CAIRO-ALEX DESERT ROAD

Striking the perfect balance between weekend getaway and secluded retirement option, the stretch of road that is the Cairo-Alex Desert highway is being parceled off and sold as the latest trend in real estate development. The option boasts exclusive residential compounds where you can enjoy your property and see it turn a profit in the form of a farmhouse surrounded by acres of arable land.

Only 55 kilometers outside the city along the Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road, this charming upscale community is carefully designed to ensure the privacy of villa owners. Recreational opportunities include golf facilities, outdoor jogging areas around a lagoon, a mega-chess game at the Swan Café, and sports such as football, tennis, swimming and volleyball.

A large language school includes a nursery, kindergarten, primary, preparatory andsecondary levels. All the essentials are located nearby: a post office, police station and fire station. Villas start at around LE 287,000, with prices varying according to both the amount of land and the size of the building; 10 percent of the total price is paid in advance, the rest over four years without interest. Property is delivered two years after the sale contract is inked.

Located at kilometer 64 on the Cairo-Alex road, just 30 minutes from the capital, Cascada is constructed over 340 feddans 80 meters above sea level. Less than 10 percent of the land is open to construction. Villa sizes range from 190-560 square meters, each with a large green space in the middle to provide clear and fresh air. Pools and a lake occupy five feddans of the area, while two feddans are allocated for restaurants, and three for the kids’ court, tennis and football courts and a mall. Cascada also houses a five-star hotel. Prices range from LE 190,000 to LE 560,000. Installment plans of up to 20 years are available.

After the enormous success of the first phase of El-Reef El-Oropi, the company is now finishing the new extension and offering land at LE 65,000 per feddan. This ‘farming compound’ offers such basic amenities as paved roads, electricity and water, as well as acres of arable land. Live on a medium- to large-size farm, complete with your very own villa, where you realize your dreams of an idyllic paradise.

Gardenia Park II in Sixth of October City

El-Mansoureya Compound is a stunning 70-feddan residential haven designed and built by renowned engineer Shehab Mazhar. Only 30 minutes from Lebanon Square, the compound offers an escape from the crowds of the city while remaining accessible to the main Cairo hub. With its small building to land ratio of only 11 percent, and other key attractions such as private swimming pools for each villa, the compound is truly a landmark in residential living.

Villas are each built on one feddan to ensure privacy. Total area of the villas run from 700 to 990 square meters, with five different designs to choose from and installment plans up to 18 months.

A well-planned industrial and residential city, Sixth of October caters both to the needs of its residents and those of small- and medium-sized businesses. It is divided into three districts: industrial, tourist and residential, separated from one another by green areas. The compounds are elegant, with houses built on large tracts of land, complete with swimming pools and surrounded by gardens.

Not only are basic amenities at your fingertips, but luxuries as well: the Sixth of October Club and branches of the Zamalek and Ahli clubs are currently under construction. Schools and kindergartens are available, and of course Sixth of October University. Air-conditioned bus service is available from Mohandiseen to the main bus terminal; from there you can easily find a ride to your respective compound.

A mere eight kilometers from Remaya Square in Haram lies probably the most-advertised residential suburb near Cairo. Owned by business tycoon Ahmed Bahgat, Dreamland offers myriad services and entertainment facilities and guarantees a comfortable, healthy lifestyle. The area boasts a sports club; the Dream Park fun fair, complete with state-of-the-art rides for children and adults; the Hilton Pyramids Golf Resort; a shopping mall; and restaurants and fast food joints for all tastes.

Porto Marina on the North Coast

There is also a 100-acre sports club, movie theaters, a golf course, horseback riding and tennis club. A hospital and two health clubs complete the picture. Choueifat International School and the Canadian School for Children with Special Needs are up and running.

Apart from the villas and apartment buildings, available in all sizes, there are special sectioned-off private areas, intended for group of friends or a family who want to share and design their own building or villas. All units overlook golf courses, gardens and swimming pools.

