Akmerkez Shopping Center

Akmerkez is a shopping mall located in the Etiler quarter on the European side of Istanbul,close to Besiktas district. It was commissioned on December 18, 1993 by a joint venture of the Akkok, Tekfen and Istikbal companies.

The Akmerkez complex covers an area of 180,000 m2 and is comprised of a four-storey shopping area, with two towers offering 14 and 17 stories of office space, and a third tower with 24 stories of residential areas. The shopping area, offering visitors close to 250 stores, is spread over a triangular area connected to the surrounding main roads through 3 atria. There are 41 escalators, 2 panoramic elevators and 30 elevators providing greater speed and easy access for visitors

In 1995, Akmerkez was chosen as the best shopping center in Europe by the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). In the competition, organized by this same council, Akmerkez was recognized as the best shopping center in the world in 1996. It also received the highest accolade given by the ICSC, the "International Design and Development Award". It is the only shopping center in the world to receive both of these awards.

Source: http://www.akmerkez.com.tr