Hotel and Luxury Residential Interior Architecture in Istanbul

Interior Design Project

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Istanbul · Nişantaşı · Tuzla · Laleli · Pendik

I bring fifteen years at the Istanbul-based Hande Tözün Design Studio, from intern to senior designer, to hotel and residential projects in Istanbul. My office is in İzmit, and Istanbul's Anatolian side, above all Tuzla and Pendik on the Kocaeli border, is a natural part of my working area. Three hotels in the city form the backbone of this page: Crowne Plaza Laleli (2008), where my career began; DoubleTree by Hilton Tuzla (2013), which I delivered as lead designer; and The Westin Istanbul Nişantaşı (2021), where I worked on the concept as senior designer. Each solved a different problem: converting a historic building into a hotel, creating a business hotel in an industrial district, and designing an international brand's first hotel in Türkiye.

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Hotel and Luxury Residential Interior Architecture in Istanbul DoubleTree Hilton Tuzla

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Hotel Projects in Istanbul

The Westin Istanbul Nişantaşı (2021). Marriott International's first Westin hotel in Türkiye, inside the newly built Lotus Istanbul complex. As senior designer at Hande Tözün Design Studio I worked on the guest rooms, lobby, bars and restaurant. The concept was largely complete when I moved to Cita Design Studio in 2022, and I continued to join site visits during construction and after opening. See the Westin Nişantaşı project.

DoubleTree by Hilton Tuzla (2013). A business hotel close to the Tuzla shipyards. Many guests are engineers and managers from the maritime and industrial sectors, so the lobby, reception, bar, restaurant, meeting rooms and spa balance comfort, function and durability. Access to thermal water gave the spa an unexpected dimension in an industrial area. It was one of the studio's first Hilton-branded projects, and I led the design. See the DoubleTree by Hilton Tuzla project.

Crowne Plaza Laleli Harikzedegan (2008). The Harikzedegan (Tayyare) Apartments designed by architect Kemaleddin Bey, one of Istanbul's first reinforced-concrete housing projects. During the restoration and hotel conversion I worked as a junior designer at the centre of the design, from the measured survey to 3D massing models. See the Crowne Plaza Laleli project.

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Hotel Interior Architecture: City Hotels, Conversions and Chain Brands

In Istanbul the real challenge of a hotel project is usually the process, not the space. Brand standards, operator expectations, investor budget and municipal approval meet at the same table and often contradict each other. The interior architect's contribution is to spot the conflict early and fix the design decision where all four parties can sign. Otherwise cost escapes control during construction.

City hotels: high room turnover, so finishes and upholstery are specified for short housekeeping cycles.
Building conversions: the existing structure, escape routes and service levels decide the room plan. See hotel design.
Chain brands: Hilton, Marriott and IHG design guidelines set mandatory criteria from room dimensions to lighting levels. See Hilton interior architect.

Westin hotel Nişantaşı — interior design

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Luxury Residential and Villa Interiors

Hotel discipline carries straight into residential work: durable materials, layered lighting and service spaces that work without being seen. I run the whole process, from concept design and construction documents to site supervision.

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Working with an İzmit-based Interior Architect in Istanbul

Much of the coordination runs online: drawings, material approvals and revisions are tracked digitally. At critical stages, such as the mock-up room approval and the start of construction, being on site is essential. On the Anatolian side these visits are easy to schedule; on the European side we plan regular site days around the project programme. For the wider region see interior architect in Kocaeli.

Westin hotel Nişantaşı king room — interior design

Westin hotel Nişantaşı living area — interior design

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you work on Istanbul projects from İzmit?

My office is in İzmit, and Istanbul's Anatolian side, especially Tuzla and Pendik, is part of my regular working area. Most coordination runs through online meetings and shared drawings; I am on site at critical stages such as surveys, mock-up room approval and the start of construction.

When should an interior architect join a hotel conversion?

Ideally at the feasibility stage, before the building is bought or leased. Structural grid, escape routes and wet-area levels decide how many rooms you get and how good they are.

Have you worked with chain hotel brand standards?

Yes. In Istanbul I worked on DoubleTree by Hilton Tuzla (Hilton), The Westin Istanbul Nişantaşı (Marriott) and Crowne Plaza Laleli (IHG), and with the Hilton family in Afyonkarahisar, Antalya, Bodrum and Erbil.

Is the first meeting free?

Yes. We review the space on site or from drawings and agree the brief and budget range together. A fixed-fee proposal follows once the scope is clear.

How long does design take?

Concept design typically runs 3–5 weeks and the construction package 4–8 weeks, extending with scope. Site supervision continues through construction.

Let's Talk About Your Project

The first consultation is free. Let us review the scope, budget and timeline of your project together.

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Murat Yuksel Interior Architecture
Şirintepe Mah. Şirin Sok. No:47/2A, İzmit / Kocaeli
+90 506 617 93 27 · murat@yukselmurat.com