Moxy Afrika Han by Designist in Istanbul, Turkey

Project: Moxy Afrika Han Architects: Designist Location: Istanbul, Turkey Area: 66,198 sq ft Year: 2022 Photos courtesy of: Designist

Moxy Afrika Han by Designist

Moxy, a dynamic, bold, and young brand of Marriott International, comes to life at Venue International in the historic Afrika Han building in Beyoğlu, Istanbul. Turkey's first Moxy hotel with 168 rooms is planned to open in 2024, designed by Designist under the leadership of Aslı Arıkan Dağyolu.

The first Moxy hotel in the Marriott International chain with a distinctive design different from standard concepts is being designed by Designist at Afrika Han in Beyoğlu, Istanbul. Moxy Afrika Han offers a fun, dynamic, and stylish lifestyle for the new generation of travelers, created with the vibrant character of Beyoğlu in mind. The brand adopts a Grab&go concept, where minimalist room design is balanced with an unusual communal space design. The structure encourages communication in common areas, with the lobby, bar, and retail zones planned as a unified whole. The communal space that will host meetings during the day and night should convey the spirit of Beyoğlu.

Designist wisely incorporates architectural elements that give the building soul; they plan to integrate Moxy's energetic, fun, and industrial concept with the history of the place. Aslı Arıkan Dağyolu and her team, who have designed hotels for various major chains over 15 years, say that the historic building is technically complex but this is an advantage for developing new technologies. Interior architect Aslı Arıkan Dağyolu, who said they will overcome the building's obligations as a historical structure in the best way and that she is very inspired by this challenge, believes the project will materialize as a center respecting its history and adding value to its surroundings.

Located on Beyoğlu Büyük Parmak Caddesi, built by Ragıp Sarıçay, Afrika Han was designed by German architect August Jaschke along with Anadoluhan, Rumelihan, and Sirkeci Station. Its construction using cement mortar on voltaic floors, a new type of building technology at the time, indicates it was built between 1905 and 1915. Afrika Han, a tavern between two streets, has an eclectic style. While the facade on Küçükparmakkapı Street has a more subdued design, the façade on Büyük Parmak Caddesi is more showy.

Designed as a 7-story residential building with 57 apartments reflecting its history, Afrika Han was home to the oldest families of Pera, Ottoman pashas. The building, designed as 55-60 square meter apartments with understanding far ahead of its time, became the first representative of modern studio apartment concept. Afrika Han is also known for being home to Hayal Kahvesi, the most popular café of its time from 1992 to 2017. Sensing the wave of enthusiasm that this building, which has lived through both recent and distant past, will be restored in Beyoğlu, Designist aims to preserve the spirit of the building in their projects.

-Project description and images provided by pRchitect