It was originally built in 1800 by Sultan Selim III for the soldiers of the newly established Nizam-ı Cedid (literally "New Order") within the framework of the Ottoman military reform efforts.

The original wooden barracks was designed by Krikor Balyan but was burnt down in 1806 by rebel Janissaries, who were resisting the sultan's reforms.

During this process, a tower seven stories in height was added to each of the four corners, giving the barracks its current appearance.

After the troops of its 33rd and 41st foot regiments[3] left for the front, the barracks was converted into a temporary military hospital.

[5] Today, the northernmost tower of the barracks houses a small museum partly in memory of Nightingale.