The Gökçe Gemile Team
If you ask anyone on the Gökçe Gemile team how they feel about working together, they’ll say the same thing: “The Gökçe Gemile team is like one big, happy family!”
The proof is in the pudding. Ayşegül (30), Mustafa (24), Gülay (22), and Süleyman (20) have been with Malik the longest, while Sevinç joined the team 16 years ago. Sevinç shares, “One of the best things about our team is the respect, loyalty, and friendship we have for each other. We share responsibilities and always help one another. Malik may be our boss, but he’s part of the team, working alongside us to ensure everything runs smoothly.”
Ayşegül explains how the team operates: “We all have our job roles, but we also pitch in wherever needed. For example, if our amazing cooks, Özlem or Seher, are busy, you’ll find me, Malik, or Sevinç in the kitchen lending a hand.”
Gülay, along with Banu and Dilber, the Gökçe Gemile House Helpers, sums it up beautifully: “It’s wonderful to see guests come to Gökçe Gemile, fall in love with the houses, and enjoy the delicious food we prepare. That’s what motivates us and brings us joy!”
Gökçe Gemile: A Story Carved in Wood and Stone
Gökçe Gemile tells a story of faith, vision, passion, and determination. Each of these qualities is reflected in the carved boulders and every piece of wood and stone used in its creation.
Every element of Gökçe Gemile represents Malik Şahin’s long-held dream. While it’s easy to label him as the creative mind behind Gökçe Gemile, he believes the reality is much more complex.
The journey Malik took to bring this unique architectural vision to life was as dynamic and challenging as the building process itself.
Blood, Sweat, and a Few Tears
When Malik began constructing the three houses, he needed skilled craftsmen—a stone mason, carpenter, and blacksmith—along with the best natural materials: wood and stone. The walls at Gökçe Gemile and some mosaics in Gemile Villa are made from locally sourced stones and pebbles. However, the stone for the houses—such as beautifully hand-carved basins, large egg-shaped boulders for the jacuzzies, and river stones for the pools—was collected from all over Turkey, including Eşen, Afyonkarahisar, Aydın, İzmir, Marmara Island, Bodrum, Gaziantep, Elmalı, Aliağa, and Alaçatı.
The reclaimed wood used for beams, rafters, and unique tables comes from places like Artvin, Bursa, and Rize. Malik spent many days and nights traveling around Turkey to find the perfect stone and wood. He also researched traditional techniques, like wall plastering used in villages and regions such as Cappadocia. The wrought ironwork reflects his study of Turkey’s rich heritage.
This was not a spontaneous project; Malik had been planning for years. He had a clear vision for everything, from the houses to the furniture, beds, and lampshades.
According to Nicky, his wife of 25 years, Malik has a unique talent for visualizing things in three dimensions. He is a “doer” and a perfectionist; if something isn’t right, he will redo it until it meets his standards. Nicky describes him as determined, like an arrow that never strays from its path.
Gökçe Gemile opened its doors to guests in mid-June 2018. Malik reflects on the tough four years that followed, and despite the challenges, Gökçe Gemile stands as a testament to his faith and the hard work of everyone involved.
Trust in God, But Tie Your Camel
Gökçe Gemile was always going to be a significant investment and a new direction for Malik, blending his love for Turkey with his passion for nature. As a successful businessman, he describes himself as logical and intuitive; he trusts his instincts but avoids unnecessary risks. He examines everything from multiple angles, with his faith as his guiding light. He often recalls the saying, “Trust in God, but tie your camel.”
Malik believes that what has been accomplished at Gökçe Gemile is not just about him, Fethiye, or even Muğla. This visionary project aims to benefit Turkey and elevate its tourism to a world-class level. It also pays homage to his love for nature. He hopes that when you visit Gökçe Gemile, you will feel the same way.
