Redevelopment Project
The redevelopment plan was an idea of Oğuz Özerden, a young businessman and founder of Istanbul Bilgi University. He succeeded to persuade Erdoğan's government, and finally obtained the rights from the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources to establish and administer a cultural complex and its third campus on the site of the former power plant. The related protocol foreseeing the transfer for a 20-years term was signed on May 1, 2004 at the Khedive Palace in Istanbul.
The transfer did not go off without a hitch due to a lawsuit filed by the Chamber of Electrical Engineers' Istanbul branch, which had developed 2001 a plan with Istanbul Technical University to establish an electro-techno park. However, the Ministry of Energy preferred the project of Istanbul Bilgi University.
The project's concept has similarity with Tate Modern in London, is however much more comprehensive having a technology museum, an amphitheater and concert halls, a public library and residents for visiting artists. The redevelopment project was realized in Istanbul Bilgi University's partnership with Doğuş Group, Ciner Group and Laureate Education, Inc. and with the main sponsorship of Kale Group and the City of Istanbul. The cost of the project exceeded US$45m, far more than the budgeted US$30m.
İhsan Bilgin, Dean of the School of Architecture at Istanbul Bilgi University, was responsible for the architectural coordination, while the master plan was carried out by the architects Nevzat Sayın (public library) and Emre Arolat (multi-purpose hall). Han Tümertekin joined the team for the design work on the energy museum. The architectural work was completed in three years. Recently, some parts of the complex are still under construction.
SantralIstanbul's preliminary opening was held on July 17, 2007 in presence of Prime Minister Erdoğan. Three foreign exhibitions were on the show. Visiting hours during this period were limited between 19.00 through 23.00 hours due to ongoing construction works at the site.
The official opening took place on September 8, 2007. It is expected that around 1.5 million people will visit SantralIstanbul. Former directors were Serhan Ada and Kerim Goknel. From the beginning of 2012 the complex is running by Istanbul Bilgi University Board.
Read more about this topic: Santral Istanbul
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