İzmir Opera House Project to Resume in Two Stages
The opera house project, whose foundations were laid in Karşıyaka Mavişehir and which was later liquidated, is being brought back to life with updated plans.
The İzmir Opera House project, whose foundations were laid in Karşıyaka Mavişehir by the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality in 2018 but liquidated in 2023, is being restarted in two stages under the leadership of Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay.
Restarting the Project
The İzmir Metropolitan Municipality has updated the project for the building, which was designed as a center dedicated to the art of opera and whose foundations were laid in 2018. The process to complete the project, which will rank among Turkey's select art centers, has been restarted under the leadership of İzmir Metropolitan Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay.
Details of the First Stage
The open section of the Opera House was designed to cover an area of approximately 39,000 square meters. Enclosed structures with a construction area of approximately 6,000 square meters, including a green-roofed parking lot and technical sections, were planned.
The landscaping area includes an open-air stage with a 400-square-meter stage and a seating capacity of approximately 2,000 people, an ornamental pool, a relaxation courtyard, a botanical garden, and a cafeteria.
Scope of the Second Stage
The second stage of the project features the Opera House with a construction area of approximately 67,000 square meters. In this context, a main hall with a capacity of 1,435 people, a small hall with a capacity of 437 spectators, rehearsal rooms, and a courtyard-open performance area with a capacity of 350 spectators are planned.
Budget and Appropriation Planning
İzmir Metropolitan Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay had stated in the January assembly meeting that an appropriation of 1 billion 938 million liras was allocated under capital expenditures in the 2026 budget.
Past Process and Ministerial Approvals
The project, construction of which began in 2018, was liquidated in 2023. Pursuant to the circular on Austerity Measures, the necessary approvals were obtained from the ministry for the 1st stage on January 16, 2026, and for the 2nd stage on March 3, 2026.