written by Architect Sevcan Özbek

Residence life in North Cyprus started a few years ago, but it has continued to increase.

Of course, as is the case in many issues, this is also wrong: we can see structures with the name of residence but in fact they cannot provide residential services. In previous issues, we looked at the Lofts and Shopping Centers in Northern Cyprus, in this issue we will look closer at the residences in Northern Cyprus and examine what should be in the actual residence. 

The term residence refers to the term which means, ‘residence of ambassadors or similar high government officials’. Different from the types of housing we know, many services are provided to the owners of residence apartments such as hotels. Some of the services in the system, which generally appeal to people who live alone and who are busy, are reception, lobby, security, laundry, dry cleaning, cleaning, wakening, parking and shopping service. TV, internet, heating, all kinds of maintenance and repair services are indispensable, you do not need to deal with any bill. The invoices for the building management are billed separately by adding to the service charge. Residence types are mostly delivered to the owners with American kitchens and furnished. The fact that they are in a central position and that they embody a gym and pool is generally a well accepted rule. In architectural terms, the residence is located at the open-ended levels in terms of commercial / service conditions, providing minimum housing conditions. In other words, whilst it is not expected to have large square meterage, it is expected to provide the maximum service it can offer. Let’s take a look at the residence structures in our country.

AQUAMARINE LUXURY RESIDENCE

“I wanted to design a building that would be the symbol of Girne, in the centre of Girne. The idea in my mind from the beginning of the project was that of a waterfall that is associated with the sea and the swimming pools located on the top floors – both of these ideas were implemented. For the first time the swimming pools were put, not on the basement floor, but on the third floor.” say builder and architect Redif Nurel.

MAGIC RESIDENCE

Civil Engineer and the project builder Mehmet Eminoğlu’s definition is as follows: “It is a self-sufficient, technological and high-quality building that provides services, social facilities and security for the residents. Living in the residence is an understanding of life. Throughout the world, residences that have become the lifestyle of the modern era have no limit in their service offered. Magic Residence is looking for ways to make your life easier in the day to day rush of life. You have a place where you can reach home in a short time. A 24/7 lifestyle with sports, fun, friends, shopping for those who do not want to make a concession and offer a unique way of life.”

VIAPARK RESIDENCE

“The Viapark Residence was designed with the motto, -What a Residence!-, it has become the best example of a residential property in Famagusta – we might even say in the whole of Cyprus. Together with its architecture, the quality of construction and its decoration and social facilities, the Viapark Residence has become the first residence in Famagusta to offer five-star, hotel style comfort.” say architect Ceren Sabancı.

GOLDEN RESIDENCE

“Famagusta city meets with Golden Residence. Offering you indoor & outdoor swimming pool, spa and fitness center and much more. With it’s perfect location and sea view you can rediscover the city with Golden Residence!” says Döveç Group with this project, At the Propertync Awards 2019 it was awarded with Best Residential Development (Gold).

MAGIC PLUS

“Magic Plus comes out of a conceptual design that blends the proprietary geometry, triangular land, sea views and the vision of the investment company. Approaching the design of an iconic building, the established aims included having gardens on all floors at a micro level and to have an atrium, lobby, cinema, hairdresser, indoor swimming pool and spa center, indoor two-storey car park – all of which aim to provide a real residential comfort. We have included the Mediterranean symbols – architectural pergolas of semi-open space with shade which were constructed on a large scale; the design of the building was created in a way that allows a north west breeze to reach all the way from the north west terraces to the atrium. The winner of three platinum awards in different categories at the 2016 Propertync Awards, it is already among the iconic buildings of Girne.” says M. Arch PhD Fevzi Özersay.