Abdi İpekçi Street

Abdi İpekçi Street ( _tr. Abdi İpekçi Caddesi) is the premier shopping street of İstanbul, Turkey, located in the Şişli district. It stretches from Maçka neighborhood following Bayıldım Caddesi to Vali Konağı Caddesi in Nişantaşı neighborhood and crosses Operatör M. Kemal Öke Caddesi, Bronz Sokak, Atiye Sokak, Teşvikiye Bostanı Sokak, Eytam Caddesi, Altın Sokak and Profesör Doktor Feyzi Feyzioğlu Sokak on its length of around 700 m in northwest direction.

During the last decade, the street in the prestigious neighborhood developed to a place hosting luxury retail shopping venues. With monthly lease price of about $3500 m², it is currently the most expensive street for retail stores in Turkey. [ [http://www.sabah.com.tr/em/eml115-20061221-104.html Newspaper "Sabah" on December 21, 2006] tr icon] A variety of exclusive and expensive shops offering Turkish and international designer labels, restaurants of international cuisine and cafés are lined up on both sides of the street. Some of the more famous retailers include Anne Klein New York, Hugo Boss, Tod's, DKNY Jeans, Louis Vuitton, Marks & Spencer and Nine West together with many local designers that have gained fame abroad as well.

Naming

The street was renamed after Abdi İpekçi, the renowned journalist and the editor-in-chief of the major Turkish newspaper "Milliyet". İpekçi was murdered on February 1, 1979 in his car in front of his apartment residence in this street by Mehmet Ali Ağca, who later became famous for his failed assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II. A memorial near the place, where he was murdered, was revealed in 2000. [ [http://www.milliyet.com.tr/2000/01/31/haber/hab08a.html Newspaper "Milliyet" on January 31, 2000] tr icon]

New Year celebration

Open-air New Year's eve welcome in the decorated street is newly becoming traditional as an alternative to the celebration at the more crowded Taksim Square. [ [http://haber.mynet.com/detail_news/?type=Actuel&id=A010252D&date=01Ocak2007 My Net on January 1, 2007] tr icon]

ee also

* İstiklal Avenue
* Bağdat Avenue
* List of upscale shopping districts

References