Melec – Umut Çakmak: As a Turk in Austria, We Want to Show Turkish Hospitality in the Best Way
Mc Art Architecture Founder Melec Çakmak and Businessman Umut Çakmak told Klass about the projects and new investments they realized in Vienna.
MC ART Architecture Founder Melec Çakmak and successful businessman Umut Çakmak, one of the leading names in the real estate sector in Vienna, continue to attract attention with their success in business life and the projects they have realized in Austria. Stating that they carry out their projects and studies together, the successful couple amazes everyone by developing projects that are open to development in Vienna with their investments in different sectors.The successful couple, who have undertaken special projects in the restoration, healthcare and real estate sectors in Vienna, draw attention with their successful work in the hotel management sector, and continue their efforts to bring the comfort and service of hotel accommodation in Turkey to Vienna and offer it here. Stating that they want to provide the best comfort to their guests and introduce Vienna, the Çakmak couple underlines that, as a Turk in Austria, they want to show Turkish hospitality in the best way.We talked to MC ART Architecture Founder Melec Çakmak and successful Businessman Umut Çakmak about their new investments and projects and their success in the hotel industry on the magnificent streets of Vienna for Klass readers.
Mr. Umut, you are a loved and respected businessman living in Vienna, Austria and living your life here. Especially, you make all your investments in Austria. Is there a special reason for making your investments in Austria?
Umut Çakmak: I was born in Vienna, grew up in Vienna, grew up in Vienna. I always did business here. I do not know the Turkish market. I prefer to do business in Austria because it is an environment that I master and understand, and know the law, rules, trade and tax system. There are so many opportunities in Austria for me. My circle, my friends, my business partners, everything is here. In summary, I want to do business in the environment I dominate.
‘I DO NOT ENGAGE IN PROJECTS OTHER THAN THOSE THAT ARE OPEN FOR DEVELOPMENT’
You have a large portfolio, especially in the real estate field. What do you pay attention to when buying and selling in Austria? What is your difference in this field?
U.C: I don’t get involved in projects other than those that are open to development. I prefer to take projects that are open to development and develop them myself. There are many projects that I have not sold but kept as investments. I put effort into work that I developed myself, not developed by someone else. I think that’s how I’ve had the success we’ve had.
Are the places you buy and restore always in Vienna?
U.C: Yes, I generally prefer central places. Apartments, buildings or real estate in the center usually have higher profit margins. This creates a preferable reason for us.
‘HOTEL MANAGEMENT IS AN ENJOYABLE BUSINESS WITH REGULAR MONEY FLOW’
You started to enter different fields other than real estate and currently you have 5 different hotels in Austria. What did you think and aim for when entering the hotel management industry?
U.Ç: Actually, I got into this industry by chance. Since I am a real estate investor, many investment files come to my desk here. Hotels were closed during the pandemic period. Some hotels failed in crisis management during this period and could not cope with the problems. For these reasons, they wanted to transfer it at more affordable prices below its value. During this period, I started this business by purchasing a hotel. My goal was to make improvements to the hotel and sell it again. However, I continued it because the pandemic was over and things were going well. Hotel management is an enjoyable job with a regular flow of money. Thus, over time, we increased the number of hotels and bought 5 hotels. We are considering increasing this number even further.
‘WE WANT TO BRING TURKEY’S SUCCESS IN THE FIELD OF HEALTH TO VIENNA’
You carry out projects in many fields and sectors. You are currently working on a new project in the field of healthcare in Vienna. Is there a reason you entered the healthcare industry? Can you tell us about this project?
M.C: Health is a very sensitive issue for me. For health-related matters, I would refrain from getting the best doctor, the best hospital and service. Health facilities in Vienna are not like those in Turkey. The hospitals are very nice, the education level of the doctors is very good, but apart from these issues, it is very untouched when compared to Turkey. We are developing projects on what we can do for this untouched region and issues, together with a doctor here. Thus, we have entered into a health formation. We have larger and more important projects related to health in the future. We want to bring Turkey’s success in the field of healthcare to Vienna. In this regard, we are in a good cooperation with a very big brand. We will announce the details soon. As a Turkish brand, we will represent Vienna in the best way by giving great momentum in the field of health. Another of our projects is “establishing a wellness center”. We aim to carry out this project together with Turkish investors. For this reason, we want to attract Turkish investors to Vienna. We hold various meetings on these issues in Turkey. We are trying to create the necessary infrastructure for our healthy living center. Everything is ready, including the location of the project. In this center, we aim to restore health to people with illnesses through various programs and treatment methods. People will both have a holiday and regain their health here. They will both eat healthy and benefit from detox programs. This center will include aesthetic-plastic surgeons, doctors in various branches related to medical aesthetics, hair transplantation and dental fields. We aim to restore our guests’ health and return them to their normal lives. We have already started our projects for 2024. We will complete these projects in a short time and provide the best service to people. We come together with Turkey’s important brands and doctors and want to introduce the power of the Turkish healthcare industry to Austrians.
‘WE CONDUCT OUR COMMERCIAL AND BUSINESS LIFE HERE, WE HOLIDAY IN TURKEY’
How is life in Austria? Is it possible to make a comparison with Türkiye?
M.C: I can say that we live a much calmer life in Austria. Everything here follows certain rules. Traffic problems are much less. We carry out our commercial and business life here and have holidays in Turkey. I love Turkey’s natural beauties and the friendliness of its people. We collect all our beautiful memories in Turkey.
U.C: Since I have been here since my birth, I have to continue my business life here. Job opportunities are more reliable and comfortable for me here. However, Türkiye is my great love. I spend almost 6 months of the year in Turkey. We always try to spend our summer holidays especially in Turkey.
M.C: I have been married to Mr. Umut for 4 years. I came to Austria 4 years ago. I was living in Türkiye before. When I started living in Austria, the calmness and peaceful nature of this place impressed me. We also have good collaborations with my wife. We have joined forces and are making investments in Austria. We also raise our children here. I am in Turkey for six months of the year and Türkiye is a great love for me.
