In 1984 while digging 12 meters underground for the foundations for the Antik Hotel, workers happened across the remains of a built structure. Investigations carried out by staff of the istanbul Archaeological Museum determined the structure to be that of a Late Roman-Early Byzantine 450-500 BC cistern and its infrastructure. Another Ottoman era structure had been built over the original cistern. Following restoration work, the historical cistern was brought back to life and transformed into the Antik Cisterna a facility that combines culture, art and history. Today the Antik Cisterna is used to host art exhibits, meetings and special events. The artifacts found during excavation are being exhibited in the lobby and the different locations of the hotel. Each floor of the hotel carries a name of the city as it was known at different times throughout the ages. Floors and rooms were designed to reflect the culture and art of their named civilization.