Attacks, coup bring change to Istanbul’s Istiklal Avenue

AFP, ISTANBUL: For centuries, it has been the main commercial artery running through the heart of Istanbul, attracting thousands of people every day for shopping, entertainment or historic sightseeing.
But following a string of deadly attacks and the failed coup of July 15, Istiklal Avenue now faces an uncertain future, its shops boarded up and visitor numbers plummeting, its identity rapidly changing.
Located in Beyoglu in the centre of European Istanbul, the pedestrianised street is lined with elegant shops and cafes, stretching 1.5 kilometres (almost a mile) from Tunel, which overlooks the Golden Horn, to Taksim Square.
In March, the street was hit by a suicide bombing that killed three Israelis and an Iranian and injured dozens in an attack blamed on Islamic State (IS) jihadists. And three months later, at least 41 people were killed in a triple suicide bombing at Ataturk airport, causing tourism to plummet.
Now, once-lively areas along the street have fallen silent, with a string of shops shuttered, from big chains to boutiques, unable to make a profit in the face of high rents and declining revenues.
For Beyoglu mayor Ahmet Misbah Demircan, Istiklal Avenue will never lose its dynamism, with the current recession an unfortunate “reality” but only a temporary one.
“The terror attacks followed by the July 15 coup were actions aimed at dealing a setback to Turkey’s economy,” he told AFP.
“We are aware of the negative waves. It’s only natural after all that has happened, and I personally do not see any sign it will have permanent repercussions,” said Demircan, a member of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).
Although some businesses would not survive because of the lack of profits, it would be unfair to stigmatise Istiklal Avenue and craft “disaster scenarios” out of it, he said.
Istiklal Avenue has a special place in the history of Istanbul and until the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, was the heart of what seen as very much the European quarter of the city.
Then known as the Grande Rue de Pera—The Great Street of Pera—it formed the main axis of an area that at the time was populated almost exclusively by Europeans and Christians and not Ottoman Muslims.
For centuries, it was a hub for foreign merchants, diplomats and later tourists in Istanbul—then known as Constantinople—resulting in the construction of churches and embassy complexes that remain to this day.
Its character changed markedly after the foundation of modern Turkey in 1923.
Renamed Istiklal (“Independence”) Avenue, the area gradually became exclusively Muslim Turkish with most of the remaining Christian minorities pushed out in the horrific anti-Greek riots of September 1955.
With Turkey’s dynamic growth over the last decade, Istiklal was gradually taken over by the big chain stores at the expense of smaller shops that could not afford the high rents.
Many Istanbul locals gave the street a wide berth but it became a magnet for tourists, especially growing numbers from Arab countries. But soaring rents have forced out many businesses, locals say. Real estate advertisements are pasted onto the front of empty buildings.
“Over the last decade, rents have skyrocketed irrationally,” said Ihsan Aydogan, who owns property on the famed avenue. With monthly rents ranging from $40,000 up to $400,000 (between 36,000 and 360,000 euros), Aydogan says he has been unable to find a tenant.

Attacks, coup bring change to Istanbuls Istiklal Avenue

AFP, ISTANBUL: For centuries, it has been the main commercial artery running through the heart of Istanbul, attracting thousands of people every day for shopping, entertainment or historic sightseeing. But following a string of deadly attacks and the failed coup of July 15, Istiklal Avenue now faces an uncertain future, its shops boarded up and visitor numbers plummeting, its identity rapidly changing. Located in Beyoglu in the centre of European Istanbul, the pedestrianised street is lined with elegant shops and cafes, stretching 1.5 kilometres (almost a mile) from Tunel, which overlooks the Golden Horn, to Taksim Square. In March, the street was hit by a suicide bombing that killed three Israelis and an Iranian and injured dozens in an attack blamed on Islamic State (IS) jihadists. And three months later, at least 41 people were killed in a triple suicide bombing at Ataturk airport, causing tourism to plummet. Now, once-lively areas along the street have fallen silent, with a string of shops shuttered, from big chains to boutiques, unable to make a profit in the face of high rents and declining revenues. For Beyoglu mayor Ahmet Misbah Demircan, Istiklal Avenue will never lose its dynamism, with the current recession an unfortunate reality but only a temporary one. The terror attacks followed by the July 15 coup were actions aimed at dealing a setback to Turkeys economy, he told AFP. We are aware of the negative waves. Its only natural after all that has happened, and I personally do not see any sign it will have permanent repercussions, said Demircan, a member of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). Although some businesses would not survive because of the lack of profits, it would be unfair to stigmatise Istiklal Avenue and craft disaster scenarios out of it, he said. Istiklal Avenue has a special place in the history of Istanbul and until the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, was the heart of what seen as very much the European quarter of the city. Then known as the Grande Rue de PeraThe Great Street of Perait formed the main axis of an area that at the time was populated almost exclusively by Europeans and Christians and not Ottoman Muslims. For centuries, it was a hub for foreign merchants, diplomats and later tourists in Istanbulthen known as Constantinopleresulting in the construction of churches and embassy complexes that remain to this day. Its character changed markedly after the foundation of modern Turkey in 1923. Renamed Istiklal (Independence) Avenue, the area gradually became exclusively Muslim Turkish with most of the remaining Christian minorities pushed out in the horrific anti-Greek riots of September 1955. With Turkeys dynamic growth over the last decade, Istiklal was gradually taken over by the big chain stores at the expense of smaller shops that could not afford the high rents. Many Istanbul locals gave the street a wide berth but it became a magnet for tourists, especially growing numbers from Arab countries. But soaring rents have forced out many businesses, locals say. Real estate advertisements are pasted onto the front of empty buildings. Over the last decade, rents have skyrocketed irrationally, said Ihsan Aydogan, who owns property on the famed avenue. With monthly rents ranging from $40,000 up to $400,000 (between 36,000 and 360,000 euros), Aydogan says he has been unable to find a tenant.