Was Kahraman Sadıkoğlu a Genius in Maritime Innovation?

He once recounted; His mother, Vuslat Sadıkoğlu, came from a family of Black Sea origins, much like her own family, and visited Rear Admiral Celal Eyiceoğlu, who was the Commander of the Northern Sea at that time... His son, Reserve Officer Kahraman Sadıkoğlu, would continue his life in San Francisco from that date onwards.

His life is filled with stories that could rival adventure films, full of intelligence, courage, and entrepreneurship, perhaps even described as crazily adventurous.

He passed away on August 30, 2026, and was sent off to eternity after the noon prayer held at the Zincirlikuyu Cemetery Mosque on Tuesday, September 1. He is remembered with the memories he left behind, but always referred to as the “hero who saved Savarona,” “he saved Savarona from being a wreck.” However, Kahraman Sadıkoğlu was a unique personality who reached much broader horizons with his wildly imaginative and incredible creativity.

I also knew Mrs. Vuslat Sadıkoğlu. She was a fearless, larger-than-life lady. The daughter of Colonel Kahraman and Hüsniye Kalkavan from Rize, she was the wife of the famous shipowner Kemal Sadıkoğlu and was related to the Koç and Simavi families. Vuslat Hanım, a very beautiful girl, was married at the age of 14 to her cousin Kemal Sadıkoğlu. By the time she reached 25, they had six children, four daughters and two sons. When Kemal Sadıkoğlu passed away, Vuslat Sadıkoğlu, who was 38 years old, continued the shipowning business with her sons, a determined Black Sea woman... One day, she practically burst into the Chamber of Shipping and began to speak excitedly at the table where Ziya Kalkavan was sitting, starting with “Ziya…”

Kahraman Sadıkoğlu had described his mother. His father had bought a car for his wife. Vuslat Sadıkoğlu was at the wheel, and they were getting gas at a gas station. On a whim, she pressed the accelerator, and the hose from the gas pump got dragged behind... Kahraman would tell these stories as if they were a comedy.

He had established a floating house in Göcek. This house was a magnificent architectural masterpiece... Once, in Tuzla, he had shown me this floating mansion. He brought all the wooden materials for this floating house from Finland. Since they opposed it in Göcek, he added a motor to the floating house to make it look like a yacht… That was Kahraman…

I have heard what I will tell from Kahraman Sadıkoğlu during our conversations. He would narrate his craziness with a smile, enjoying himself. You would think he was a very naughty, uncontrollable little boy. It was as if you were listening to the most mischievous comedian possible! And you would be amazed at how he came up with these antics, your mouth agape... you would laugh together. Kahraman Sadıkoğlu was a creative person with no limits.

If you happen to be on Harbiye Taşkışla Street near the Grand Hyatt Regency Hotel, remember that it is one of Kahraman Sadıkoğlu's miracles. I am sure he has shared this with many of his friends, entertainingly and enjoyably. He once told me about this adventure.

Before the Hyatt Regency adventure, I will recount the story told by Fatih Altaylı:

A Super Cup Savarona Story

In my opinion, Savarona, the most beautiful yacht sailing the world’s seas, was once again handed over to the Naval Forces Command. Previously, the Naval Forces, which had taken the yacht into its inventory, did not show the necessary care for the entrusted vessel, and the beautiful yacht was stripped and vandalized, ultimately being set on fire mercilessly to erase traces of the crime.

If it weren’t for Kahraman Sadıkoğlu, Savarona would have long been gone, and we would only be looking at its photographs. I don’t know if you know Kahraman Sadıkoğlu, but he is one of the most colorful, entertaining, and crazy people in Istanbul.

His tumultuous life was filled with ups and downs, yet it was also rich and exciting.

Sometimes he found himself in trouble with the law, but we remember him for his wild and vibrant life.

He is in our minds, skiing on the sea with a ski rope tied to a VW car going along the Bosphorus, sailing in Göcek with one of the Stars and Stripes yachts representing the USA in the America’s Cup, and sneaking into the New York Yacht Club disguised as a valet.

Today, let me tell you an entertaining story about the Savarona yacht and the man who saved this boat from disappearing.

The year was 2000; the Galatasaray football team was set to face Real Madrid in the Super Cup final in Monaco. On this occasion, Kahraman Sadıkoğlu brought Savarona to Monaco, but since there was no place to dock the 125-meter yacht at the famous Port Hercules, it was anchored offshore, staying at anchor.

For Savarona to enter the marina, several boats of similar size inside would need to leave, which did not seem very likely. Along with Sadıkoğlu, there were also some Galatasaray officials related to him on the yacht.

They wanted to dock the yacht and possibly host a party on board after a victory. However, it seemed almost impossible.

However, Sadıkoğlu was not the kind of man to give up easily.

He picked up the radio and asked the port authority for the phone number of the Monaco Palace.

Then he called the palace, introduced himself, and expressed his desire to meet with the Prince, stating that he wanted to present a gift they had brought along with the President of the Galatasaray Club and invite him to the party on Savarona that evening.

