A large fire in Istanbul in 1918 extended to a very large area and burned down many houses particularly in Cibali, Altınmermer and Fatih.  After the fire, building of houses for those victims of the fire were planned and Architect Kemallettin Bey was assigned for this job  in order to build these houses in Laleli. Donations were collected through a council headed by Manizade Hacı Hüseyin Efendi and building of “Harikzedegân Apartments” was decided.

The building of the apartments designed as four blocks, each with 6 flats including a total number of 124 flats, was completed in 1922. These new buildings attracted everyone’s attention. Each had a seperate coal cellar, laundry, flats with three-five rooms, upstairs, balconies, closed terraces and all these attracted the people of Istanbul. However, Harikzedegân Apartments were not given to the victims of the fire but transfered to THK (Turkish Aeuranautical Association) and then, was renamed as “Tayyare Apartments”. These are the first buildings in Istanbul constructed with reinforced concrete skeleton frame. In addition, they are the first apartments in historical peninsula. The building, which was used as apartment between 1922-1985, was transferred to a company as of 1985 and started to operate as Merik Antique Hotel. Later, it was transferred to Naz Giyim and since 2006, it has been serving as Crowne Plaza Old City, a 5-star hotel.