GALATAPORT
Challenge
Galataport Istanbul is regarded as a major destination project globally with a cruise liner port on the 1.2-kilometer coastline. An exemplary project on the global scale, Galataport Istanbul features an underground terminal using a hatch system, first of a kind in the world.
The key challenge for Portland was to create a masterplan and ground level activation to drive 60% of the overall footfall that came from the North Eastern corner of the site to the water’s edge on the south of the site.
Approach
Our strategy was to place key commercial footfall drivers along the main street running east/west to ‘step stone’ people along the street.
This included fixed commercial units on either side of the street as well as transient activations along its centre. Additionally, we placed key commercial anchors at the corners of the two side streets running north/ south to encourage people to turn left and progress to the water.
Once people arrived at the plaza in front of the water, F&B units with external seating encouraged them to dwell. We also placed activations, seating and play areas at the water’s edge to create animation.
Results
Galataport Istanbul will welcome around 25 million visitors per year, including 7 million foreign tourists. The project is expected to attract around 1.5 million cruise liner passengers to Istanbul every year.
