CNN explores the magic of Istanbul after the sun sets, where ancient streets come alive with a vibrant symphony of sounds and sights, from bustling rooftop bars to intimate jazz clubs.
Founded in 2011 by Bünyamin Aydin, Istanbul-based lifestyle brand Les Benjamins has become renowned for its luxury take on streetwear and expansive collections which bridge a cultural gap between the Middle East and the West. Born and raised in Germany before relocating to Istanbul, Turkey aged 12 years old, founder and creative director Aydin continues to incorporate a cultural exchange throughout a broadening artistic platform at Les Benjamins. Alongside fashion design Aydin is an avid photographer, music curator and DJ, promoting and platforming exciting artists in the Turkish city. This month the interdisciplinary talent curated together with the music collective Selectist a special event at the Frankhan venue in Istanbul, creative directing an entire evening headlined by the legendary Yasiin Bey (who was dressed by Les Benjamins for the night) and with guest performances by artists Sam, and Habibi Funk.
We’re excited to introduce the guests for the first live event of Selectist’s new series, ”Tastemaking”, supported by Porsche. Joining us are Ulaş Durmaz, the 2024 winner of the Michelin Guide Turkey Young Chef Award, and the incredibly talented musician Cenk Esen.
Select-ist ‘s new series Selectronic is preparing to host a name that truly lives up to the term living legend at its first meeting to be held at Frankhan on December 1st : Kevin Saunderson, one of the pioneering figures of the techno movement that has become synonymous with the city, from Detroit’s famous The Belleville Three. Another name we will be listening to on the same night is the New Zealand house producer brothers Chaos In The CBD.
Frankhan, an old Levantine building from the beginning of the century located in the port area of Karaköy, was reconsidered and transformed into an event venue in collaboration with Teğet Architecture and Novos Architecture.
Selectist in collaboration with Black Focus Records. Figures of Sound with Kamaal Williams, Peezy, Quinn Mason and Cenk Esen. Recorded Live at Frankhan on June 3, 2023 Directed and Edited by Ali Kanibelli
There hasn’t been a venue like this in Istanbul for a long time. Frankhan, which opened in Karaköy, filled a big gap.
Quietly, we have a performance center. I say quietly, because before the venue opened, we started to see on Instagram accounts that world-renowned and well-known musicians were coming to Istanbul and would even play at Frankhan, we started to see the posts of concert-goers on social media. As a result, a great performance center has come to the city, and even to Karaköy, its name is Frankhan.
The building is fascinating. You enter a completely different world by passing through a small gap. I am talking about a gap in Karaköy that we have probably passed by a thousand times without noticing. A building from the days when trade was accelerated with ship traffic on the shores of Galata in the 19th century, which has hosted shipping agencies and suppliers’ offices over time. It takes its name from its first owners, the Frenkyan family. The building, which has been vacant for the last 10-12 years, is reopening its doors for renovation after Birol Tunç, the investor of the venue, wanted to bring it to light with the completion of Frankhan, Galataport.
Created as a brand new music performance space in Karaköy, Frankhan brings together music lovers with beloved names with the “Friends of Frankhan” performance series throughout April .
Frankhan is an old Levantine building from the beginning of the 20th century, located in the harbor area of Karaköy. The building, built during the intense maritime trade, was used for the accommodation of merchants and representatives. It consists of two buildings, just like another Teğet project Sağlıkhan (Karaköy Güllüoğlu Building) right next to it. First building is the multi-storey office block facing Kemankeş Street. The second is the stone hangar building, which extends 56 meters to the back of the parcel and is entered from a dead end.