Everyone on the yacht laughed. The Prince would meet with Kahraman. What next…

Sadıkoglu, however, confidently said, “You’ll see.”

Indeed, 20 minutes later, the Prince called and told Sadıkoğlu that he was waiting for him at the palace.

The name Savarona and the word “gift” opened the door.

They immediately began searching for a gift.

Whatever they touched was historic, whatever they touched was significant.

One was from the time of Atatürk, another was very expensive, and another was unique, purchased at an auction.

Finally, Kahraman Sadıkoğlu set his eyes on a silk carpet with no historical value, had it wrapped and packaged, and they first took it down to the boat and then to the shore.

In front were Kahraman Sadıkoğlu and Faruk Süren, and behind them were sailors carrying the carpet as they set off.

However, since the carpet wouldn’t fit anywhere, they would have to climb all the way to the Palace.

Just as they reached the elevator, a minibus arrived, picking up the carpet and the team.

The Palace had seen the situation and sent a minibus.

The carpet, Sadıkoğlu, and the executives appeared before the Prince. They presented the silk carpet and invited him to the yacht that evening.

Kahraman Sadıkoğlu said, “We would have loved to be at the marina. It would have been very easy for all of us, but unfortunately, the marina wouldn’t take us. We only asked for a place for one night. Unfortunately, we will have to take you to the yacht by tender. Hopefully, the sea won’t be too rough this evening,” he said.

The Prince replied, “How can that be? Let’s get you into the marina right away,” and gave the order.

The team was listening to the radio in the captain's cabin of Savarona half an hour later.

The commodore of Port Hercules was ordering the boats in the marina to leave their places for one night.

The yachts were being untied one by one, trying to make room for Savarona.

One yacht, named Omega, said, “I paid my annual fee in advance. I can’t move.”

Most likely, the Greek owner of the boat did not want to give space to a Turkish yacht.

When the marina commodore threatened, “As I understand it, this will be your last year in Monte Carlo. You won’t be able to find a place here again,” he also left, and Savarona, with a giant Turkish flag at its stern and a Galatasaray flag at its mast, approached Monte Carlo.

This was the first miracle of the day.

The second miracle occurred in the evening.

Galatasaray lifted the Super Cup by defeating Real Madrid.

The celebration was held on Savarona.

Now I will continue with my testimony.

Kahraman Sadıkoğlu once planned to rent out the cabins of Savarona for a long time, and Savarona went to Miami. I have a photo of it in my archive. During this proposal, he invited Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz to his shipyard in Tuzla. He had informed me as well. The photos are in my archive.

I must note here regarding the fate of the Savarona yacht; what I will write here is primarily directed at the Naval Forces Command of those years. Since all the commanders from that time have passed away, I will only say may God rest their souls. However, those who left Savarona like this, sending it into oblivion, neglecting its historical value, and leaving it to an individual to be sacrificed for such matches must bear moral responsibility before history. The events that Savarona was subjected to in the incident narrated by Fatih Altaylı show me the painful indifference coming from the state level.

While Savarona was under the command of the Naval Forces, it served as a training ship for the Naval Academy. However, only graduates of War I and II were taken on 30-day international trips during the summer and received practical lessons during this time. Savarona was not a military training ship. This is a very absurd decision. In fact, they had mounted a 7.62 mm cannon at the front. It was a very pitiful object. Only the naval academy officer candidates were allowed to go from the bow to the bridge. It was forbidden to enter all cabins and lounges starting from the deck towards the stern. We would only beg the duty Osman Efendi. He would allow us to see these places a few times when groups came, peering in from the deck.

While Savarona was anchored in front of Heybeliada, it was subjected to a terrorist attack, and they said that a traitor set that magnificent ship on fire… I watched the burning of Savarona, its grounding in Büyükada shallow waters to prevent it from sinking, and its tilting towards the port side due to the water pressure, in despair, crying…

I hope that today’s commanders of the Naval Forces Command will include this historic yacht in their inventory as a museum ship.

The Crazy, Incredible Hyatt Hotel Incident

To continue telling about Kahraman Sadıkoğlu, I will go back to July 1999; The press reported and published this news; The Japanese Kajima Group put the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Istanbul, which it owns and operates, up for sale. It was stated that six bidders, including Doğuş Holding, were interested in the hotel, which Kajima Group valued at 45 million dollars (19.1 trillion lira).

The Hyatt Regency Hotel, established by the Japanese in Taksim, Istanbul, was put up for sale. The Japanese Kajima Group, which is both the operator and owner of the hotel, began intense negotiations with six groups interested in the hotel. It was learned that Antur Tourism, a subsidiary of Doğuş Holding, had made an offer for the Hyatt Regency Hotel and that negotiations were ongoing. It was also mentioned that Orjin Holding was among the bidders for the hotel.

The Hyatt Hotel, which opened in 1994, is said to have been valued at 45 million dollars (19.1 trillion lira) by Kajima. Kajima Group, which had a contract to operate the hotel until 2000, is reassessing its strategy in Turkey. The Hyatt Hotel, which has 360 rooms, various suites, apartments, and conference halls, is built on an area of 44,000 square meters.

