Aslantepe Türk Telekom Stadyumu

Infobox Stadium
stadium_name = Telekom Arena
nickname = Ali Sami Yen Hell


fullname = Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi Telekom Arena
location = Istanbul
coordinates =
broke_ground = 2007
built =
opened = October 2009
surface =
owner = Galatasaray SK
construction_cost = 195.000.000 €
architect = Mete Arat(asp)
contractor = Eren Talu-ALKE, Crescents Heights
tenants = Galatasaray S.K.
seating_capacity = 52,647
dimensions = * [http://galeri.aslantepe.biz/v/Stadyum/mesafeler.jpg.html Project]

Telekom Arena is a new multi-use stadium in Istanbul, Turkey, which is currently under construction. When completed, it will be the new home ground for the Turkish Giant Galatasaray S.K., replacing old Ali Sami Yen Stadium. The stadium will have a capacity of 52,647 people. The stadium will be the first part of Ali Sami Yen Sports Complex at Aslantepe, Şişli.

The naming rights to the stadium has been sold to Turk Telekom for 10 years. The stadium is expected to be available starting 2009-2010 league season, under the name of Telekom Arena.

History

In recent years, numerous proposals have been put forward to demolish the current stadium and build a larger one on the same location, but this is impossible due to the lack of space. Finally, the club's ground, Ali Sami Yen Stadyumu, is going to be replaced with a new ground near Maslak financial district. The former name of the district, "Seyrantepe", has been changed to "Aslantepe" (Lion Hill) after Galatasaray purchased the ground; "Aslan" (Lion) being Galatasaray's symbol. The idea is to realize a stadium on the model of the Veltins Arena in Schalke district of Gelsenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, and will be completed in 584 days. The stadium features a retractable roof – the first of its kind in Turkey. The design team headed by 'asp' Architekten Stuttgart combines the engineering expertise of the renowned firms of Obermeyer Planen+Beraten (Munich), Schlaich – Bergermann and Partner (Stuttgart) and Yüksel Proje (Ankara).

Auction process

Galatasaray have co-operated with TOKİ (one of the biggest construction organization of Turkey, budgeted by the Turkish Government). On 19 July 2007, TOKİ announced the auction for the multi-purpose sports complex which will be built at Aslantepe, the field of which Galatasaray Sports Club possesses the all rights for a period of 49 years.

Among the 4 companies that proposed, the best offer was suggested by Eren Talu Architecture – ALKE Partnership. Contract of the tender held for the construction of Galatasaray's new stadium was signed between TOKİ and Eren Talu-ALKE consortium on 23 October 2007. [ [http://www.galatasaray.org/english/detail.asp?PID=1160&HID=2&haberID=301015 NEWS - Aslantepe Adjudication was Realized - 31.08.2007 17:40:00 ] ]

Groundbreaking ceremony

As of 14 December 2007, the construction has officially started after a showy reception where the club board, some players, the minister of sports of Turkey and many other ministers attended. In the ceremony, then President Özhan Canaydın stated, in summary, the following: "Turkish World of Sports will gain another big facility with the Ali Sami Yen Sports Complex and we've gathered here to celebrate its groundbreaking ceremony. This work, which will be a value add to Istanbul and Turkey along with Turkish Sports, will also serve as an honorable monument that will signify the advanced position Turkish Sports has achieved and the phases it has passed through." [ [http://www.galatasaray.org/english/detail.asp?PID=1160&HID=1&haberID=302796 NEWS - And the first piece of sod was turned in Aslantepe… - 14.12.2007 13:40:00 ] ]

Site and layout

Contract of the tender, realized by TOKİ and known as "Aslantepe tender" in the public opinion, which covers the construction of a multi purpose sports complex with 52,647 spectator capacity, comprising of a retractable-roof and a parking lot for 3.000 cars, on Aslantepe (formerly known as Seyrantepe) premises in return for building "Urban Social Infrastructure Areas" on 34.640 sq meters of land on which Ali Sami Yen Stadium is located. There are also plans for building a shopping mall, 15,500 seated Arena and residential units such as Cinemas as part of the Aslantepe Ali Sami Yen Sports Complex. [ [http://www.gmtr.com.tr/index.php?action=displayNewsItem&ID=4783&_month=7&_year=2007 Gayrimenkul Türkiye - Contract of Seyrantepe Tender was signed ] ]

There is a period of 720 days for the construction of the stadium that will be built on Aslantepe (formerly known as Seyrantepe) premises and will be handed over to Galatasaray Sports Club by Youth and Sports Directorate for 49 years. [ [http://www.gmtr.com.tr/index.php?action=displayNewsItem&ID=4556 Gayrimenkul Türkiye - Eren Talu –Alke won the “Seyrantepe tender” ] ]

Notes

External links

* [http://www.newalisamiyen.com The Unofficial Homepage of Aslantepe Stadium]
* [http://www.galatasaray.org/aslantepe/ Club information on new stadium]
* [http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_menu/past_future/pictures/future_stadiums/istanbul_yen.shtml Design of stadium]
* [http://wowturkey.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=23651 Construction Photos]
* [http://www.arkitera.com/proje_175_asp-architektenden-galatasaray-spor-kulubu-seyrantepe-stadyumu-onerisi.html?year=&aID=1366 Project Photos - ASP]