Hatay State Assembly Building

The two-story structure, designed by French architect Leon Benju in 1927, features characteristic early twentieth-century architectural elements in its facade and interior spaces.

Initially built as a movie theater called Empire Cinema, the building transformed into the legislative assembly of Hatay State before Turkey's annexation in 1939.

The structure marked several transitions in local identity, starting as the first sound film cinema in the region before becoming a center of political decision-making.

The Hatay Governorship acquired the building in 2019 and converted it into a cultural center, serving the community until its destruction in February 2023.

The building sustained complete destruction during the 7.8 magnitude earthquake of 2023, leading to current reconstruction plans by Foster + Partners.

Location: General Şükrü Kanatlı

Location: Antakya

Location: Hatay Province

Inception: 1927

GPS coordinates: 36.20297,36.16069

Latest update: March 13, 2025 12:27