Two Groups on Alert

Officials from Antur Tourism, which is interested in the Hyatt Hotel, do not make any statements regarding the matter. It is said that Doğuş Holding, which owns five marinas along with the Antalya Sheraton, Marmaris Grand Azur, and Antur Holiday Village, plans to purchase a five-star hotel in Istanbul and is very interested in Hyatt. The holding had previously purchased the hotel then known as Mövenpick and later sold it to casino chain owner Sudi Özkan.

Another surprising name bidding for the Hyatt Hotel and negotiating is Orjin Group. Known to the public as Orjin Deri, Orjin Group is the most interesting group of the last five years with its different growth strategy.

Kajima is Stubborn on the Price

It is claimed that Kajima, the only owner and operator of a hotel in Turkey, is not very satisfied with the market. It is stated that Kajima, which will continue to operate the hotel until 2000, valued the hotel at 40 million and did not consider offers below that. Kajima, which has been trying to sell the hotel for two years, agreed with a real estate company based in England six months ago to sell the hotel. However, dissatisfied with the work done, Kajima decided two months ago to sell the hotel himself.

A Hyatt Regency Hotel official providing information about the sale said, “The matter is under discussion. A decision will be made within six weeks. We cannot provide details.”

The story of Hyatt Regency International Ltd. in Turkey is interesting. During the time when Bedrettin Dalan was the Mayor of Istanbul, the land where the hotel is located in Elmadağ was granted to shipowner Kahraman Sadıkoğlu for 49 years. Sadıkoğlu had given this land to the Kajima Group in exchange for a 50% partnership. Later, with an agreement between the two groups, Sadıkoğlu sold his 50% stake and left the operation of the hotel to Kajima.

Jay Arthur Pritzker was born on August 26, 1922, in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, USA. He passed away on January 23, 1999, at the age of 76 due to a heart attack. He graduated from the University of Chicago and Northwestern University (Bachelor's, Juris Doctor). He was the founding partner of Hyatt Corporation. His wife was Marien Cindy Friend, who passed away at the age of 101. She was an incredibly charitable lady. Jay Pritzker was born to a Jewish family in Chicago, Illinois. Pritzker's grandparents immigrated to the United States from Kiev in 1881.

Pritzker, the son of Fanny (née Doppelt) and Abram Nicholas Pritzker, had two brothers named Donald and Robert Pritzker. Pritzker was accepted to the University of Chicago at the age of 14. He later received his bachelor's degree from Northwestern University in 1941 and his law degree from Northwestern University School of Law in 1947. Pritzker served as a naval aviator during World War II.

Pritzker diversified the family business, which was then managed by his uncle Harry through the Pritzker & Pritzker law firm and investments made by his father and uncle Jack, and founded the Marmon Group holding company. He and his brother Robert created a portfolio of 60 diversified industrial companies. In 1957, he co-founded the Hyatt hotel chain with his brother Donald and owned Braniff Airlines from 1983 to 1988.

In 1979, he established the Pritzker Architecture Prize. In 1982, he purchased and expanded Ticketmaster, later selling 80% of it to Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen for over $325 million in 1993. In 1979, Pritzker received the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement. In 1996, he and his wife Cindy received the Honor Award from the National Building Museum.

Marian “Cindy” Friend Pritzker was married to Jay Pritzker for 51 years. They had five children. Jay Pritzker died on January 23, 1999, at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago and was buried at Memorial Park Cemetery in Skokie.

His wife, Marian “Cindy” Pritzker (maiden name Friend; December 15, 1923 – March 15, 2025), was an American philanthropist. She served as the chair of the Chicago Public Library Board and was one of the founding partners of the Pritzker Architecture Prize. As the wife of Jay Pritzker, a founding partner of Hyatt Hotels, she was the matriarch of the Pritzker family.

In 1984, Pritzker was appointed to the Chicago Public Library Board by Mayor Harold Washington. She chaired the board and led an effort for the construction of the Harold Washington Library Center, which opened in 1991. Marian Pritzker was also the founding chair of the Chicago Public Library Foundation. Together with her husband, she established the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1979. After her husband’s death in 1999, she commissioned architect Frank Gehry to design the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. In 1996, she and her husband received the Honor Award from the National Building Museum.

She passed away at the age of 101 on March 15, 2025, and was buried at Memorial Park Cemetery in Skokie.

Kahraman Sadıkoğlu managed to reach such magnificent individuals, to express himself to them, and to endear himself to them... This is an incredible event!

How he found the Japanese Kajima Group

How Kahraman Sadıkoğlu found Japan’s international industrial and trade giant Kajima Corporation and how he convinced them is also an unfathomable event. He shared the land in Elmadağ, which was allocated to him for 49 years by the then Mayor of Istanbul, Bedrettin Dalan, with the Japanese Kajima Group in exchange for a 50% partnership, thus financing both the construction of the Hyatt Regency Hotel and the restoration of Atatürk's historic yacht Savarona through this partnership... How he managed to enter The Standard Club of Chicago in Chicago... It was Kahraman Sadıkoğlu who achieved all of this.

May God rest his soul.

Source: SeaNews Türkiye