The theater, built in 1955 on the remains of a 19th-century French prison with vaulted ceilings, was designed by architect Perran Doğancı. In 2012, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) decided to demolish and rebuild it on the grounds that it posed an earthquake risk. Following the completion of the restoration process, it reopened on September 25, 2026. The prison structure has been converted into an exhibition space.
From 1955 until the day it was demolished, stars of Turkish theater such as Muammer Karaca, Muhsin Ertuğrul, Adile Naşit, Münir Özkul, Gülriz Sururi, Renan Fosforoğlu, Selim Naşit Özcan, Yıldız Kenter, Müşfik Kenter, Şükran Güngör, Kâmran Yüce, Ali Poyrazoğlu, Lale Oraloğlu, and Genco Erkal—all stars of Turkish theater—performed on stage here.
Source: Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Culture Department
