British architecture studio Foster + Partners has unveiled plans for a retail development on the banks of the Golden Horn in Istanbul. Called Golden Horn Plaza, the project is part of a broader redevelopment initiative in the city’s historic waterfront zone and will include retail pavilions, a cantilevered restaurant, and new public spaces.
Positioned along the inlet of the Bosphorus, the site is part of the larger Tersane masterplan, which aims to transform 1.6 kilometers of disused waterfront into a publicly accessible promenade. Foster + Partners’ contribution seeks to establish a walkable commercial district that references Istanbul’s maritime and industrial history.
Design Approach
The studio has conceptualized Golden Horn Plaza as a collection of interconnected retail pavilions that vary in façade, interior layout, and spatial orientation. Each unit is designed to be flexible, catering to premium retail tenants while allowing for changes over time.
- The entire complex will consist of two-storey volumes connected through shaded walkways.
- Storefronts and interiors are designed to be adjustable to suit the branding and operational needs of different tenants.
- The development is intended to emulate the visual diversity of the surrounding urban waterfront through layered facades and varying geometries.
Public and Landscape Integration
A key feature of the project is its emphasis on accessibility and public engagement. Foster + Partners is integrating landscape strategies inspired by traditional Istanbul gardens, including tree canopies and water features aimed at microclimate regulation.
- A green public square will be created between the retail pavilions and the water’s edge.
- This open space is planned as a venue for cultural programs, events, and everyday public use.
- The inclusion of shaded passages and planted areas aims to encourage year-round foot traffic and outdoor activities.
The project’s landscape scheme will also act as a buffer between commercial functions and the waterfront, maintaining visual and physical permeability to the estuary.
Architectural Features
The upper level of the plaza will feature a cantilevered restaurant with a circular, disc-shaped roof resembling a flying saucer. This architectural element is positioned to serve as a focal point for visitors and provide panoramic views of the Golden Horn.
- The roofline and materials of the restaurant are intended to contrast with the more grounded, modular forms of the retail units.
- Covered terraces adjacent to the restaurant will offer additional viewing points across the water.
- While the plaza is composed of multiple structures, its design maintains a unified circulation and landscape network.
Context and Connectivity
Golden Horn Plaza will be located within walking distance of several of Istanbul’s historic and cultural landmarks. The project leverages this proximity by designing for pedestrian accessibility and continuity with surrounding urban patterns.
According to Foster + Partners, the development is structured to fit into Istanbul’s existing urban grain, avoiding large-scale enclosures or superblocks. Instead, the goal is to foster a semi-open, fine-grained network of retail streets and public paths.
Part of the Tersane Masterplan
The larger Tersane scheme is a multi-phase urban regeneration plan targeting industrial waterfronts on the northern edge of the Golden Horn. Once home to shipyards and warehouses, the area is being converted into a zone that combines:
- Residential housing
- Retail and commercial spaces
- Cultural institutions
- Open public waterfront access
Foster + Partners’ retail plaza is among the first anchor developments in the Tersane plan, setting the tone for architectural and landscape standards across future phases.
Foster + Partners’ Broader Work
Golden Horn Plaza joins several other urban-scale projects currently underway by the London-based studio. Notably, Foster + Partners is also designing the Queen Elizabeth II memorial in London and working on the tallest skyscraper in Paraguay.
The practice, led by Norman Foster, has developed a portfolio over the past five decades that includes airports, museums, headquarters, and public infrastructure. In Istanbul, the firm’s latest proposal complements recent high-profile projects by other studios such as the Renzo Piano Building Workshop’s Istanbul Modern and KPF’s Ziraat Bank Headquarters.
Conclusion
Golden Horn Plaza is positioned as a commercial anchor for the wider Tersane development, balancing contemporary retail needs with a public realm strategy. Its modular architecture, integrated landscape, and prominent location along the Golden Horn reflect an approach that blends heritage context with flexible urban form. As Istanbul continues to reshape its historic core through large-scale adaptive reuse and urban regeneration efforts, the project marks a new chapter in the city’s evolving relationship with its waterfront.
Images- Foster + Partners.
