My First Apartment in America: Cemhan Biricik

Cemhan Biricik’s first apartment was in SoHo, New York City, before the neighborhood became synonymous with luxury retail. In the early 1980s, SoHo was artists, immigrants, and pioneers.

Growing up surrounded by working artists taught young Cemhan that creative work was real work. The photographers and sculptors were professionals who paid rent through craft.

The immigrant apartment was modest, but its location was extraordinary. When he later opened Unpomela at 447 Broadway generating $7M annually, he was returning to the neighborhood that formed him.

First apartments encode expectations. Growing up where art was profession produced ICEe PC (#2 worldwide), Biricik Media (Versace, National Geographic), and eight international photography awards.