Owned by the Yücel Cultural Foundation, Abud Efendi Mansion is one of the buildings that holds a special place in Istanbul’s cultural memory, with its garden, outbuildings and historic character. Together with its garden and outbuildings, the mansion occupies a total area of 3,243 square metres. The building consists of three main floors and an attic, with a total usable area of 960 square metres. The interior layout of the mansion includes 12 large rooms and 5 large halls. In addition to its central location, the site has parking capacity for 110 vehicles. Watch the introduction video to discover the mansion’s architectural character, historic atmosphere and exceptional location. Dating from the late 19th century, Abud Efendi Mansion takes its name from Ahmet Abud Efendi, a Syrian-born merchant and the brother of Mehmet Abud Efendi, who served during the reign of Abdülhamid II in the Chamber of Commerce, the Ministry of War Procurement Commission and as Chairman of Şirket-i Hayriye. Survey, restitution, restoration and adaptive reuse projects were initiated in 2008. The prepared project was approved by Conservation Board No. 4 for Cultural and Natural Assets on 8 November 2010 under decision no. 4191. Following the preparation of mechanical, structural and electrical projects based on the approved architectural project, a building permit was obtained in 2019. Restoration work commenced in 2020 after the permit process was completed. The restoration work, including landscaping, was completed in 2023. After its use by the Abud Efendi family, the building was sold to Americans by Ferit Bey and began operating as a YMCA building in 1925. The 470-seat Alemdar Cinema, opened in an annex to the building in 1927, became one of Istanbul’s oldest and most important cinemas and is known as the city’s first cinema where women and men watched films together. Built in the rear garden of the mansion in 1934, the sports hall holds an important place in the city’s sporting memory as Istanbul’s earliest known indoor sports hall. After the YMCA ceased its activities in 1939, the building began to be used as the American School of Languages and Commerce for Men. The mansion was donated to the Yücel Cultural Foundation on 12 October 1972. For a period, it was used as the Yücel School and hosted accounting, language and typing courses. The mansion also hosted the Brotherhood Club and other youth clubs among the Foundation’s social and cultural activities. The mansion is located on one of Istanbul’s most important historic routes, on the Historic Peninsula of Eminönü between the Gülhane and Sultanahmet districts. The mansion is located near the district known as Khalkoprateia in the Byzantine period, where copper and bronze objects were produced. The site is surrounded by remains from the Byzantine period, and it is believed that part of the remains of the Theotokos Chalkoprateia Basilica, one of the important religious buildings of Byzantium, is located within the same city block and plot. Beneath the building are arched cellars dating from the Byzantine period and vaulted structural remains from earlier periods. The sports hall built in the rear garden of Abud Efendi Mansion in 1934 has been repurposed through the restoration project as a multipurpose culture and arts venue. With a seating capacity of 242, Yücel Arts Center is a flexible multipurpose venue for performances, concerts, theatre productions, rehearsals, film screenings, art workshops and shoots. With its historic architecture, restored buildings and Yücel Arts Center, Abud Efendi Mansion brings together the Foundation’s heritage, culture and arts in the heart of Istanbul.
Abud Efendi Mansion
3.243 m²
Total Site Area
960 m²
Usable Area
12 / 5
Rooms and Halls
110
Parking Capacity
Discover Abud Efendi Mansion up close
Architectural featuresA mansion bearing the traces of Ottoman architectureThe building, where traces of the harem and selamlık arrangement can be observed, is considered one of the notable examples of its period for its architectural composition and interior decoration.View 6 features
Plan layout and staircase system The mansion has largely preserved its original plan. Rooms and staircases are positioned on both sides, while the central halls are located in the middle. The upper floors are reached by double-flight staircases in both wings.
Coloured marble selsebil The impressive selsebil made of coloured marble in the entrance hall is one of the striking examples that has survived in a well-preserved condition.
Painted decoration and wood ornamentation Painted decorations and wood ornamentation can be seen on all three main floors of the mansion. Some ceiling decorations were painted directly onto wood, while others were executed on fabric.
Star-patterned ceiling The star-patterned ceiling on the second floor resembles the dome and ceiling decorations of Yıldız Mosque. The ceiling transitions feature gilded muqarnas.
Landscape paintings The third-floor ceilings contain 12 landscape paintings believed to depict the Maiden’s Tower, Sarayburnu, a view of Eminönü from Rumeli Fortress, and village landscapes around Istanbul.
Registered historic property Abud Efendi Mansion was registered as a civil architectural work requiring protection by a decision of the High Council of Monuments dated 11 June 1983. In subsequent board decisions, the building was classified as a Group I cultural property requiring protection.
2008-2023Restoration processAbud Efendi Mansion underwent a comprehensive project and restoration process carried out in keeping with its original character.View the restoration process
2008
Project work began
2010
Approval from the Conservation Board
2019
Building permit obtained
2020
Restoration work began
2023
Restoration completed
From 1925 to the presentTraces from the mansion’s recent historyAt different times, Abud Efendi Mansion and its surroundings served functions connected with Istanbul’s social, cultural and sporting life.View the recent history
1925
Used as a YMCA building
1927
Alemdar Cinema
1934
Indoor sports hall
1939
Language and commerce school period
1972
Transferred to the Yücel Cultural Foundation
YCF
Social and cultural activities
In the historic centre of Istanbul
Near Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern Located 70 metres from Hagia Sophia and 42 steps from the Basilica Cistern, the mansion stands at the heart of the historic centre.
Connection to Alemdar Avenue The property faces Alemdar Avenue, an important transport route in the area, and Salkım Söğüt and Zeynep Sultan streets at the rear.
Terrace area The 845-square-metre terrace beside the mansion stands out for its bar area, restaurant service and commanding view of Hagia Sophia.
From a historic sports hall to Yücel Arts Center
Yücel Arts Center
Discover Abud Efendi Mansion and Yücel Arts Center
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