Abdülmecid Efendi Mansion

Abdülmecid Efendi Mansion, located within the borders of Bağlarbaşı High Forest in Kuzguncuk, Istanbul, was allowed to serve as a cultural center due to its artistic characteristics, although it was used as the summer residence of Şehzade Abdülmecid Efendi. Although the outhouses and harem buildings have not survived until today, the three-storey selamlık building, which still preserves the brand- new appearance, serves as the social facility of the Koç Group.

Abdülmecid Efendi Mansion, which is considered as one of the most important buildings belonging to the last period of the Ottoman Empire, was gotten built by the Egyptian Khedive İsmail Pasha between 1880-1885 according to historical references. This historical building, of which the architect is not known, was transferred to Mahmud Hamdi Pasha, one of his sons, after Ismail Pasha died. Afterwards, Sultan Abdülhamid bought it and assigned it to Prince Abdülmecid Efendi.

There is a rumor that all of the harem buildings of Abdülmecid Efendi Mansion are made of wood, although they have not survived to this day. Prince Abdülmecid Efendi lived in this mansion between 1896-1897, and the mansion underwent a comprehensive restoration in 1903. The "Fountain of Love", designed by Avni Lifij and Prince Abdülmecid Efendi in the early 1900's, can be seen on the wall on the left side of the east entrance hall.

Abdülmecid Efendi Mansion was sold to the Kalkavan family in 1942 and then to Kazım Taşkent, and then underwent a comprehensive restoration. II. Abdülmecid Efendi Mansion, which was assigned to soldiers for a period of time during the World War II, underwent a restoration between 1987-1988. Prince Abdülmecit Efendi said the following about assigning the mansion: “There are various kinds among chamberlains. A person named Tevfik Bey came, went in with a false greeting and presented the bills. " Finally, the mansion was used as a culture and arts center and social facility.