Lots of shopping malls have water features. But few compare, in size and potential drawing power, with WaterGarden, a giant mall that opened in the Atasehir district of Istanbul, Turkey, earlier this year.
This 165,000-sm (1.78-million-sf) complex, which focuses on gastronomy and entertainment, has 49,000 sm of leasable space for more than 150 independent retail units. But what really stands out is its 5,000-sm exterior “show pool” that is this project’s “visual and functional center,” according to its interior designer, Gorkem Volkan Design Studio (GVDS). T Concept was WaterGarden’s architect.
This is Europe’s largest show pool within what the complex’s developer, Ziylan Gayimenkul, calls a “living center.” The pool, which Germany-based OASE constructed, stages a variety of events and performances accompanied by a choreography of water, music, lasers, and fire. The pool is surrounded by the complex’s Gastronomy Center, which consists of restaurants, bistros, cafeterias and food court that feature unique foods and flavors from Turkish and world cuisines.
WaterGarden Istanbul includes a variety of eating places that offer Turkish and world cuisines. Image: Courtesy Gorkem Volkan Design Studio
There’s a “Nostalgia Street,” which offers brands of food and drink from throughout Turkey that have been around for more than 50 years. An Organic Market sells fresh produce, and is designed to connect to the mall’s botanical garden.
The complex has 15,000 sm of open space that encompasses City Park, designed by DS Architecture, with a rope track, an adventure park, a skate park, and children’s park. WaterGarden Istanbul also includes an 11-screen cinema, an “event arena” with a 4,000-person capacity, a theater hall, a school of culinary arts, a sports center, and children’s playground and crèche.
Real Estate News Turkey reported last year that WaterGarden Istanbul is targeting 15 million visitors per year, and expects to contribute the equivalent of $300 million to Turkey’s economy annually. The complex is located next to the International Finance Center, and is drawing customers from a primary market with more than 1 million residents.
Related Stories
| Apr 16, 2012
Shawmut awarded Tag Heuer builds in Florida and Pennsylvania
Both projects are scheduled to be completed this spring.
| Apr 2, 2012
Sachse Construction helps complete Salt Lake City’s City Creek Center
Sachse was hired to complete store build-outs at City Creek Center.
| Mar 19, 2012
Mixed-use project redefines Midtown District in Plantation, Fla.
Stiles Construction is building the residential complex, which is one of Broward County’s first multifamily rental communities designed to achieve LEED certification from the USGBC.
| Mar 16, 2012
Work on Oxnard, Calif. shopping center resumes after a three-year hiatus
Stalled since 2009, developers of the Collection at RiverPark decided to restart construction on the outdoor mall.
| Feb 22, 2012
Suffolk awarded Boston post office renovation project
Renovation of art deco landmark will add 21,000 square feet of retail and 110 new parking spaces.
| Feb 16, 2012
Big-box retailers not just for DIYers
Nearly half of all contractor purchases made from stores like Home Depot and Lowe's.
| Feb 16, 2012
4.8-megawatt solar power system completed at Jersey Gardens Mall
Solar array among the largest rooftop systems in North America.
| Feb 15, 2012
Englewood Construction announces new projects with Destination Maternity, American Girl
Englewood’s newest project for Wisconsin-based doll retailer American Girl, the company will combine four vacant storefronts into one large 15,000 square-foot retail space for American Girl.
