Greek consulate building returned to Orthodox Church foundation

The Foundations Assembly signed on to yet another historical ruling yesterday on the return of property that once belonged to minority communities. A landmark building located in Istanbul's popular Beyoğlu district, which has long operated as the Greek Consulate, was returned to its original owners the Ayayorgi (St. George) Greek Orthodox Church Foundation. The return of the property was facilitated through the Foundations General Directorate handing over its half share of the property. The Ayayorgi Greek Orthodox Church Foundation was delivered the good news during yesterday's meeting of the Foundations Assembly. During the meeting, the Assembly evaluated an application made for the return of the property as part of an initiative spearheaded by the government to ensure the reinstatement of property previously owned by Turkey's minority communities. The Assembly ruled in favor of the property's return and the iconic Greek Consulate building located in the heart of Beyoğlu, was returned to the Ayayorgi Greek Orthodox Church Foundation.

A HALF-SHARE TO EACH FOUNDATION

The 620 square-meter building situated on Kuloğlu Street in Beyoğlu, in fact belongs to two-parties. Although the Foundations General Directorate has returned their half-share of the property to the Greek Orthodox Church Foundation, the other half of the property still belongs to the Balıklı Greek Hospital Foundation. With the decision reached by the Foundation Assembly on Monday, the Foundation's General Directorate has handed over their half-ownership of the property to the Ayayorgi Greek Orthodox Church Foundation, while the Balıklı Greek Hospital Foundation has maintained their share of the building. As a result, both owning-parties of the historical building in Beyoğlu are now Greek foundations.

This is a translation of an article originally written by Burcu Çalık.