Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk blamed for burglary in sealed Istanbul building

A break-in at the Taray Apartment in Cihangir—where Nobel Prize-winning author Orhan Pamuk owns eight units—has triggered public criticism and renewed tension with his neighbors.

The burglary targeted the flat of Izzeddin Calislar, a writer and grandson of General Izzettin Pasa, one of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk’s (founder of the Turkish Republic) trusted commanders during the War of Independence.

Valuable family heirlooms stolen as building remained sealed

Calislar shared the news on social media, explaining that burglars entered the building after authorities had cut off electricity, gas, and water because of an ongoing legal dispute over its demolition.

He said they broke into his sealed apartment and another unit on the same floor and blamed the “greediness” of his neighbor for this incident, referring to Orhan Pamuk‘s legal actions regarding the apartment building.

Calislar wrote: “Due to a neighbor’s greed for property, a burglar entered our sealed home. My grandfather E. Org. Izzettin Pasa’s personal belongings, my grandmother’s silver dinner sets, some metal pieces I collected for the Galatasaray Museum, and my Galatasaray Distinguished Service award with no monetary value were stolen.”

He called on antique dealers, collectors, and second-hand bookshops to help recover the items if they come across any of them. “If any of you suspect you may have come across them, I would like to buy them back,” he said.

Calislar emphasized that his apartment had been sealed against his will and said the court process left their possessions unguarded. “We reported the robbery, but the first thing they asked was whether there was a laptop or iPhone in the house,” he said, expressing his frustration over how authorities assessed the crime.

Orhan Pamuk bought more units in apartment building for new museum

The apartment building, built in 1972 by engineer Cetin Taray’s father, includes 18 flats. Pamuk previously owned six but bought two more units during the ongoing court case, increasing his stake to eight. While other owners submitted expert reports recommending structural reinforcement, Pamuk pushed for demolition and redevelopment. He asked the court to lift the injunction that protected the building from demolition.

Cetin Taray, a structural engineer and son of the building’s original constructor, told Hurriyet that Pamuk shared his plans to turn the entire building into a museum. “Orhan Bey wants to demolish the building and buy out owners who cannot afford renovation. His goal is to convert the building into an Orhan Pamuk museum—he told me that directly,” said Taray.

He also stated that their team submitted reports from two Istanbul Technical University departments confirming that the building was not at risk of collapse and could be safely reinforced instead.

The proposed demolition, according to Taray, could even pose a risk to nearby Cihangir Mosque. The municipality received a strengthening project based on these technical findings.

Despite these efforts, authorities sealed the building after an inspection, cutting off power. Without electricity, the alarm systems stopped functioning, which allowed intruders to enter and steal from the property.

Pamuk suffered burglary at his Cihangir home in 2014

This is not the first time a burglary occurred at a property associated with Pamuk. In July 2014, thieves broke into his Cihangir residence during his absence.

When he returned from a holiday, he found the door broken and noticed that a laptop and camera had been taken. He reported the incident to the police, who reviewed nearby CCTV footage and identified two suspects.

No further details emerged about the resolution of that case, but the current situation carries a different weight due to the building’s status and legal entanglements.

Residents remain divided over demolition while security concerns grow

The recent robbery deepens the disagreement between Orhan Pamuk and the other apartment owners. While the Nobel laureate continues to advocate for a full-scale redevelopment, other residents insist that reinforcement would preserve the building’s historical character and avoid displacing longtime homeowners.

The burglary has also raised concerns about the safety of sealed buildings left without power, especially when legal proceedings delay action for months. The lack of lighting, alarms, and basic services makes them easy targets for criminals.

Pamuk has not released a public statement about the burglary or his neighbor’s accusations.