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Nişantaşı, one of the elite quarters and top shopping areas of Istanbul

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Nişantaşı, one of the elite quarters and top shopping areas of Istanbul

Nişantaşı which is known to be among the elite quarters of Istanbul is located at the intersection of Valikonağı Avenue and Teşvikiye Street-Rumeli Avenue in the SISLI district. The name comes from the monumental stone (ANIT TAŞ) located right at the said intersection point.

The area that was not residential before the Ottoman sultan Selim the third had the first monumental stone erected at the place in 1794-95. Records also say the same sultan had a mosque built at the location as well which is now known as TESVIKIYE mosque. The mosque was built to serve when the sultan was came to this place for shooting (nişan almak meaning aiming or pointing) exercises.

The development of the area after the 1930s has been in the direction of apartment buildings as in all of Istanbul and it has become one of the fastest growing residential districts together with others such as Taksim, Harbiye, Osmanbey and Sisli surrounding it or nearby. However this development of apartment buildings continued as an elaborate settlement. The shopping streets and shops in the district supported and preserved this identity as a preferred settlement location especially for the upper income group in the city. In the 1970s, Istiklal Street began to lose its former character and many of the prominent or famous shops moved to Nişantaşı, as well.

Nowadays, it continues to be a vibrant and crowded area of Istanbul, as well as a distinguished district with its luxury shops, galleries, restaurants and elegant showcases. The streets of Abdi İpekçi, Teşvikiye and the Governor’s Mansion are among the streets of Istanbul that have the highest real estate rent prices.

Nişantaşı, which was known as the shopping area until the 2000s, has now become popular with the entertainment venues recently opened in the district. Since 2002, it has become one of the centers for the New Year celebrations in Istanbul.

NISANTASI – like some other districts such as Cihangir, Moda and Bebek – is known as one of the best places for foreigners to live in Istanbul, as well.

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