Esma Sultan Mansion is located on the European shore of the Bosphorus in Ortakoy, in the Besiktas district of Istanbul. It is one of the notable historic waterfront buildings, often recognized by its preserved brick walls and open view of the strait. For tourists, it is interesting not as a museum, but as a rare example of how an Ottoman building was given a modern second life.

The building is associated with Esma Sultan, a member of the Ottoman dynasty, and dates to the late Ottoman period. The mansion is usually linked to the architectural tradition of the Balyan family, who worked on many famous buildings in 19th-century Istanbul. After a fire in the 20th century, the interior spaces were lost, but the outer walls were preserved and used in the subsequent reconstruction.

Today, a modern space of glass and metal is housed inside the historic shell. This approach is clearly visible from the outside and makes the building unusual against the backdrop of the more traditional waterfront development of the Bosphorus. It is precisely the combination of old masonry and a new interior that most often attracts the attention of visitors interested in Istanbul's architecture.

It is worth seeing the mansion during a walk around Ortakoy and the Besiktas waterfront. Even if there is no access for independent visits inside, the building is clearly appreciated from the outside and is among the recognizable landmarks of this stretch of the Bosphorus. It can easily be included in an itinerary together with Ortakoy Square, Ortakoy Mosque, and a walk along the water.