned by: Turkish Armenian Catholic Episcopacy
Address: Meşrutiyet caddesi 65, Beyoğlu
Current use: Art gallery
Name: Ratinski Binası (former name Ratinski Apartment)
Architect & Engineer: Antuan Ratinski
Commissioned by: Antuan Ratinski
Address: Mesrutiyet caddesi 5, Beyoğlu
Current use: Office building for small businesses
Name: Ravouna 1906 Suites (Former name: Ravouna Apartment)
Architects: Alexandre D. Yenidunia & Constantinos Panagiotis Kyriakides
Commissioned by: Giuseppe Michelini & Alfredo Michelini
Address: Istiklal caddesi 201, Beyoğlu
Current use: Hotel & coffee bar, (formerly house of the Italian Levantine Revouna family built during 1901-1906).
Name: Suriye Pasaji (former name: Cité de Syrie)
Architect: Demetrios Theodoris Bassiliades
Commissioned by: Hasan Halbuni Pasha & Mehmed Abud Efendi
Address: Istiklal caddesi 166, Beyoğlu
current use: street level restaurants, upper floors offices.
