PropertyNC’s interview with White Lotus Development’s Director, architect Çiğdem Nailer, on their latest project ‘Celsus’ and its impact on the city.

 

  • Can you tell us about yourself, your background and your career?

I began my higher education in 2006 at the University of Greenwich in London, England. At the end of the 3 year course, I graduated with BA Honours from the Department of Architecture. After working for 1 year at a private architectural office, registered at the Royal Institute of British Architects in London, I began my master’s degree at the University of Brighton in 2010. I completed my Masters of Architecture in 2 years and returned to North Cyprus in 2012.

On my return I worked with one of the most important architects on the island and then worked on multiple projects in our family company until 2015. In the same year, my brother Erinç Nailer and I established White Lotus Development.

 

  • Can you tell us how White Lotus Development came about, its vision and its activities?

As White Lotus Development we design and implement projects which are environmentally friendly and meet every human need. Although the company is still very young, we look to design ‘timeless’ projects suitable for contemporary values, we focus on quality, sustainability, environmental values together with energy efficiency. Another issue we give very serious importance to is the satisfaction of both our customers and investors. Services provided to customers include good after sales services, returns on investment and future assurances; these are our main priorities. Continuing business without compromise adds to our experience and the value we gain.

White Lotus Development was established with my brother, Erinç Nailer, and is in fact a reflection of 30 years of history and experience. When our family business was active, we implemented some of the most innovative projects in the TRNC. Today we are looking to build firsts again, under the White Lotus brand. Our company provides services in the Real Estate sector, in the areas of Project Development, Analysis and Design, Construction Management and Supervision, Sales and After Sales Services, Management, Rental and Resale Services. We create high quality projects which are both futuristic, needs-oriented and environmentally friendly.

 

  • Can you describe Nicosia from a personal perspective for us?

Nicosia attracts people with its historical features; the city walls, the diverse architecture within the walls from the Lusignan, Venetian, Ottoman and British Colonial periods, offering assorted architectural buildings and streets. It is the only divided capital city in the world with borders, but it is mainly prominent for its shopping, entertainment, social and cultural possibilities. Sixty percent of our country’s economic activities are generated here. Nicosia is where international companies have made large investments and it is also an important tourism destination with its lively, entertaining atmosphere. Additionally, the city is integrated with two walk through and one vehicle crossing point to South Cyprus. Nicosia, with many head offices, is where both foreign and local business people and investors organise their working relations with the public.

50% of the foreign university student population in the TRNC attend universities and reside in Nicosia. This makes it dynamic and socially alive. The dormitories, blocks of flats, cafes, restaurants and bars have made it the North’s most popular city.

 

  • Can you tell us about the need for business centres on the island and how much of this need will be met by ‘Celsus’?

Business people in the TRNC, like those in all other countries, now seek a prestigious and comfortable working environment with a fast internet infrastructure, meeting rooms and social areas, allowing them to focus more on their work. They want to be in a building which offers high quality cleaning, security, technical services and maintenance services, while working in one place but without having to spend extra time on dealing with business accommodation issues.

There is currently no business centre on the island that has professional management aiming to organise your business environment and offer support to maximize productivity with its functions. According to surveys carried out, we see a need for workplaces that can regulate the intensity of work for younger generation start-up businesses, companies working with connections abroad and people who take on certain organisations.

With our “Buy or Rent” Celsus Project, we offer the prestige and comfort of the possibilities I have previously mentioned in one building, to both businesses and investors who use their offices constantly. We can also provide support while moving in to a new office. At the same time we can provide ready to use, fully furnished, office rental opportunities, with all the fitted infrastructure, for long or short periods to local or foreign businesses. Covid-19 has in effect prepared the environment for the creation of such new business areas, we are building a business centre with a strong infrastructure base that supports these new developments.

The world is beginning to switch to a more hybrid system, where employees will work some days from home and some days from the office. Foreign companies and their employees in South Cyprus are also changing to this system. Fully equipped offices are rented only for the time required. When the employee comes to work or sits at their desk, they are able to fully concentrate on their work, all other arrangements are taken care of by building management.

The Celsus Project design will provide functions and services completely tailored to the needs of the business world and will be built on a solid infrastructure with fully equipped technological systems and solutions. It also includes many features, such as meeting rooms for 25-50 people, a conference hall big enough to seat 106 people, parking for 160 vehicles, a secretary, reception, security, valet and catering services.

Providing a Professional business environment, which young entrepreneurs can rent and use whenever they want and for as long as they want, will minimise office expenses and contribute greatly to the competitive environment in business. We provide them with a supportive business environment with made to measure services.

You tell us how long you want to use your office, we will allocate a special office, desk or workspace, according to your usage hours and will set a price accordingly. This way, we can ensure that the current expenditures for the company/businessman, often their biggest expenses, can be measured and minimised. Usage of the area and services start upon the signing of your contract. Our flexible contract structure allows us to make adjustments according to your needs.You will be able to control all your needs on a smart phone application. All reservations, document postage and rental payments can be made through this application or on our website. In addition, there are facilities that will save our customers time and make their work easier. For example, they will not waste time in finding a parking spot, our valet services will help our customers and guests with that.

One of the most important features of Celsus is that it is on one of the main streets of Nicosia. It is within walking distance to public areas and is in the centre of the main business areas. The area which is organized as the central business area in the city’s zoning plans and where all ministries and important public buildings are located was integrated into the ‘Walled City re-planned’ in cooperation with the World Bank and Nicosia Municipality. Celsus Business Centre and Residence is the unique structure located in the heart of this area. Celsus doesn’t only offer an office space, it offers a privileged working environment with its powerful fibre optic internet, professional secretariat and management services, professional working environment, and rental services that help reduce expenses and networking spaces.

By providing the opportunity to work with people from different sectors in the same environment, we not only create a ‘hub’, namely a centre of excellence, but also offer a social and professional working area where global relations can be established and formed.

 

  • When considering its architecture, what has Celsus contributed to the city?

We are creating a new landmark with Celsus and with this Project we are creating a new meeting point and centre of attraction for tourists and the people of Nicosia.

The most valuable and central location of Nicosia is Şht. Ecevit Yusuf Street which is currently the main developing business area. However, there are not enough luxurious and prestigious residences, offices and shops located there.

Celsus increases the prestige and value of the street with its modern design, shops and restaurants on the ground floor as well as its offices and residences. Real estate prices in the area have already increased by 30%. In addition, Celsus offers business people from abroad prestige and business opportunities with short term professional working areas, meeting and conference halls and overnight accommodation in the residence section.