Ataşehir and the Istanbul Finance Centre: What It Means for Property Buyers

Ataşehir has changed more than almost any other district on the Asian side of Istanbul. Once a residential suburb, it is now home to the Istanbul Financial Center (IFC), the headquarters of the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye and some of the tallest towers in the country. This guide explains what the finance centre means for the district, how Ataşehir works for residents and what buyers should consider before choosing a home there.

Last updated: November 2026.

Ataşehir at a Glance

Ataşehir became a district in 2008, formed from parts of Kadıköy, Üsküdar, Ümraniye and Kartal. It has a population of more than 400,000 in a compact area of about 25 square kilometres. The district combines three distinct environments:

• The finance and tower zone: the IFC and the high-rise residential and office towers around it in the north and centre of the district.
• Established residential areas: neighbourhoods such as Atatürk, Barbaros and Ferhatpaşa, with gated compounds, mid-rise blocks and local shopping streets.
• Older mixed neighbourhoods: İçerenköy, Küçükbakkalköy, Kayışdağı and Yenisahra, with a broader mix of older apartments, new infill projects and more affordable prices.

What Is the Istanbul Financial Center?

The Istanbul Financial Center, often called the Istanbul Finance Centre, opened on 17 April 2023 in the Finanskent area between Ataşehir and Ümraniye. It was designed to bring Turkey's main financial institutions together in one location:

• The Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye, whose 352-metre tower is the tallest building in the district.
• State-owned banks including Ziraat Bank, Halkbank and VakıfBank.
• Regulators such as the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency and the Capital Markets Board.
• Private banks, investment firms and asset managers, plus offices, a shopping centre and a congress centre.

The centre is planned for around 100,000 workers when fully occupied. For the housing market, that means a large pool of professionals who value short commutes, modern buildings and services close to home.

Transport and Connections

• M4 metro: stations at Kozyatağı and Yenisahra connect Ataşehir with Kadıköy and Sabiha Gökçen Airport.
• M8 metro: stations including Küçükbakkalköy, İçerenköy and Kayışdağı link the district with Bostancı, where you can change to the Marmaray line.
• M12 metro (under construction): the Göztepe–Ataşehir–Ümraniye line, with a station at the finance centre, was in test runs in 2026 and is expected to open around the end of the year.
• Roads: Ataşehir sits at the junction of the O-2 and O-4 motorways, with fast access to the D-100, the TEM and both Bosphorus bridges.
• Airport: Sabiha Gökçen Airport is roughly 30–40 minutes away by car, depending on traffic.

Rail access within walking distance makes a real difference in Ataşehir's busy road network. See why in our guide to buying property near metro stations.

Daily Life in Ataşehir

• Shopping and dining: large shopping centres, mixed-use tower complexes and neighbourhood streets with cafés and restaurants.
• Education: private schools across the district and universities including Yeditepe University and Fenerbahçe University.
• Healthcare: several private hospitals in and around the district, with easy access to the hospitals of Kadıköy and Ümraniye.
• Sport and events: the Ülker Sports and Event Hall hosts Fenerbahçe basketball games and major concerts.

Ataşehir feels more urban and corporate than coastal Kadıköy, but it offers newer housing, larger compounds and a shorter commute for anyone working in the finance centre or the offices along the motorways.

Housing Types in Ataşehir

• High-rise residences: towers with concierge services, gyms, pools and city or Bosphorus views from upper floors.
• Branded and mixed-use residences: apartments inside complexes that combine homes, offices and retail. Read what a branded residence in Istanbul is.
• Gated family compounds: lower-rise blocks with gardens, playgrounds and social facilities.
• Older apartment buildings: mainly in İçerenköy, Küçükbakkalköy and Kayışdağı, where prices are lower and many buildings are being renewed.

Within a single tower, prices and rents can vary widely by floor, view and orientation. Our guide to why apartments in the same Istanbul building have different prices explains the factors.

What the Finance Centre Means for Property Buyers

• Professional tenant demand: employees of banks, regulators and financial firms create demand for well-managed apartments close to work.
• Stronger transport links: the M12 line will add a direct rail link to the finance centre and connect it with the M4 and Marmaray corridors.
• Commercial momentum: new offices, services and retail continue to follow the institutions that have moved to the area.
• Premium locations: homes within walking distance of the finance centre or a metro station are usually priced higher than similar homes further away.

Things to Consider Before You Buy

• Supply: Ataşehir has a large stock of residential towers, so competition between projects is high and not every building performs equally.
• Running costs: towers with extensive facilities often have high monthly maintenance fees (aidat), which affect net rental income.
• Traffic: road congestion around the finance centre and the motorway junctions can be heavy at peak times.
• Building quality: compare developers, construction dates and building management, especially in older neighbourhoods.

To see how Ataşehir compares with other locations, read our guides to the European vs Asian side of Istanbul and the best areas to buy property in Istanbul.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Istanbul Financial Center?

It is on the Asian side of Istanbul, in the Finanskent area between Ataşehir and Ümraniye.

Is Ataşehir a good place to live?

For professionals and families who want modern housing, good road and metro connections and a short commute to the Asian side's business areas, Ataşehir is one of the most practical districts in Istanbul.

Which metro lines serve Ataşehir?

The M4 and M8 lines serve the district today. The M12 Göztepe–Ataşehir–Ümraniye line, with a finance centre station, is expected to open around the end of 2026.

What kind of property can you buy in Ataşehir?

Mainly apartments in high-rise residences and gated compounds, plus older apartments in established neighbourhoods.

Find Property in Ataşehir

Browse current property for sale in Ataşehir, for example Ataşehir Park Residence near the finance centre or this ready-to-move project in Ataşehir, or compare all property for sale in Istanbul. New to buying in Turkey? Start with our Property Turkey guide or ask our team for a shortlist.