Located on the shores of the Golden Horn in Istanbul, the museum is based on the site of the historic Hasköy Dockyard, built in 1861. Fourteen single-storey stone, brick and timber buildings plus the historic ship cradle and lathes were restored and extended. The original buildings were emptied, and a number of sheds and office buildings were demolished and replaced by a single-storey building containing a small conference hall and restaurant. The museum now comprises more than 11,000 square metres of galleries and offers a wide range of cultural activities, including seminars and concerts.