İstanbul
Süreyya Opera House
The historic Süreyya Building in Kadıköy reintroduced itself to the world of art as the Kadıköy Municipality Süreyya Opera House on 27 October 2007. Originally constructed in 1927 by Süreyya İlmen Pasha as an opera, theatre, and cinema hall, the building served as a cinema for many years. Through the meticulous restoration efforts of the Kadıköy Municipality, the Süreyya Building transformed back into an opera stage after 80 years and became one of Istanbul's significant cultural centres.
Süreyya Pasha designed the building not only for use as a cinema but also with the intention of contributing to the cultural life of Kadıköy. Inspired by renowned theatre and opera houses in Europe, he constructed both the interior and exterior spaces of the building to the highest aesthetic and functional standards. However, due to the circumstances of the time, opera performances were never held. For many years, the building operated as the Süreyya Cinema.
By restoring the Süreyya Building, the Kadıköy Municipality transformed it into a structure that, while preserving its historical essence, meets the demands of modern opera stages. The restoration works included technical elements such as earthquake and fire safety, as well as the meticulous repair of historic frescoes and sculptures. Following this comprehensive restoration process, the Süreyya Opera House was reopened in 2007 and continues to host art enthusiasts today.