The CBRT Tower stands in the Finanskent district of Istanbul as part of the Istanbul Financial Center. Standing 354 metres tall with 62 floors, it became the tallest building in Istanbul and Turkey upon completion in 2024, holding the record as of February 2026. It is the country’s first-ever built supertall skyscraper.
The tower serves as the headquarters for the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey, making it an important architectural symbol of Turkey’s economic status. As a working government institution, the building is not open to public visits, but its distinctive silhouette and prominent location on the Asian side make it a recognizable part of Istanbul’s modern skyline.
Current access notice: As of October 2026: This is a government office building and closed to public visits. The exterior is viewable from public areas surrounding the Istanbul Financial Center.
Quick Facts
| Built / opened | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Architect(s) | Şefik Birkiye (Vizzion Architecture) |
| Address | Finanskent Mahallesi, Finans Caddesi No:24, 34760 Ümraniye, Istanbul Google MapsApple MapsYandex Maps |
| District | Ümraniye |
| Metro | Yenisahra Finans Merkezi (M4) Finans Merkezi (M12) |
| Best time to visit | Clear days, especially early morning or late afternoon, provide the best light for photography. The tower's tapered spire is most visible in bright conditions. Weekday mornings tend to be quieter if you prefer fewer crowds in the surrounding plaza. Sunset photography from the Bosphorus area captures the tower's illuminated silhouette. |
| Recommended duration | 30 minutes (exterior view only) |
| Website | tcmb.gov.tr |
What Is (and Isn't) Part of a Visit to CBRT Tower?
| Part | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tower exterior and spire | Outside / not part of it | Visible from public areas but the building interior is not open to visitors |
| Istanbul Financial Center complex | Included in the standard ticket | The surrounding plaza, landscaping and public areas are accessible; this is separate from the tower building itself |
| Tower interior, offices, museum and facilities | Not open to visitors | Access is restricted to staff and authorized personnel only |
Why Visit CBRT Tower?
While the tower itself is not open to visitors, it is worth viewing from the surrounding Istanbul Financial Center area and from certain vantage points across the city. The concept of the Istanbul Financial Center emerged in the early 2000s as part of Turkey’s broader economic vision to elevate its status in the global financial arena. The tower represents a modern milestone in Istanbul’s development and offers photographers a striking subject from multiple angles across the Asian side.
Highlights of CBRT Tower
Exterior Architecture
Designed by Şefik Birkiye of Vizzion Architecture, the tower blends elements of local and traditional architecture with a modern aesthetic, embodying the prestige of the CBRT. The tower rises from a square podium into a slender, fluted shaft that subtly tapers after the 40th floor, with a reinforced-concrete core and perimeter megacolumn grid to resist Istanbul's high seismic loads.
Tip: Best viewed from the Istanbul Financial Center plaza or from the Bosphorus viewpoints on the Beşiktaş side
Height and Record
The tower stands at 354 metres with 62 floors. With the installation of its final structural steel component, the spire, in May 2024, the tower reached a height of 353.9 metres, qualifying as a super tall building. It is now internationally recognized as Turkey's tallest structure.
Tip: The distinctive tapered spire is its most recognizable feature and visible from many parts of the Asian side
Istanbul Financial Center Complex
The Istanbul Financial Center opened on 17 April 2023 and surrounds the tower. The base floors of the tower house a conference hall, museum, library, restaurant, sports facilities, and winter gardens, while the upper floors are dedicated to office spaces and meeting areas. The wider complex serves as a modern financial hub.
Tip: The surrounding plaza and gardens are accessible; consider walking around the complex to appreciate the architectural setting
Seismic Design Innovation
The tower's construction presented unique engineering challenges. A reinforced-concrete core couples with a perimeter megacolumn grid to resist Istanbul's high seismic loads, with outriggers at mechanical levels tying the systems together to boost lateral stiffness. This represents cutting-edge earthquake-resistant architecture for Turkey.
Tip: Look for the structural columns visible at the base—they are part of the sophisticated seismic-resistance system
Government Headquarters
The tower is owned by and serves as the headquarters for the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey. The relocation of the Central Bank from Ankara to this new tower in Istanbul marks a significant shift in Turkey's financial administration and symbolizes the country's commitment to establishing Istanbul as a global financial center.
Tip: Photography of the exterior is permitted from public areas; the tower photographs particularly well in golden light at sunrise or sunset
Construction Milestone
Construction started in 2020 and was completed in 2024. The project was developed by the Istanbul Financial Center. Practical completion was certified on December 18, 2024, with the CBRT obtaining an occupancy permit and beginning phased move-in ahead of public operations in 2025.
Tip: If visiting the Istanbul Financial Center, ask staff about the tower's history and the relocation of the Central Bank operations
Atmosphere
The CBRT Tower dominates the Finanskent skyline with its distinctive tapered profile and gleaming stone façade. From ground level, its scale is almost abstract—the spire vanishes into the sky on clear days. The surrounding Istanbul Financial Center is modern and orderly, with wide plazas and contemporary landscaping, quite different from the older neighbourhoods of Istanbul. The area tends to be quiet during weekends, with activity concentrated on weekday business hours. The tower is most striking when lit at night, its silhouette clearly visible from across the Golden Horn and Bosphorus.
