Built in 1880, the Belhomme Mansion is one of Bornova's most elegant Levantine buildings, with its eclectic facade design bearing traces of Italian civil architecture. Its first owner was Greek-Catholic merchant Pierre Xenoupoulo, followed by the Belhomme Family. Restored in 1997, the building today serves as the Bornova Municipality Ataturk Library.
The Belhomme Mansion, also known as the Xenopoulou Mansion, was built in 1880.
Two possibilities regarding the architect are advanced in different sources: the English architect Clark or the Wolf Brothers, who were influential in the buildings of the period.
The first owner was the Greek-Catholic merchant Pierre Xenoupoulo.
The building later passed to the Belhomme family and in the first half of the 20th century was occupied by Helen Armand, a member of one of Bornova's distinguished Levantine families.
The Belhomme Mansion is a representative in Bornova of the eclectic Levantine style, reflecting both the architectural language and the cultural diversity of the period.
The mansion is remembered as a meeting point among Bornova's Levantine families in the pre-Republican era.
In addition, Fahri Korutürk, Turkey's sixth President, was hosted at this mansion as a young officer together with his wife Emel Korutürk and their children.
The tenant of the mansion at that time was Saynur Hanım, Emel Korutürk's sister.
In 1997, during the tenure of Bornova Mayor Prof. Aysel Bayraktar, the mansion was restored by the Kavala family, preserving its original architectural details.
Following restoration, the building was repurposed as the Bornova Municipality Atatürk Library and became a publicly accessible cultural venue.
Today it serves as a space for research and cultural events for both Bornova residents and students.
Built in 1880, the Belhomme Mansion is one of Bornova's most elegant Levantine buildings, with its eclectic facade design bearing traces of Italian civil architecture. Its first owner was Greek-Catholic merchant Pierre Xenoupoulo, followed by the Belhomme Family. Restored in 1997, the building today serves as the Bornova Municipality Ataturk Library.