This residential area will be located within the Tourist District extension. The project consists of 68 villas and townhouses designed to suit all your family needs and to make you feel at home. The Royal Valley also includes a shopping complex with a number of specialty outlets, a medium-sized supermarket and a community center.

La Hacienda in Ras Sudr

By focusing on building lifestyles within holistic residential complexes, Amlak‘s master-planned developments give a feeling of community that no other local developer can offer. Crucial to this process is the comprehensive portfolio of amenities and support services included as a part of each of the developments, which is where the company’s retail department plays a central role. Construction in Royal Valley will be complete by 2008.

Building on the exceptional success of Gardenia Park and Hay Al-Ashgar, Gardenia Park II is the latest residential compound in Sixth of October, developed by the International Company for Touristic Development (Intours), a leading real estate company that is the investment and development arm of International Group for Investments (IGI).

Gardenia Park II is located in a private and secluded setting, and is designed to cater to your need for refinement, sophistication and serenity. Strategically built with a slight elevation above sea level, this esteemed residential compound is only 20 minutes from Mohandiseen and overlooks the pyramids of Giza.

Nubia Sharm Resort

The exquisite Gardenia Park II consists of 300 units on a large 80-feddan plot of land. The plot areas range from 320 to 1,400 square meters and the developed areas range from 270 square meters to 460 square meters. Gardenia Park II offers five distinct options: “Acacia” imperial separate villas, “Carnation” standalone villas, “Daisy” semi-attached villas, “Sunflower” townhouses, and special “Lily” condominium units. If serenity is what you’re after, it’s Gardenia Park II. Don’t miss the chance to live Gardenia.

The Golf Residence is life from a new perspective. Overlooking the famous Dream Land Golf Club, Golf Residence is an elegant community of exquisite European-style apartments, arranged amidst landscaped gardens and the course itself.

Surrounded by the large, rolling greens of Dream Land Golf and wide streets (ranging from 18 to 24 meters across), Golf Residence apartments boast total privacy. But the real bonus is the 24-hour golf view, without charge for service, maintenance or landscaping. But you don’t only have to look: Golf Residence covers a membership to Dream Land Club, garage space for one car, a storage room in the basement and the benefits of the building’s common sunroof. The shopping center and Dream Park, complete with a restaurant, market, kiosks, and a tobacconist, are just a short walk from your apartment.

El-Hayat Sharm Resort

Fifteen minutes away from Mohandiseen and the Pyramids is the Rayhana Compound. The compound boasts a unique location, adjacent to NileSat and the Movenpick Resort. It is also close to both Dream Park and the Hilton Golf Resort, and only five minutes away from Dar El-Fouad Hospital and five world-class universities.

The compound has six types of singles, semi-detached and townhouses to suit individual tastes, all with beautiful Mediterranean architecture. Vast green areas make up 82 percent of the compound space, in addition to parks, walkways and roads. The main arterial road is 21 meters wide with a unique eight-meter walkway on each side and majestic king palms on the central median.

The concept behind Beverly Hills is to provide a full-fledged complex, complete with residential, commercial and business areas. Just 15 minutes away from Lebanon Square in Mohandiseen and 30 minutes from Tahrir Square, it is easily accessible via the Cairo-Alexandria and Cairo-Dahshur highways. Water, electricity and telephone lines are available.

Conceived as an extension of Mohandiseen, only 23 km away, Beverly Hills targets both Egyptian upper- and middle-class clients, offering apartments that range from 149 square meters to 297 square meters. Villas built on 700 square meter tracts can be bought as semi-finished units. Units are available in the second phase, which should be complete with the full landscape within the next 12 months. Construction is allowed on up to 35 percent of the land, while the rest is allocated to the private garden.

