A housing development near Istanbul that aimed to build 732 miniature châteaux inspired by Disney castles has been abandoned, leaving a ghost town of half-finished structures.
The project, named Burj Al Babas, was set to feature three-storey villas with gothic-inspired turrets and balustrades, resembling Cinderella's castle. Each home was to have its own pipeline to the nearby Babas thermal springs for indoor swimming pools. Prices ranged from $370,000 to $530,000 (approximately £278,500 to £400,000).
Planned community never completed
Half the castles were sold in advance, mostly to buyers from Gulf states, but not a single home was occupied. Construction began in 2014 with a four-year completion target, but soon encountered problems. Contractors complained that rubble disposal breached environmental laws, and workers protested over unpaid wages. Contractors withdrew and began legal efforts to recover lost pay.
A failed military coup and poor weather further delayed work. Sales stalled amid the country's instability, and the developer, Sarot Group, went bankrupt. By 2022, no castle had been completed, and 587 half-built structures remained on site, exposed to water damage.
Renewed interest but no progress
In 2024, the Emir of Kuwait visited President Erdoğan, and Burj Al Babas was reportedly discussed. A Guardian tour that year included Adem Tekgöz, a Sarot Group representative, who said: “It gets cold in the winter, so we stopped construction. We’re preparing to restart next summer.”
As of 2026, the Sarot Group has no online presence, and there is no indication the project will be revived. The development remains a ghost town.
