One of Ankara's most valuable landmarks changed hands two years ago. After the US Embassy moved to its new building in Çukurambar, the historical campus on Atatürk Boulevard, which was used as the US Embassy for more than 65 years, was transferred to TY Gayrimenkul and Aşhan group, managed by Şemsetdin Hancı, a businessman from Trabzon. It was announced by Hancı that the sale was completed in the autumn of 2024 and the title deed was transferred to the buyer in November.
The campus covers an area of approximately 23 acres consisting of four parcels. Sources state that the area has 3rd degree SIT status and the historical embassy building is one of the structures that need to be protected.
OVER 20 MILLION DOLLARS
One of the most curious elements of the sale is the price. Although it was stated in previous news that the land was sold for 20 million dollars, it is stated that the sales figure is above this. Şemsetdin Hancı, who bought the land, did not disclose the sales price. Hancı stated that there was a confidentiality agreement between the two parties and only said that "it cost a serious amount."
PURCHASED AS "COUPON LAND"
One of the most striking details of the file is Hancı's own statement. Hancı said that they bought the land not because of any ready-made project, but because it was a "coupon land". It was announced that there was no finalized project for the campus yet and that they would make a decision in consultation with the city dynamics in Ankara.
According to architect Tezcan Karakuş Candan, the former US campus has been processed as an "embassy area" in the zoning plans. Therefore, the plan change process for the new use needs to be brought to the agenda. It is stated that headlines such as precedent and storey height may be decisive in this process.
"EVEN IF THEY GIVE 10 FLOOR PERMISSION, I WON'T BUILD 10 FLOORS"
The interesting thing is that the message given by the land owner to the public on this issue is quite clear. Hancı stated that he did not want high-rise construction and said, "Even if they give permission for 10 floors, I would not build 10 floors."
He also said that uses such as housing, schools and hospitals were not considered. He talked about the possibility of preserving the historical building and even organizing a project competition, as in the examples of Saraçoğlu District and Ulucanlar Prison.
For this reason, today there is no finalized project that can be said "this project will be done".
WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT?
This is no ordinary real estate. The US's diplomatic presence in Ankara started in a wagon at Ankara Train Station in its early days, and was later moved to this campus on Atatürk Boulevard. The embassy operated here for decades until it moved to its new campus. The campus is also located on one of the most symbolic axes of Republic Ankara, together with the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Çankaya Mansion and other historical diplomatic buildings.
Therefore, a possible zoning change here is not just a matter of 23 acres of private property; It is an issue that concerns Ankara's city skyline, historical texture and the future of Atatürk Boulevard.
HOW WAS THE SALE DONE?
There are unanswered questions about the former US Embassy:
First, what was the real price of the sale? The claim of 20 million dollars is circulating, but experts say that the price of this place is many times higher than this. What exactly are the current development rights of the 23-decare land? What kind of planning process is required for it to lose its "embassy area" status?
What will the new owner transform this area into? Will it be conservation, culture-art, tourism, commercial use or another model?
As a result, a giant 23-acre campus in the heart of Ankara, which carries the diplomatic memory of the history of the Republic, changed hands and its new use is still not clear.
