Arkas Art Alsancak was founded with the vision of Lucien Arkas, Chairman of Arkas Holding, to share the Arkas Collection, shaped by his personal passion for art and professional approach, with art lovers.

Built in 1906 and regarded as one of İzmir’s finest architectural landmarks of its era, the historic French Consulate building now serves as the Honorary Consulate of France. The French Government granted Arkas Holding the use of its seafront section for cultural and artistic purposes for a period of 20 years. Following a year-long restoration, the building opened as Arkas Art Center in November 2011.

The two-story historic building has been transformed into a modern art center featuring 10 exhibition rooms and state-of-the-art facilities. Beyond preserving an important part of İzmir’s architectural heritage, Arkas Art Center stands out as the city’s first art center to showcase works by international artists alongside collections from prestigious museums and institutions.

Arkas Art Center aims to contribute to the artistic and cultural life of Türkiye, particularly İzmir, share İzmir’s cultural identity with the international art community, and foster a love of art among people of all ages.

Architectural History

The French Consulate originally consisted of two buildings constructed between 1825 and 1835 within a large garden situated between the waterfront and Mecidiye Street. Following the earthquake of 1852, a new building was designed by the Parisian architect Edmond Renaud. However, this building was subsequently damaged by the fire of 1866 and the earthquake of 1880. By the early twentieth century, the French administration commissioned architect Emmanuel Pontremoli to design a new consulate building. Completed in 1906, Pontremoli’s design was positioned close to the shoreline.

While many buildings along the Kordon were destroyed in the Great Fire of 1922, the stone-built French Consulate survived. The restoration of the building’s damaged wooden elements, including the staircase and flooring, began under the direction of Raymond Pere, the architect of the İzmir Clock Tower, and continued until 1929. The seafront section of the building served as the residence and reception rooms, while the street-facing section housed the consular offices. The building functioned as the French Consulate General in İzmir until September 1983 and has served as the Honorary Consulate of France since May 1984.

One of the few historic buildings in İzmir to have survived to the present day, the French Consulate Building was restored by Arkas Holding in October 2010, with the aim of transforming its seafront wing into the Arkas Art Center. Following approximately eight months of restoration work, the building was fully insulated; its electrical, plumbing, security systems, and wooden elements were renewed; and its exterior façade was cleaned. As a result, the seafront section of the building, supported by a strong modern infrastructure, was transformed into a contemporary, fully equipped art center.

Opening its doors to visitors in November 2011, the Arkas Art Center continues to share İzmir’s cultural identity with the international art world through its major exhibitions.