In 2025, Can Holding has emerged as one of Türkiye’s most dynamic business groups, making headline-worthy moves across media, industry, and now international real estate. After acquiring Ciner Media Group and a controlling stake in Tekfen Holding, the company is now setting its sights overseas through its subsidiary, Can Capital.
Recent updates from Can Holding Board Member Devran Can on his professional social media account reveal that the group has begun significant property investments in the United States. The company’s American operations are being led by Erzincan-born entrepreneur Jack Burhan Altınbilek, founder of Houston-based Goldenwrist Capital.
First Major Step – Houston Multifamily Acquisition
The group’s first announced acquisition is the $24 million purchase of Houston Multifamily, a residential complex designed for multiple families. This deal represents the opening stage of Can Holding’s ambitious $600 million short-term investment plan in the United States.
Devran Can described the transaction as the first milestone in a broader vision:
“This $24 million multifamily investment in Houston, Texas, marks the first closing in our $600 million short-term investment plan. Next up is a visionary dream: Houstanbul. We are preparing to lay the foundation for this major project that will create a new living and investment model in the US.”
Introducing Houstanbul – A City of the Future
In a follow-up statement, Devran Can offered more details on the Houstanbul project:
“We are building a brand new living area spanning 1,000 acres in Texas, where architecture, nature, and social life meet in harmony. We are bringing the city of the future to life.”
Jack Burhan Altınbilek echoed this sentiment, announcing that the master plan phase was officially beginning:
“This project, located on 1,000 acres in Texas, is more than just a real estate investment. It is a holistic city model designed to add value to the region, shaped by the strategic vision of Devran Can. The name of this unique living concept is Houstanbul.”
(Note: One acre equals approximately 4,046.86 square meters—about 40% of a hectare.)
The Man Behind US Operations – Jack Burhan Altınbilek
Goldenwrist Capital, led by Altınbilek, specializes in multi-family housing in Houston, particularly in underserved neighborhoods. The company focuses on distressed and poorly managed properties, often occupied by working-class families, with the aim of improving occupancy and living conditions.
Altınbilek’s journey in real estate began during his university years, when he purchased his first property from a bankrupt landlord during the economic downturn. His academic background includes a degree from Ankara Gazi University (2008) and a master’s in Vocational Education from Texas PB University (2013). He also began but did not complete a PhD in Political Science. By late 2014, he transitioned into full-time real estate investment.
A Strategic Move for Global Reach
For Can Holding, the US investment drive represents a significant diversification beyond its core sectors in Türkiye. The Houstanbul project signals a shift toward large-scale urban development that integrates residential, commercial, and community spaces under a forward-looking design philosophy.
With a 1,000-acre footprint, Houstanbul has the potential to become a landmark project in Texas, blending Turkish entrepreneurial vision with American real estate opportunities.
Looking Ahead
While details on Houstanbul’s exact layout, design features, and timeline are yet to be revealed, both Devran Can and Jack Burhan Altınbilek have hinted that it will be a model for sustainable, community-oriented living. For Can Holding, it is an opportunity not only to expand globally but also to export a distinctive approach to urban planning.
If successful, Houstanbul could become a showcase for how Turkish business groups can translate domestic expertise into large-scale international ventures, setting the stage for further cross-border projects in the years ahead.
