How could something so grand have started with such humble beginnings. Look at them. The TOBB İkiz Kuleleri. These towering giants of Ankara’s skyline weren’t always owned by the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges. They were once meant for a far different purpose. In 1988 an ambitious project was conceived. Construction began on Ankara’s Main Tobacco and Alcohol Administration and Warehouse Building. The project was awarded to Ceylan Construction. The initial cost was set at 14 billion 6 million liras. But fate, it seemed, had other plans. As the ’90s dawned construction began on the towers on Eskişehir road near Bilkent Bridge. They became known as the TEKEL towers. By 1995 a new decision was made. The building was to be repurposed as the Prime Ministry service building. Additional funding was allocated. However this shift in purpose would prove to be a double-edged sword.
The project became mired in bureaucratic wrangling. By 1997 the building’s ownership was in limbo. The original plan was scrapped. The Turkish Tobacco and Alcohol Administration sought to downsize the project. Then in 1998, further complications arose. Both the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Environment expressed interest in acquiring the building. Confusion reigned as letters were sent to the High Planning Council to determine a fair price. Amidst this uncertainty construction stalled, a testament to changing ambitions and budget constraints. The towers remained unfinished, a symbol of grand visions left unrealized. Then in a twist of fate the unfinished TEKEL towers caught the eye of a new suitor. The Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges emerged as a potential buyer. In 2005 their bid of $100 million was accepted. The towers were theirs.
Finally in 2009 the TOBB İkiz Kuleleri were completed. After years of uncertainty they found their purpose. They now stand as a symbol of Turkish commerce and industry. The grand opening took place on Monday, July 20, 2009. These towers now serve as a reminder that even the grandest visions can rise from the ashes of uncertainty.