Behold, the Kahramanlar Business Center, formerly known as the Emek Business Center. This building stands as a testament to Ankara’s modern architectural ambitions. Its history is intertwined with Turkey’s journey through the 20th century.
Let’s delve into the story of this iconic building. The Kahramanlar Business Center, originally named Emek Business Center, graces Kızılay Square. From 1959 to 2015, it proudly bore the name Emek İş Merkezi. Today, it stands tall as a 24-story high-rise.
Its design story is quite interesting. Inspired by New York City’s Lever House, it emerged as one of Turkey’s pioneering International Style high-rises. Upon its completion in 1965, it claimed the title of Ankara’s tallest building.
Imagine Ankara in the early 1960s. The Kahramanlar Business Center changed the city’s skyline. The Emekli Sandığı, or Pension Fund, commissioned the building. Their goal was to generate revenue. Enver Tokay and İlhan Tayman were the architects. Yusuf Berdan served as the statics engineer.
The Kahramanlar Business Center boasts another distinction. It features a glass curtain wall facade. This was a first for Turkey. Its design drew inspiration from both the Lever House and the United Nations Secretariat Building. Both of these iconic buildings are located in New York City.
Picture the building’s original layout. The ground floor and first two floors housed a shopping center. The remaining floors were dedicated to offices. The building faces the Kızılay building. The square got its name from this building.
Construction wasn’t without its challenges. The 1960 coup d’état caused delays. This pushed the completion date to 1965.
Fast forward to March 8, 2006. The Privatization Board of Turkey sold the building for $55,500,000. Talip Kahraman Construction Co. became its new owner. In November 2015, the building was renamed Kahramanlar Business Center.
The Turkish Chamber of Civil Engineers recognizes its significance. They included the Kızılay Emek Business Center in their list of fifty remarkable engineering projects. These projects were realized during the chamber’s first 50 years.
So, as you stand before the Kahramanlar Business Center, remember its story. It is a story of architectural ambition, political events, and economic shifts. The Kahramanlar Business Center is a landmark. It reflects Ankara’s evolving identity.