Istanbul Sapphire

The second tallest building in Turkey after the nearby Diamond of Istanbul, the Istanbul Sapphire rises 54 stories above ground level in the central business district of Levent. A luxury commercial and residential mixed-use project, it was the country’s first ecological skyscraper.  A high-tech structure, the building features special systems to absorb sunlight and ultraviolet beams and to buffer the residents from negative weather conditions and external noise. The foundation pit for the project, at over 42 meters below ground level, was the deepest ever excavated in Turkey.

The building has plenty to offer visitors, including an observation deck with panoramic, 360 degree views of the city and a 4D movie replicating the experience of flying in a helicopter over Istanbul.  It also features a large shopping mall, fine restaurants, an indoor mini-golf course, vertical gardens and a swimming pool with views of the Bosphorus.

Practical Information

The Istanbul Sapphire is located at Buyukdere Caddesi 4 in Levent. The easiest way to visit is to simply take the Metro to the Levent station, which exits into the building. The shopping mall is open daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tickets for the observation deck cost 15 Turkish lira for adults or 10 lira for students.