A Family,
A Way of Living
The story of Princes’ Palace Resort is inseparable from that of the Akdağ family, whose influence has shaped both industry and cultural patronage in Türkiye. At its foundation is Dr. Eng. Erdoğan M. Akdağ, a pioneering entrepreneur whose vision extended beyond business into education, healthcare and cultural preservation through the Erdoğan Akdağ Educational Foundation. Together with his wife Serpil, he cultivated a life centred on art, hospitality and gathering, values that continue to define the resort today. In tribute, EMA’s Dining Room carries his initials, honouring his appreciation for refined dining and meaningful conversation.
The Estate, Reawakened
After decades of silence, the Akdağ family reawakened the island estate, opening a new chapter for Büyükada. Conceived by Dr. Bahri Akdağ and guided by Daniela Giannetti of The Leading Hotels of the World and Ralf von Plettenberg, former CEO of Kempinski Hotels, Princes’ Palace Resort, together with the reconstruction of the Akdağ Grand Mansion, stands as one of the Eastern Mediterranean’s most carefully orchestrated heritage hospitality destinations, both exceptional and enduring.
The Years
That Shaped It
That Shaped It
1872
A private waterfront estate is established on Büyükada, overlooking the Marmara Sea.
1885
A grand seaside home rises, designed by architect Perikles Fotiadis and constructed by Yorgo Simota, set to become one of the island’s most iconic landmarks.
1908
Ownership passes to Mustafa Zeki Paşa, Chief of Artillery of the Ottoman Army, with the mansion standing among Büyükada’s most prominent properties.
1989
Designated a first-degree historic monument, the mansion is now a recognised landmark and a defining presence within Büyükada’s architectural and cultural landscape.
2016
Following the acquisition of the island estate, the Akdağ family initiates a meticulous restoration, bringing together a leading team of international experts to shape what will become Princes’ Palace Resort.
Under the direction of architect Nezih Tekinel, the reconstruction of the Akdağ Grand Mansion begins, with its proportions, materiality and context remaining faithful to the island’s architectural character. Interiors by Zeynep Fadıllıoğlu—internationally recognised for translating cultural heritage into contemporary design—bring together memory and modernity.
Conceived by Clint Nagata of BLINK Design Group, the resort takes shape as a seamless spatial journey, where architecture and interiors move fluidly from one space to the next. The landscape, designed by EDSA, is integral to the experience—gardens, pathways and open views woven into the island itself—while lighting, under the direction of Martin Klaassen of KLD, shapes atmosphere and reveals texture from day into night.
A Tribute to Büyükada’s Golden Age
Days once shaped by leisure have found their place again. Across the resort, the character of Büyükada endures, in its shaded gardens, its waterfront terraces and the iconic Akdağ Grand Mansion and its historic salons. What once defined island living has been carefully restored and reimagined for today.
Continuing the Legacy
Together with the next generation, the Akdağ family continues to shape Princes’ Palace Resort through a shared passion for art, gastronomy and hospitality. At its heart is Bahri Akdağ, whose vision transformed the estate, alongside his wife Sevgi, whose love for flowers and seasonal living is reflected in the gardens and in the way guests are welcomed.
Their son Berk brings a natural connection to the sea, shaping the resort’s yachting experiences and musical programming. Their daughter Mina introduces a contemporary perspective, her curatorial eye evident in the resort’s art collection, while her approach to wellbeing continues to shape the experiences at Anim Wellbeing.
