Çankaya Mansion

Çankaya Mansion
Çankaya Köşkü
Facade of the Çankaya Mansion
General information
Status	Residence of the Premier
Architectural style	Traditional Turkish
Address	Çankaya Neighborhood, Çankaya Street, Çankaya District, Ankara, 06550
Coordinates	39°53′21″N 32°51′52″E / 39.88917°N 32.86444°E / 39.88917; 32.86444
Current tenants	Binali Yıldırım, Premier of the Turkish Republic
Completed	1932
Technical details
Size	438 Acres
Design and construction
Architect	Clemens Holzmeister

The Çankaya Mansion is the residence of the Premiership of Turkey and until 2014 was the official residence of the Presidency. It is located in the Çankaya district of Ankara, which lends its name to the palace. The Çankaya Campus is home to several buildings including the mansion and stretches over 438 acres of land with its unique place in the history of the Turkish Republic. The Çankaya Campus houses Atatürk's Museum Mansion, the Çankaya Mansion, the office of the Chief Aide-de-Camp, the Glass Mansion, State Supervision Council, the Financial Affairs and Preservation Directorate buildings, Press Conference Hall, Reception Halls, Fire Department Building, Social Facility, Garage, Greenhouse, Artificial Turf Sports Area, Tennis Court and Employee Lodgings.

The land upon which the Çankaya Mansion now stands was a vineyard that belonged to Ohannes Kasabian, an Armenian jeweller and merchant. The vineyard and house were confiscated by the Bulgurluzâde family after the Kasabian family fled Ankara to escape the Armenian Genocide and settled in Constantinople. When Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who would later become the first president of the Republic of Turkey, saw the building in 1921, he took a strong liking to the property and bought it from Bulgurluzâde Tevfik Efendi for 4500 Liras. When he initially arrived in Ankara in 1919, Atatürk settled in the Ankara School of Agriculture. Following his election as Speaker of the Grand National Assembly on 23 April, 1920, he moved into a stone house at the railway station, which was once station master's lodge, known as the Direction House. In early June 1921, Atatürk settled in the vineyard lodge, which, after repairs, became known as the Çankaya Mansion.

In 1924, architect Mehmet Vedat Bey undertook some renovations on the Kasabian Mansion, including adding a second floor for new bedrooms, a framed window entrance at the front, a pantry and kitchen at the rear, and a tower onto the side. In 1926, a central heating system was added. This Mansion became Mareşal Atatürk's home until he moved to the new Çankaya Mansion in June 1932. The building was then named "Army House" after Atatürk transferred it to the Turkish Army. The Mansion has held a very important place in the history of the Republic. In 1950, after some renovations, it was opened as a museum for public access. In 1986, major restoration works were completed. Since then, a conservation programme has been implemented to preserve the Mansion in its original form, with all its original fittings and furniture. The building lacks the opulence of a large palace and is unpretentious, yet styled and designed for practical use. It served as Commander-in-chief Atatürk's headquarters during the National Campaign and the years of westernizing transformations and reforms. Having witnessed to a number of defining moments at a time when the War of Independence was fought and the Republic was founded, today, it is carefully preserved as a tribute to Atatürk's memory.