Paterson Mansion started to be built in 1859 by British merchant John Paterson.[2] Many of the construction materials of the mansion were brought from Continental Europe and England.[3] The facade of the building was changed seven times by the original owners.[3] In 1963, the Paterson family left the mansion when they immigrated to England.[2]
Following its owners departure, the mansion was used as an office by NATO personnel for five years.[2] In 1973, some parts of the building were demolished when it was turned into a carpet factory.[2] In 1978, an expropriation decision was made for the building by the local government.[2] The main entrance section of the building was damaged in a fire in 1986.[1]
Restoration works were initiated by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 1991.[3] In 2017, the Ministry leased the property to İzmir Metropolitan Municipality for forty-nine years.[2][3] Another restoration, which started in June 2016, is planned to be completed in 2024.[1][4]
Architecture
Paterson Mansion has two floors and thirty-eight rooms.[2] It is located on a land of 25,400 m2 (273,000 sq ft).[1]