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Exterior restoration of the Haydarpasa Railway Station, one of Istanbul's most recognizable landmarks, has largely been completed, new drone footage shows. Work has now shifted toward landscaping, ground reinforcement and the waterfront areas around the historic building.
Opened in 1908, the station was one of the main transport gateways linking Istanbul with Anatolia, the Asian heartland of Türkiye. The building entered a long restoration process after a fire broke out in 2010, leaving one of the city's best-known railway structures in need of extensive repair.
The latest aerial images show that the heavy structural work and exterior renewal have been largely carried out. The stonework on the seaward facade, the towers and the roof covering appear to be close to completion, bringing the station's historic silhouette back into view.
As part of the restoration, damaged stones were replaced with original materials where possible. The Culture and Tourism Ministry had previously said that some old stone quarries were reopened so original stones could be used again, while special stones suitable for the historic texture were used in other parts of the building.
The construction machinery seen in the footage suggests that current work is now focused less on the main structure and more on landscaping, ground reinforcement and coastal areas. The images also underline Haydarpasa's longstanding relationship with the sea, while pointing to plans to open up the waterfront for public use after the restoration.
The project aims to preserve the station's original architecture while bringing the building into a new phase. With a planned library, a museum, and archaeopark areas, Haydarpasa is expected to become not only a transport hub but also one of the key cultural centers on Istanbul's Asian side.
Under the project led by the Culture and Tourism Ministry, Haydarpasa's main building will keep its transport function. At the same time, its waiting halls and some other sections are planned to be used as exhibition spaces.
The wider station site is expected to include an archaeology museum of about 10,000 square meters, an archeopark, digital museum sections, a library complex and large event areas.
According to experts, once completed, Haydarpasa is expected to become a rare example of a historic site that merges rail transport, culture, and the arts while preserving its original identity.
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