Located in Kadıköy and one of the first apartment buildings in Istanbul, ‘Valpreda Apartmanı’ defies time with its 113-year history. The 7-storey, 14-apartment Valpreda Apartment building, built by Levi Kehribarcı as a residence in Kadıköy Yeldeğirmeni in 1909. The ‘Valpreda Apartment bulding’, also known as the Italian building today, was built by German engineers working in the construction of Haydarpaşa Train Station for Italian stone workers to stay. The apartment, built with the art nouveau effect, which was the dominant architectural style of the period, attracts everyone who sees its magnificent decorations, high ceiling and stonework. With its unique beauty and history, tucked between the streets of Kadıköy, the building draws attention with the fact that it still hosts the residents.
Speaking on the subject, one of the residents of the neighborhood, Alberto Genci, of Italian origin, said, “I came from Italy and I live in this neighborhood. Valpreda, the Italian apartment building, is quite old. Passers-by do not leave without taking pictures. There are people still living inside the building. I think it has historical significance. In fact, this place should be protected. No one should be allowed to live inside. It can even be turned into a museum,” he said.
Abdul Samet Kaya – Cüneyt Sevindik – Sevgi Canpolat