‘Why did you hand over Bomonti Beer Factory to Presidency of Religious Affairs?’

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Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Ankara MP Filiz Kerestecioğlu has addressed a Parliamentary question to Minister of Environment and Urban Affairs Murat Kurum and asked him a series of questions regarding the demolition of Bomonti Beer Factory buildings in İstanbul.

Established in 1890 in late Ottoman era, Bomonti Beer Factory was the first modern beer manufacturing facility in the Ottoman Empire. While the production was halted in 1991, the remaining buildings of the factory were handed over to the Presidency of Religious Affairs in 2019.

'It was allocated with an irregular decision'

Within this context, HDP MP Kerestecioğlu has shared the following background information about the Bomonti Beer Factory: "The buildings of Bomonti Beer Factory, which is an important part of our country's early industrial history and urban memory, started to be demolished last week.

"In fact, as noted by the Chamber of Architects and Chamber of Urban and Regional Planners, Bomonti Beer Factory as a public property and its vicinity have been registered as a 'cultural asset in need of preservation' by the İstanbul No. 1 Cultural and Natural Heritage Preservation Board.

"However, in spite of this, a tender was held for the factory in 2009 and only a few buildings were left. These remaining buildings have been allocated to the Presidency of Religious Affairs with an irregular decision.

"Even though there are ongoing lawsuits against the demolition of the buildings and construction of a small mosque, dormitory and car park in their place, your Ministry has issued an official document permitting the demolition of remaining buildings. While you Ministry, as stipulated by its duties, has to work to protect architectural and cultural values, it is seen that it has drafted an unlawful document for demolition."

'Does this document comply with the law?'

Kerestecioğlu has asked the Minister the following questions:

"Why are the buildings of Bomonti Beer Factory, which is one of the few industrial heritage sites left in İstanbul, demolished and their traces in the city erased? Considering that there are ongoing trials about the buildings, does the document permitting the demolition comply with the law?

"As the courts fail to give a ruling of stay of execution, it is seen that even when the lawsuits are ultimately won, the constructions have already been completed, as in the case of several other examples like Sulukule in İstanbul. Within this context, in how many cases has your Ministry permitted demolition or construction amid ongoing judicial proceedings?

"What is the reason for handing over the Bomonti Beer Factory, where the first modern beer manufacturing took place in the Ottoman period, to the Presidency of Religious Affairs? It is alleged that the District Municipality of Şişli has not been informed about what will be constructed in place of the buildings and based on what plan. Is this allegation true?

"Are you thinking about ending the demolition immediately and turn them into an accessible social and cultural site that can be benefited by citizens from all socioeconomic backgrounds, as also requested by the people of Şişli?" (SO/SD)