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Pera House
Survey - Istanbul
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In the Tepebaşı district of Istanbul stood Pera House, a grand stone residence long associated with Britain’s presence in the city. Often likened to a miniature Buckingham Palace, it carried the dignity of diplomacy expressed through architecture. The original building, completed in 1803, had been lost to the devastating fire of 1831 that swept through much of Pera. In its wake, British officials resolved to rebuild, not in timber, but in solid stone, adopting a neo-Renaissance style intended to project permanence and resilience.
Nearly two centuries later, that decision had proven prescient. The building still stood, but time, weather, and seismic risk demanded renewed scrutiny.
Client
British Embassy Constantinople, Pera House
Dates
Until 2023
Location
Istanbul
Surveying Under a Relentless Sky
DBR Conservation was commissioned by AECOM to undertake a detailed condition survey as part of a wider structural and preventative maintenance programme. The survey team, Adrian Attwood ACR and Rory Smith MSc, worked alongside MEWP operator Dan Jeffrey of PG Platforms, confronting conditions that tested both equipment and endurance. Istanbul was experiencing its heaviest rainfall in a decade, yet the inspection proceeded, methodically and on schedule.
Examining Stone, Joint, and Detail
Using a mobile elevating work platform, the team carried out a close visual and tactile examination of all four elevations. Masonry and pointing were inspected for signs of deterioration, while tap tests were used to assess the soundness of the stonework. Window surrounds received particular attention, including the condition of mastic joints, and accessible flashings were checked for integrity.
From the roof, the reverse sides of the chimneys, often overlooked yet vulnerable, were also examined by hand and eye, completing a comprehensive external assessment.
Recording for the Future
Every observation was supported by a detailed photographic record. Images were carefully catalogued by location, creating a visual archive that would guide future conservation planning. Defects and areas of concern were documented systematically, with special focus on window fabric, masonry, and joinery, elements critical both to the building’s appearance and its structural health.
Access was facilitated not only by the MEWP but also by a mobile tower arranged locally, demonstrating coordination between DBR and Istanbul-based suppliers.
Removing Immediate Hazards
Where loose materials or failing fixings posed a risk of falling, these were carefully removed using hand tools and manual handling. The priority was safety, both for the building’s occupants and for those passing below, while avoiding unnecessary disturbance to the historic fabric.
The survey formed part of a wider seismic assessment and preventative maintenance strategy, recognising that preservation in a tectonically active region demands foresight. Though no visible change occurred, DBR’s work at Pera House provided knowledge, planning, and vigilance to guide future conservation.
