With careful restoration and adaptive reuse by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Heritage, the historic Sıra Dükkânlar around Süleymaniye Mosque have been brought to life as the “IMM Istanbul Design Museum.” These workshops, shops, and social spaces add value to the district as a vibrant production and events hub that brings together artisans, designers, and artists.

The IMM Istanbul Design Museum aims to showcase Istanbul's design potential with a focus on sustainability and creativity by blending traditional crafts with modern design.

The Sıra Dükkânlar, located immediately east of the Süleymaniye Mosque and Complex built by Architect Sinan on the orders of Suleiman the Magnificent between 1550 and 1557, originally consisted of 53 shops used for metal casting during the Ottoman era. These shops were designed to generate revenue for the foundation and hosted craft activities for many years. However, much of the original interior structure was lost during repairs in 1950.

Through IMM’s restoration, traditional Süleymaniye crafts—such as felt-making, stained glass, and quilting—have been revived, while the museum also features contemporary design disciplines such as lighting, furniture, jewelry, porcelain, graphic design, and architecture. Supported by workshops and social areas, the museum serves as an interactive cultural venue for both makers and visitors.

This transformation in the Süleymaniye area, supported by ongoing urban planning around the Mimar Sinan Tomb by IMM Heritage, aims to establish the district as a vibrant new hub for social life and Arts & Culture. Thus, Istanbul’s heritage of design and history will continue to blend with the present, offering visitors a unique experience.