Hatay State Assembly Building, Government building in Cumhuriyet Square, Antakya, Turkey.
The Hatay State Assembly Building is a two-story administrative structure in Antakya designed by French architect Leon Benju in 1927, featuring characteristic early twentieth-century architectural elements in its facade and interior. The design reflects architectural styles common during that period in the region.
The building was originally constructed in 1927 as Empire Cinema, serving as the first sound film theater in the region, before becoming the home of Hatay State's legislative assembly until Turkey's annexation in 1939.
The building served as a place where local decisions were made after leaving behind its entertainment role, representing the city's shift from a cultural gathering space to a seat of governance.
The site is currently not accessible to visitors as the building was completely destroyed in a 2023 earthquake and is undergoing reconstruction. Planned restoration work is expected to take several years before the structure can be visited again.
The building started its life as a cinema and became a gathering place for the emerging film culture of the region during the 1920s. This dual role as both an entertainment venue and later as an administrative center reflects how the city transformed across decades.
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