History of CBRT Tower
The concept of the Istanbul Financial Center emerged in the early 2000s as part of Turkey’s broader economic vision to elevate its status in the global financial arena, gaining momentum with the formal announcement by the Turkish government in 2009. Subsequent legislative measures and substantial investments were made to advance the project.
On July 30, 2015, a government-sponsored design competition crowned German firm HPP, launching plans for a landmark headquarters within the emerging Istanbul Finance Center. However, the final design was created by Şefik Birkiye of Vizzion Architecture.
On January 3, 2020, ground was broken in Ataşehir, with contractor Limak İnşaat beginning the raft foundation for what would become the nation’s first supertall. On February 14, 2022, an internal CBRT circular confirmed the bank’s impending relocation from Ankara to Istanbul, accelerating interior fit-out and systems integration.
On April 17, 2023, the wider Istanbul Finance Center opened; the tower’s façade was 90% complete and its spire already dominated the Asian-side skyline. With the installation of its final structural steel component, the spire, in May 2024, the tower reached a height of 353.9 metres, qualifying as a super tall building under international standards.
Practical completion was certified on December 18, 2024, with the CBRT obtaining an occupancy permit and beginning phased move-in ahead of public operations in 2025. The Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye (CBRT) Tower has been officially recognized by the Council on Vertical Urbanism (CVU) as the tallest building in Türkiye.
Tickets and Booking for CBRT Tower
The CBRT Tower is not open to public visits. It is a working government office building housing the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey. Only the surrounding Istanbul Financial Center public areas are accessible to visitors. For more information about the Central Bank, visit the official website at tcmb.gov.tr.
Suggested itineraries CBRT Tower
30 minutes
Walk around the Istanbul Financial Center plaza to view the tower's exterior from different angles. Observe the architectural details of the base and podium. Take photographs from the public areas. Note the tower's tapered profile and the distinctive spire against the Istanbul skyline.
1 hour
Visit the Istanbul Financial Center area, viewing the CBRT Tower from multiple vantage points. Explore the surrounding plaza, public gardens, and landscaped areas. Stop at nearby cafes or restaurants within the complex if desired. Walk around the perimeter to understand the building's relationship to its setting.
Half day (with other Asian side sites)
Combine a visit to view the CBRT Tower with nearby attractions such as the Camlica Tower or a walk through the Finanskent neighbourhood. Use the metro (M4 or M12 lines) to explore other parts of the Asian side. Photograph the tower from different districts where its silhouette is visible.
How to Get to CBRT Tower
By metro: Two metro lines serve the area:
- M4 (Kadıköy–Kaynarca): Exit at Yenisahra Finans Merkezi station. The tower is an 8–10 minute walk from this exit.
- M12 (Hacıosman–Ayrılık Çeşmesi): Exit at Finans Merkezi station. This exit is closer to the Istanbul Financial Center complex, with the tower visible immediately.
Walking directions: From Finans Merkezi metro station (M12), head towards the large modern plaza with contemporary landscaping. The CBRT Tower is centrally located within the complex and clearly visible. From Yenisahra Finans Merkezi station (M4), follow signs to the Istanbul Financial Center; the walk passes through the Finanskent neighbourhood.
By taxi or rideshare: Request the Istanbul Financial Center (İstanbul Finans Merkezi) or CBRT Tower address in Ümraniye. Parking is available in the Financial Center’s 26,500-vehicle parking complex.
Accessibility
The Istanbul Financial Center public areas are generally accessible. The surrounding plaza has paved walkways suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. However, only the public exterior areas are available; the tower building itself is not open to visitors. Confirm specific accessibility features with the Istanbul Financial Center information desk.
Food Nearby
The Istanbul Financial Center complex includes restaurants and cafes within and around the CBRT Tower building. Several restaurants are located in the base floors. Additional dining options are available in the surrounding Finanskent neighbourhood, though many are geared toward office workers rather than casual visitors. Convenience stores and food vendors operate in the complex.
What to Bring
Comfortable walking shoes for the surrounding plaza and Finanskent area. A camera for photography from public viewpoints. Sunscreen and hat, as the plaza areas offer limited shade. In winter months, bring a jacket as the open plaza areas can be windy.
Best Views and Photo Spots of CBRT Tower
Istanbul Financial Center main plaza
Head-on view of the tower's base and tapered shaft rising against the sky. The podium's architectural details and the fluted column grid are clearly visible. This is the most accessible and striking angle from ground level.
Best time: Morning light for clear skies; late afternoon for golden light on the façade
Bosphorus viewpoints (Beşiktaş or Ortaköy side)
Distant view of the CBRT Tower's spire dominating the Asian-side skyline across the water. The tower's silhouette is stark and unmistakable. Foreground elements include the Bosphorus and other Asian-side buildings.
Best time: Sunset for silhouette photography; dusk for city lights reflection in the water
Camlica viewpoint area
Wide panoramic view of Istanbul with the CBRT Tower as a central vertical element in the skyline. The tower appears to be one landmark among many from this distance, showing its scale relative to other buildings.
