Only for their own: what is a “club house” in Turkey and why successful foreigners are so eager to come here

In June 2022 alone, foreigners purchased 8630 residential properties in Turkey (+81.8% year-on-year), of which a record 1887 transactions were concluded by Russian citizens (back in May there were 1275 units). For temporary or permanent residence in the Republic of Turkey, they leave not just families, but entire offices and even corporations – including employees and their households. And they often settle all together, choosing the format of a “club house”, closed to outsiders.

“Clubhouse” – what are its advantages?
A “club” is a residential complex where only people who have passed a rigorous selection and meet certain criteria can settle, including high wealth, status, belonging to the same company, etc. That is, this is a kind of club closed to outsiders, for which residents are willing to pay extra – confidentiality is also a “product”.

“Club” houses can be divided into two types – built by order of a certain “club” or erected by the developer to his strict standards. In the first embodiment, this is usually a large order from a company or corporation, or simply from several work colleagues who buy out the entire apartment building at once for their needs and needs.

The second option is more interesting – there are special developer companies that specialize in the construction of elite residential complexes for “ideal” tenants. No one from the outside will be able to buy housing there, and everyone who wants to go through a rigorous selection from the developer so that only worthy people with high status are in the complex.

Thus, for example, politicians, top officials and top managers settle with their families. The issue is not only elitism and status, but also security, as well as confidentiality – the peace of their families should be under reliable protection, and their personal lives should not become public.

Welcome to the club!
This format of closed complexes in the West has existed for a long time, but in recent years it has become increasingly popular in Turkey. Simply because it is beginning to be used not only by the “cream of society”, but also by the same IT specialists, businessmen of lower rank, etc. – i.e. Such housing is still premium, but already more affordable for representatives of one company or even just one profession.

It is interesting how residents are selected for gated complexes. If this is not a single corporate project, where the lists of residents are known in advance, then be sure that the check will be tough. First of all, of course, they check the level of prosperity and solvency of the client. If the income is lower than the stated criteria, then the “club” will not be accepted.

Even psychologists can be involved in the interview, the purpose of which is to assess the “adequacy” of the future client – so that he does not suddenly turn out to be an alcoholic, a parasite, a rowdy and further down the list. If you are a judge, then you clearly do not want to be a neighbor of a crime boss … For this reason, customers are told in advance who their neighbors will be, not always naming names, but indicating their profession and status.

Plus, special attention is paid to the “psychological compatibility” of neighbors – temperament, rhythm of life, hobbies, bad or useful habits, etc. For example, one person is a wealthy entrepreneur who works remotely in a different time zone, and the other is a top official with four children and two dogs. The first gets up late, and the second very early, the first does not like animals, and the second loves, etc.

What are the other features of “club complexes”?
The first thing that immediately catches your eye is the low number of storeys of buildings and the European layout format. An elite club, by definition, cannot be large, which means that there will not be many tenants there. Often it is 20-40 apartments for one “club house”.

The second is a prestigious location. If you are building apartments for VIP clients, then you obviously will not build a house on the eviction or near the industrial zone. On the contrary, this place will be in a triangle between the sea, the business (or historical) center of the city and the transport highway. In Turkey, they are usually built on the first, less often on the second coastline, because further housing will most likely not be considered premium.

Further, such housing usually comes with a claim to uniqueness and originality. Often, the design of the complex reflects what characterizes the target audience. In addition, the residents themselves can influence both the style of the house, the interior design, and the layout at the design stage. For example, duplexes (semi-detached apartments) instead of ordinary apartments, private access to the parking lot and a personal elevator, etc.

Another feature of such closed complexes is their complete autonomy. So, it was in such “club houses” in Turkey that they were the first to install solar panels, gas boilers (for heating), etc. There may even be cafes, beauty salons, bank branches. Not to mention the usual swimming pools, hamams, gyms, parking lots, etc.

The last on the list, but the first most important feature of gated residential complexes is the maximum emphasis on security and privacy. We have already mentioned this, but it is necessary to clarify how this manifests itself in practice – a security point at the entrance, cameras in the corridor, a special access system (often with biometrics). No stranger will definitely enter here.

How to become a VIP?
It’s not easy to just enter an elite club in another country. It is not enough to meet strict criteria – it is also necessary to find such a complex itself at the construction stage (or better design), go to the administration until all the places are occupied, collect all the documentation, etc.

Without a proven guide who already (!) knows all the premium properties under construction in Turkey, the chances of success are slim. Only a confirmed state license serves as a guarantee that you will find a place in the elite society of Russian-speaking immigrants.

If your company is looking for an opportunity to buy out the entire residential complex or design it from scratch, then you can’t do without a broker. After all, it is necessary to choose a developer, location, help with the move to all future inhabitants of the “corporate” residential complex …

Remember that everything is in your hands – only you can reduce risks and increase the chances of success by choosing reliable partners and performers.