Istanbul Municipality buys iconic Beyoğlu Cinema to reopen

Duvar English

The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Cultural Heritage Department has bought the iconic Beyoğlu Cinema to reopen the facility.

The 33-year-old legendary cinema, located on Istiklal Avenue in Taksim neighborhood, was shut down in July by its owner amid financial problems. 

Istanbul Municipality Deputy Secretary General Mahir Polat announced the move and said on Nov. 26 that “We are happy to announce a very special news. Istiklal Avenue did not lose the Beyoğlu Cinema. Beyoğlu Cinema will continue to serve Istanbul culturally. İBB Beyoğlu Cinema will continue to be the address of independent cinema.”

Polat told Gazete Duvar that all details about the cinema will be clear in a very short time. 

“We aim to transform the place into a living space without commercial concerns. We will renew it according to the needs of cinema world artists, creators and art lovers. Of course, we will do this by preserving the identity and decoration of Beyoğlu Cinema. We are planning to open it in a few months,” Polat said.

Polat also said one of the theaters of the cinema will be turned into a stage where performance artists can perform. The cinema has two theaters.

Visiting the cinema, İmamoğlu said “Beyoğlu Cinema is a place that has experienced name changes, fires, closures, openings, etc., but above all, it has accumulated tremendous memories. Of course, we pay attention to such points. We know that such places will increase the morale of the society in a way that cannot be measured with material.”

The municipality will also restore the Muammer Karaca Theatre, Botter Apartment and Metro Han.

Municipality to turn 630-year-old Istanbul castle into museumCulture

212-year-old Lebon Patisserie closes store on Istiklal AvenueCulture

Istanbul's iconic Pandora Bookstore closing Beyoğlu store after 31 yearsDomestic

Turkish cinema attendance dropped by 70 percent in 2020Culture