Beautifully renovated Ottoman Timber Mansion for sale:

Comprising of Four stunning apartments in a Historic Timber House, which was once a dormitory for the Monks living on the Island and attending the nearby Monastery and now used as a boutique apartment hotel:

www.istanbulislands.com

These 3&2 bedroom apartments, which are full of original detail and charm, have been completely re-furbished and re-designed from top to bottom. Each apartment boasts its own unique qualities and energy and they include Huge Ornate Living Rooms and Bedrooms, Private Gardens, Open&Covered Terraces and Sea&Mountain Views. Although each stair (floor) is independent from the other with its own gas central heating, water and electricity, the development was done with the notion of friends or family sharing the overall property. Thus the house will be sold complete and includes all fittings and furnishings.

The plot is 320m2 and the building itself is almost 500m2.

It is located on the Island's main street on the way to the prestigious Halki Palace Hotel, two doors away from the Island Museum and just a five minute walk to the gorgeous Private Beach Club. The building, which stands at over 60 FT tall is one of the most impressive buildings on the Island and on the street which is translated as "Street of the Mansions" this one is a show stopper.

Heybeliada is the second largest in a group of four Islands known as "The Prince's Islands" found in the Marmara Sea off the coast of Istanbul. Heybeli has all of the Amenities of Buykada, the largest of the four islands, but far less tourist footfall in the summer months. With the absensce of motorised traffic on all the islands, it is like stepping back in time and is an amazing contrast to the hustle and bustle of Istanbul, which with the fast boat is only 30 minutes from Bostanci and 50 minutes to Kabatas.

The fast boat which runs in the summer season takes just 50minutes to Kabatas (then one stop by metro to Taksim) or 30mins to Bostanci. Living on the Islands is like taking a step back in time as motorised transport is not allowed and the only way around the Islands is by foot, bicycle or horse and carriage. The Islands are decorated by fantastic wooden mansions built at around the end of the 19th century. This apartment is in one of the biggest and most spectacular mansions on the main street of Heybeliada which is known as 'Street of the Mansions'. Nearby there are small-pebbled coves (beaches), which you can walk down to, or Two Beach Clubs with restaurants, bars, cafes, swimming pool with seawater, a marina for yachts and water amusements for children.

The house is opposite the old Monastery which can be seen on top of the hill from the balcony. You also have sea views, mountain views and a view of Istanbul and the other Islands. There are 3 balconies (one off each bedroom and one at the front off of the living room.) On the top floor and a large covered balcony on the 1st Floor.
This mansion is perfectly situated if you want peace and quiet whilst being just a short boat trip away from a busy and eclectic metropolis full of history and attractions. It is a 10 minute walk from the port and promenade lined with cafes and fish restaurants.

There are two airports: Attaturk and Sabiha. From Attaturk you can take a taxi to Kabatas (Sea Port) which should take 30-40 minutes.

Then you take the fast boat to Heybeliada (should take about 50mins). The Boat is quite regular but the summer timetable is not available yet. You can also take the Open Top Ferry which has fantastic views but it takes longer (1hr20), so its better to take the ferry when you aren't in a hurry.

From Sabiha you can take a taxi to Bostanci Sea Port (40 Min or so). From Bostanci It is just a 30 minute Boat crossing.
Easyjet fly to Sabhia. other airlines are: Pegasus, Turkish, British AirFrance etc

Finally when you arrive on the Island its a short walk into the town where you'll find a Taxi rank of Horses and Carriages which will take you and your luggage to the house (5mins). Or you can easily walk it if your luggage rolls!

Insight:

Connecting the Middle East with Europe, Istanbul's important sites include Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar.

However, 'The Princes Islands' are a little know tourist attraction even to the Turks living in Istanbul. The main reason for this being that the islands were initialy inhabited by a wave of Greek and Armenian Bankers who built Holiday mansions there at around the turn of the 19th Century. This made for a truely odd paradox, these tiny little Islands have almost no Islamic influence and so its quite out of place in Turkey and so close to Istanbul. It also means that to this day Many Turks still won't embrace these Islands because of their History and this is what makes them such a remarkeable secret and unspoilt gem in the crown of Istanbul's tourist destinations!

All bedrooms have ceiling fans.

All Mattresses, Linen, Duvets, Towels, Plates&Crockery, White Goods(Fridge, Oven etc), Sofas Are BRAND NEW!

History

This beautiful old timber building was built in 1875 as 'Grand Bretagne Hotel'.
This building has two parts, the right half and the left half, each one looks symmetrical, but this restored side is in fact much larger.

When this hotel re-opened in 1898, the original hotel was sold to the English family the Splins and Kastriadises, later the ownership changed to mining industriarist, banker, armator Aram, Hrant and Artin Karamanyan brothers. After their deaths, their heir Ohanness's daughter Areknaz inherited and from then on and renamed it the 'Karamanyan Hotel' (20 Nov 1928). Afterwards the hotel was sold to Artin's son Arak (22 Oct 1931), then to Davit Mizrahi(28 Aug 1940). After his death, Victotya, Yuda and Luna Mizrahi inherited (20 Nov 1959 ). Later, the house was sold to Mehmet Sabri Avucan (17 Sep 1968) and later, Mehmet Sabri Tuncer and Mehmet Sabri Avucan became the owners ( 3 May 1983), and they split the ownership of leftside and right side of the house.


Present owners Lawrence Jacomelli and Victoria Taylor are British citizens. Lawrence is a filmmaker and Victoria is an advertising Creative Director. The building has been restored with Lawrence's enthusiasm and beautifully furnished by Victoria, with great respect to it's history. It has was completed in August 2009. Kitchens and bathrooms are fitted with luxury units. Many of the furnishings have been hand picked by Victoria in Europe and imported.

Because of the increased volume of their work in the UK they are reluctantly selling this wonderful property and successful holiday rental business. This rarely found property is ready for new enthusiastic and interested owner(s).

CONTACT: ljacomelli@yahoo.com

See the attached link for further details:

Website: www.istanbulislands.com