Cyprus, Paradise Island, is famous with its detached houses; single storey, with the garden and even with sea view if possible. However, the cycle has changed, the island has become crowded, detached houses have decreased, building complexes and apartments have grown. The apartment complexes have reached the standard of residence and now they begin to pierce the sky. We have talked to Hasan Cantaş, Civil Engineer of Northernland, who built the tallest high-rise building in Northern Cyprus.

Due to the increasing population of the island, communal living areas are being built on limited spaces of land.

• The complex consists of 24 floors, 80 meters, 314 apartments and 18 commercial units beneath the building. The construction sector in the universal scale sees much more of course, but you are the first in North Cyprus who built the tallest high-rise building. Permission to build high-rise properties does not exist all over the island, varying floor allowances and different storeys, however there is a region that does not want to see high-rise buildings anywhere on the island. What is your defense in this matter, how do you defend the high-rise buildings, how would you explain it?

All of our projects are shaped within the framework of the development plans, by the relevant Ministry throughout the country by the cities and innovations brought by the developing world. In addition, the other issue that we are paying attention to, is the protection of the environment and use it efficiently by building communal living areas on limited land due to the increasing population in recent years.

• The construction is still in progress, recently you were on the 15th floor. Is there a stage that you had difficulty on, from the foundation to the point where you are now, or was building the 4th or and 24th floors the same?

Of course, during the construction process all necessary materials for the high-rise building are implemented depending on the work schedule and reports made by our project department. The security phenomenon becomes more important as our residence rises from the ground. In this context, our company provides a highly secure working environment with methods that closely keep up with the technology and the construction site workers.

• Your company Director, Mr.. Koral is also an architect and is constructing eye catching buildings. Along with your architectural team, what was the hardest part of drawing the plans of the islands tallest building?

For such a special and first project of this nature in our country, a large project team works day and night. Because our company director Mr.. Koral is also an architect, he follows the crowded team very closely and directs them, so we are getting good results. Due to the magnitude of the project, even if the necessary permits are taken gradually and detailed project calculations have sometimes forced our work, we are happy to implement our plans and stick to our program.

• Can we learn your education background and experiences? Are you spending more time at the construction site or in the office?

I graduated from the Department of Civil Engineering at Eastern Mediterranean University. Then I started to work as an engineer, where I also did an internship. In the beginning, I was mostly working in the construction site, in recent years I have been doing drawings and calculations in the project department. As an engineer, my duties and responsibilities are, if necessary work in the construction site to check the work, if necessary project drawings and accounts to deliver on time, regardless of working hours.

• When do you plan to go up to 80 meters? Did you fit into the schedule that you originally planned?

If the climate conditions allow for 80 meters, we are planning to reach it in January 2019, as planned. From the very beginning, we have mostly aligned with our work schedule and plans. Of course, the process has fell behind the program periodically, but then accelerated and stuck to the plans. For this reason, we are now in line with our first schedule.

• Do you go upstairs and enjoy a view after each floor? After all when it’s completed, it will be the tallest high-rise building of the country. Do you have plans for the roof terrace?

As the structure rises, watching the view of our beautiful city gives incredible pleasure. We look forward to the final outcome of our Northernland Premier project, which will be the tallest high-rise building of the country, because we’re dreaming of watching the city from the top floor with the team.

• In your busy schedule, you have given your time to Propertync, thank you very much for a pleasant chat. Finally, let us ask you: What should we expect from Northernland, who inspire the sector with raising buildings and opening the horizon of the island’s people with every project?

Since establishing in the year 2003, we have backgrounds within the building environment-friendly, high class and high value architectural living areas. Therefore, our company will undoubtedly continue to implement projects in line with this vision in the future.