RMJM’s New York City office has won an invited competition to design a 340,000 sq m mixed-use development with an estimated value of US $1 billion. The project, which will be located in a section of Istanbul that the Turkish government intends to transform into the city’s new financial district and a business center for the country, will include residential, commercial, retail and recreation facilities that will serve as many as 10-15,000 people.

RMJM’s concept was selected from among eight firms, including five Turkish firms, two Italian firms and one US firm. We’re pleased that our concept was selected from among many other worthy submissions, but even more excited that RMJM will have an opportunity to create a landmark community in Istanbul’s up-and-coming financial district,” said Chris Jones, RMJM’s Urban Studio Director and Design Principal. “We will respond with a design that simultaneously addresses Istanbul’s culture, climate, architectural heritage and cosmopolitan attitude, and will maximize panoramic views of the Bosphorus, Marmara Sea and Prince’s Island.”

M. Erdinç Varlibas, CEO of VARYAP, which hosted the competition, added: “We were looking for architects who understand how to create landmark places – truly unique environments. I think what we will achieve here will radically transform the thinking in Istanbul and Turkey about high-end property development and design. It will be of the same caliber as many of the internationally recognized, cutting-edge projects being designed today in Dubai, London and New York City.”

Details of the design will be released in Winter 2008/2009.