About MKB
Murat Kaan Bozdemir (MKB), born in 1974, is an urban planner, concept designer, and project developer in the hospitality industry. He is also a gastronome, sommelier, and expert consultant in healthy nutrition and living, a thinker, futurist, researcher, writer, explorer, traveler, and philanthropist.
Some of the recent projects (2023-2024) are; a 5-star hotel and casino project in Cyprus, two exclusive boutique hotel projects in Paris, a royal hotel project in Rome…
After graduating from The Koc School in Istanbul in 1993, MKB began his undergraduate studies in Italian Philology at the Università degli Studi di Siena (Siena University, Italy). The following year, he moved to Florence to pursue both a BA in Industrial Design and a MUP (Master in Urban Planning) at the Università degli Studi di Firenze (Florence University, Italy).
During his years in Tuscany, MKB also trained to become both a gastronome and a sommelier, gathering these skills along the way to achieving his main goals.
MKB's career in concept designing, developing, and consulting within the hospitality sector began during his university years.
The launch of his career was marked by the opening of 'Club Tropicana,' a prominent nightclub located on the Bosporus in Istanbul, which also featured several top-ranking restaurants, bringing the Bahamans flavor to the Bosphorus. Opened in 1995, the club quickly gained recognition and was awarded 'F&B and Entertainment Venue of the Year.'
Even while continuing his studies in Florence, the success of 'Club Tropicana' was compelling enough for investors to seek MKB's expertise in project development and consulting for new high-profile ventures. This led to a period of balancing life between studying in Italy and directing or consulting on projects in Turkey (Istanbul, Bodrum, Marmaris) from 1995 to 2001; the projects such as night clubs/ restaurants @Istanbul (´Don Pedro´), night club/ restaurants @Bodrum (´Club Flipper´), upper upscale casino @Marmaris (´Vega Casino´).
In 2001, MKB completed his Master of Urban Planning (MUP) with a thesis titled 'Renewable Cities,' which aimed to envision the future cities that are urgently needed today;
- the cities producing and consuming 100% renewable energy... (solar and biomass)
- no cars, no motorways but only railway, light rail, and subway; no traffic, no pollution, no stress...
- %100 natural agriculture and farming organizations; cities produce their whole demand of greens, meat, and dairy products internally, with highly developed greenhouses also producing renewable energy.
- consummate carbon efficient industry which is invested and managed by the townhalls...
- equal social rights and opportunities for everyone; no social levels, jobless, homeless, or poor...
Following this 'utopic finale,' MKB transitioned from living in Italy to Germany…
In 2001, MKB applied to join the team of one of the greatest architects of all time, Frank O. Gehry. That same year, Mr. Gehry had just completed the design of MARTA, the Museum for Art, Architecture, and Design in Herford, NRW, Germany, and construction was about to begin. MKB promptly made his way to Herford to be part of the project.
MARTA was a state project, which led to MKB being introduced to the mayor of Herford, Mr. Gabriel. The mayor then offered MKB a position as his urban planning consultant.
In 2003 MKB resigned and established IMIC - Investment Management International Consulting - in Germany. Until 2013, IMIC focused on designing, developing, investing, and consulting for hospitality complexes across various cities and countries. Over time, the company opened branch offices in Istanbul, London, Dubai, and Miami.
In 2004, MKB introduced a groundbreaking innovation: the Secty Life Patron - Earthquake Early Warning and Security Automation System. The project's academic partner is the Geo Forschung Zentrum (GFZ) in Potsdam, Germany. So far this system has been installed and set up in numerous cities across more than 20 countries within high-risk earthquake zones. (For more details, see 'Environmental Planning.')
In 2007, MKB relocated IMIC's headquarters to Berlin and expanded the company's portfolio to include renewable energy. MKB and his partner pioneered introducing biomass and biogas technologies to Turkish mayors and ministers. IMIC prepared and presented over a dozen projects to municipalities to convert urban waste into energy.
After conducting extensive studies on renewable energy sources, MKB concluded that solar energy is not only the most abundant but also the only 100% eco-friendly energy source. Consequently, MKB pre-developed two solar park projects with a combined total generation capacity of 175 MW.
In 2008, MKB served as an advisor for several projects associated with the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, including 'Moremall,' which became the largest and most popular shopping center in Sochi. (For more details, see 'Economic Development.')
In 2014, MKB relocated to Istanbul and, together with his brother Orkun Bozdemir, launched the highly acclaimed nightclub 'Klein.' The club's exceptional success and consecutive 'Club of the Year' awards led to the formation of a unique entertainment group in Turkey. Today, 'The Klein Entertainment Group' operates several renowned venues, including 'Klein Phoenix,' 'Klein Harbiye,' 'Klein Garten,' and 'Sommer Klein,' the leading beach club in Turkey, all serving tens of thousands of distinguished clients.
Between 2014 and 2020, before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, MKB was extensively involved in designing and consulting on numerous hospitality projects, including:
- Crowne Plaza Hotel @ Dubai Marina
- TFC (Transformation Boot Camp) @ International Franchise
- WAFF (Wellness Awareness Functional Food) @ Akmerkez Mall, Istanbul
and more…
In 2021, MKB relocated his base back to Germany, but this time to Hamburg…
At present, MKB is giving the services of;
- CONCEPT DESIGN
- URBAN PLANNING & DESIGN
- TURN-KEY PROJECT MANAGEMENT
- INVESTMENT
- EXPANSION
- MANAGEMENT CONSULTING
for the hospitality sector, as well as the technology.