Best time: Clear days with good visibility; late afternoon for warm light
Finanskent neighbourhood streets
Close-up views of the tower from different neighbourhood angles, showing how the building relates to the surrounding urban environment. Street-level perspectives reveal the podium's architectural features and public access areas.
Best time: Morning light for avoiding harsh shadows from the tower itself
M12 Finans Merkezi metro station exit
The tower appears immediately upon exiting the metro, with the modern plaza framing it. This viewpoint captures the relationship between public transport access and the building.
Best time: Any clear day; useful for capturing the connection to urban infrastructure
Photography Rules
Photography of the exterior from public areas is permitted. Drones are not permitted within the Istanbul Financial Center complex or near the tower. Tripods may be restricted in some plaza areas; check with center staff. The tower photographs particularly well in daylight and at night when illuminated. Flash photography is not an issue outdoors.
Family Suitability
The surrounding Istanbul Financial Center is family-friendly with open plaza areas, modern landscaping, and public walkways. However, there is limited entertainment value for children since the tower itself is not open to visitors and viewing is primarily external. Stroller access is good in the public areas. Families interested in modern architecture and Istanbul's skyline may find a brief visit interesting, but a longer stay is not recommended for families with young children seeking interactive experiences.
Istanbul Vibes Tips
- The tower is most dramatically visible at sunset and after dark when its façade and spire are illuminated. Consider timing your visit for late afternoon to capture both daylight and evening light.
- Combine a CBRT Tower visit with nearby attractions on the Asian side such as Camlica Tower or the Bosphorus viewpoints. This makes efficient use of travel time, as you're already on the Asian side.
- Use the nearby metro stations (M4 or M12) rather than taxis. The metro is faster and more direct, especially during rush hours when traffic around Finanskent can be heavy.
- Do not expect to enter the tower or access any interior spaces. Plan your visit as a 30-minute exterior viewing activity rather than a full-day outing. Check before visiting if any public exhibitions or viewpoints have been added to the base facilities.
- The tower's stone cladding and architectural details are worth examining up close from the plaza. The base podium reveals the sophisticated structural design. Walk the full perimeter to see how the building transitions from its large base to the tapered upper shaft.
- Avoid visiting during midday (11:00–14:00) on summer days, as the plaza lacks shade and can be uncomfortably hot. Morning and late afternoon provide better comfort and light for photography.
Explore Nearby CBRT Tower
Sights near CBRT Tower
Camlica Tower – about 5.7 km away · typical visit: 1–2 hours2 min on foot from Altunizade metro, Open daily 10:00–22:00Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Istanbul Naval Museumabout 9.8 km away · typical visit: 1.5–2 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Emaar SkyView – about 27.1 km away · typical visit: 1–1.5 hoursOpen daily 10:00–22:00Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanical Garden – about 850 m away (~14 min walk) · typical visit: 2–3 hoursOpen 09:30–17:00, closed MonMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
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FAQ: CBRT Tower
Can I go inside the CBRT Tower?
No. The CBRT Tower is the headquarters of the Central Bank of Turkey and is not open to public visits. Only government staff and authorized personnel have access to the interior. The tower is viewable from the surrounding Istanbul Financial Center public areas.
Is it free to view the tower from outside?
Yes. The Istanbul Financial Center plaza and public areas surrounding the tower are free to access. You can photograph the exterior and walk around the complex at no cost.
How tall is the CBRT Tower?
The tower stands 354 metres (1,161 feet) tall with 62 floors. It is Turkey's tallest building and the country's first supertall skyscraper. The height includes the spire; the roof height is 330 metres.
When was the CBRT Tower completed?
Construction began in January 2020 and was completed in December 2024. The spire was installed in May 2024. The Central Bank began phased move-in starting in early 2025.
What metro lines go to the CBRT Tower?
Two lines serve the area: the M4 (Kadıköy–Kaynarca) stops at Yenisahra Finans Merkezi, and the M12 (Hacıosman–Ayrılık Çeşmesi) stops at Finans Merkezi, which is closer to the tower. Both stations connect to the Istanbul Financial Center complex.
Who designed the CBRT Tower?
The tower was designed by Şefik Birkiye of Vizzion Architecture. The design blends Ottoman-inspired geometric elements with modern architecture. The structural engineering incorporates advanced seismic-resistance systems to withstand Istanbul's earthquake risk.
Is parking available?
Yes. The Istanbul Financial Center has a large parking complex with 26,500 parking spaces. Parking is available for visitors, though daily rates apply. Inquire at the center's information desk for visitor parking rates and locations.
Are there restaurants or cafes near the tower?
Yes. The Istanbul Financial Center complex includes restaurants and cafes in the base floors and surrounding areas, though many are geared toward office workers. Convenience stores are also available in the complex. Additional dining options exist in the Finanskent neighbourhood.
Istanbul Vibes is a one-person project. A coffee keeps it going
Hotels near CBRT Tower
- The Gate Suites (800 m) Check prices (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
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Restaurants near CBRT Tower
- Kudeta Chinese & Sushi (750 m) Google Maps
Distances are straight-line, from OpenStreetMap data.
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