Positioned beneath the viaduct at Söğütlüçeşme, one of Istanbul’s busiest transit intersections, 7DE7 is more than a food hall, it is a new cultural and social nucleus for the city. Designed by Autoban as part of the wider Söğütlüçeşme Terminal development, the project transforms a challenging urban void into a vibrant, open marketplace that fuses culinary experience with public life.
Inspired by the grand European mercados of Lisbon, Barcelona and London, and grounded in Istanbul’s own street culture, the design invites movement, spontaneity and connection. A network of over 21 food and beverage kiosks unfolds within a richly textured, street-like environment, complete with overhead lighting structures, layered materials, and modular counter systems. The result is an architecture of rhythm and encounter, balancing individual identity with collective coherence.
At its core, 7DE7 is about turning transit into experience. From kitchens clad in tactile ceramics and steel to seating clusters reminiscent of city alcoves, every detail speaks to craft, comfort and informality. The design adapts to both everyday use and large-scale events, with wide circulation zones, open-air seating, a dedicated performance stage, and what is set to become the world’s largest sports bar.
Set within a total 16,000 m² dedicated to food and culture, the project also includes a cultural venue for up to 1,500 people, extending the food hall’s role from leisure space to urban stage. Whether stopping for a meal, attending a concert, or simply passing through, visitors experience a layered, sensory environment that feels distinctly of the city, yet open to new rhythms.
With 7DE7, Autoban introduces a new benchmark for transit-oriented public space in Istanbul: one that is social, textured, and deeply human.
Client: Akfen GYO
