Emek (movie theater)


Emek Movie Theater was a historical movie hall located in Beyoğlu district of İstanbul, Turkey.

History

The movie theater began construction in 1884 under the name of "Club des Chasseurs de Constantinople", and first opened its doors in 1924 under the name of Melek Sineması because of the Art Nouveau style angel figures on the screen. The inner walls and the top of the movie theater have the baroque and rococo style figures. The building has since been known under different names such as The Greek Gym of Strangali in 1909, then as “Nouveau Cirque”. In 1918 the building was known as "Yeni Tiyatro", and "Emek Cinema" in the 1940s. Latterly the building had been used as a skating palace.

Destruction

In 2010, plans were made to demolish the movie theater as part of a shopping mall construction. Several protests were organized to prevent the demolition from taking place.
In 2013, the building was completely demolished.