Brand Beylikdüzü: ‘The Republic of Shopping’ and Istanbul’s top investment hotspot

  • Over 50% of brand product sales in Turkey are made in Istanbul (Ecco footwear)
  • ‘The Republic of Shopping’ Beylikdüzü witnesses impressive brand expansion
  • Transport project expansion, of Istanbul New Airport and Kanal Istanbul, to positively effect Beylikdüzü property prices in line with Metrobus impact of 21% growth (Reidin)

Situated in Istanbul’s European quarter, the predominantly middle class district of Beylikdüzü though benefitting from ancient Byzantine roots is in fact a relatively modern area, with an enviable host of amenities and newly constructed properties, perfectly designed to host the expanding moneyed population.

With Istanbul home to the Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest shopping malls in the world, founded in 1461, the city has always been synonymous with shopping and the predominantly middle class pastime of browsing the plentiful, colourful wares on offer therein. In today’s booming commoditised marketplace, and with Istanbul’s growing focus as one of the world’s top tourist destinations – with Trip Advisor revealing it to be the top European destination to visit according to their ‘2015 Travellers’ Choice awards for Destinations’ – the city has readied itself as a go-to shopping location.

Beylikdüzü itself is playing a major part in putting Istanbul on the shopping map, with a great expansion in the stand-out brands on offer in recent years. Adil Yaman, Director of Universal21, the leading property agency in South-West Istanbul, explains more,

“Often referred to as ‘The Republic of Shopping’, Istanbul’s sophisticated neighbourhood of Beylikdüzü has the highest number of malls in the city and is already home to many well-known designer brands. This is noticeably on the increase, with well-known names such as US lingerie brand Victoria’s Secret and popular Spanish fashion brand Zara recently joining the wealth of designer names to be found in the neighbourhood.

“With Danish footwear brand Ecco, who are rapidly expanding their presence in the city, recently claiming that over 50% of brand product sales in Turkey are made in Istanbul, the future is bright for further growth of interest in shopping malls and greater wealth expansion in key areas such as Beylikdüzü.”

As Yaman indicates, this important indication that Beylikdüzü is a destination of wealth, the principally middle-class population are in turn seeking out living solutions to reflect their ever-evolving lifestyle. With sleek, high-rise apartment buildings and luxurious environmentally-conscious villa designs emerging in answer, this provides excellent opportunities for savvy investors to be part of the solution and in return, to themselves benefit financially from this cash-rich populous.

Yet it is not just the growing spotlight on Beylikdüzü as a shopping destination of choice that is propelling it forwards as an investment hotspot, key transport link improvements are also having a substantial knock-on effect. The development of Istanbul New Airport, in answer to the deluge of passenger traffic passing through Atatürk Airport, the current airport serving the European side of the city, will provide far greater options for overseas visitors and economic growth in general.

Alongside this, Kanal Istanbul, an impressive and revolutionary project that will relieve a large amount of the current transportation pressure felt by the Bosphorus, is set to also impact positively on the location, driving increased expenditure and investment.

With the development of the Metrobus route in the city resulting in an impressive 21% increase in property prices, according to Reidin, the effects of improved transport links are clear to see, signalling great things for the future. And with the Istanbul Chamber of Real Estate Brokers and Consultants revealing that property prices have near-on doubled in Beylikdüzü in recent years, it is clear that this is an important destination of focus for shrewd investors in light of these expansions.

One project that is drawing such attention is Anfa Life Residence, from Universal21, a masterpiece in construction, with finishes of the highest quality, located in the very heart of the district of Beylikdüzü. With 13 floors of residential apartments, and due to open in a matter of weeks as the ideal middle-class living solution, the development boasts a range of shops as well as an array of excellent facilities, including a cinema, Hamam, spa, sauna, health and fitness club, cafeteria and a children’s play area.

Properties span one and two bedroom apartments, each luxuriously planned and taking full advantage of the space. All apartments are beautifully finished with high standard kitchens and granite-style worktops, with sunken spotlights throughout and with stunning bathrooms, ensuring that finishing standards for Anfa Life are some of the best seen in Istanbul, with special attention paid to all details, making them the perfect investment choice. Rental yields are up to 7%, with a 5-year rental guarantee, and prices for one bed apartments start at $102,000, with two bed apartments priced from $163,000.

Alternatively, for those looking for a luxurious home that also offers stand-out eco features, Universal21’s Oceanic Bayview Villas are the principle choice. Just outside of Beylikdüzü, 20 minutes from Ataturk International Airport and only five minutes from Buyukcekmece Marina, the range of villas are each built across three floors with a minimum of four bedrooms and four bathrooms. With beautiful features that include an internal suspended balcony overlooking the grand living room, a games/cinema room, Jacuzzi room and private swimming pool and triple garage, the properties also benefit from state-of-the-art eco features.

Utilising the latest smart home technology and eco-friendly solutions, villas are designed as super-efficient, recycling rainwater from the concave roofs, using three solar collectors and wind turbines to generate power (saving between 30-60% on annual electricity consumption), special profile panoramic windows, heat pumps, LED lighting, and heat and water insulation. Oceanic Bayview Villas are available from $1,595,000.

For more information, contact Universal21 on 0203 287 8700, or visit www.universal21.com