Aimed at young couples tired of the hustle and bustle of the city, Sheikh Zayed, just 20 km from Mohandiseen, boasts well-maintained, clean roads, greenery and telephone lines. Everything from grocery stores, a butcher and baker to a pharmacy, is available only a stone’s throw away.

Just three or four kilometers from Sheikh Zayed residences is the Sixth of October Club, and within six to 10 kilometers there are a variety of public and private schools and kindergartens, as well as Sixth of October University. An air-conditioned bus service is available from Mohandiseen to the main terminal in Sixth of October, from which micro- and mini-buses can take you to Sheikh Zayed.

One of the newest all-inclusive compounds in Sixth of October City is First Heights, across from Sheikh Zayed. Enjoy ‘life at the top’ on a compound with 80 percent of its land allocated to sloping green areas, with tracts starting at 413 square meters. Residents can make use of the swimming pools and tennis courts, as well as a social club. Additionally, First Heights features 24-hour maintenance service and security. The last section of villas is not yet up and running. Villas are priced at LE 600,000, and available upon payment of 25 percent of the total sum. Installments can be made over a period of four years with no interest.

Another new addition to the area is Royal City, where developers promise you will feel like royalty. Gorgeous landscaping highlights first-class amenities and facilities, courtesy of the Babatain Kuwait group. Royal City is conveniently located just 20 minutes from the 26th of July flyover.

The Mena Garden City project is built over an area of 240 feddans. Its 427 villas cover a mere eight percent of the total area, while the remaining expanse is allocated for parks, a health club, and entertainment and commercial centers. Residents can enjoy the 45-feddan sports club, which houses courts for tennis and squash, a mini-golf course, indoor stadiums and an artificial lake. For families and teens, an entertainment center is built over an area of 13 feddans, complete with restaurants, cinema and a shopping center. The highlight of Mena Garden City is a 14-feddan health resort centered around a five-star hotel, boasting 140 double rooms and suites.

On the other side of town, along the Cairo-Ismailia Desert Road, is El-Shorouk City, distinctly designed to provide a rare blend of timeless tradition and cutting-edge convenience. It offers a broad range of floor plans with an impressive variety of special features to cater to your unique lifestyle and preferences. Down Suez Road, it’s just 20 minutes away from the heart of Heliopolis. The area’s biggest attraction is undoubtedly the new Heliopolis Club branch, as well as various international learning institutions such as the British University in Cairo, branches of reputable Cairo schools and the Shorouk Academy.

Built over an area of 211 feddans, 175 of which are above sea level, currently vacant villas in Green Land range in size from 240 to 600 square meters. This new type of integrated city offers its residents a healthier lifestyle, as well as better municipal services compared to other developments.

Located in the center of El-Shorouk City, Green Land is a mere 20 minutes away from Heliopolis. One of the main features of the project is a sports club, with tennis courts and football fields as well as swimming pools. Green Land also houses a commercial center, a recreational center, a social club and a mosque.

Owned by textile mogul Mohamed Farid Khamis of Oriental Weavers, which also owns the adjacent Shorouk Academy and is working on the British University in Egypt (BUE), El-Nakhil is one of Shorouk’s most exclusive compounds. Shaded, leafy streets wind around sophisticated villas built on large plots of land. Up to 40 percent of the land is for development, with the remainder allocated to gardens. Residents can make use of their own club, medical services unit and mini commercial mall.

The company is now working on the fourth phase, which is constructed on the highest hill in the Shorouk district. Prices range from LE 700 to LE 1200 per square meter of undeveloped land, depending on location.

Unlike a number of other recent suburban developments around Cairo, New Cairo ensured that all the infrastructure and amenities were in place before the residents arrived — which is why so many schools chose this area to build bigger and better premises. It’s also home to a number of universities. The heart of it all is the Katameya empire, close to the JW Marriott Hotel. The area has recently witnessed a building frenzy and has thus far proven a sound investment option. Plots of land are available but it’s inside the compounds where you’ll find the rich and famous.

As exclusive as they come, these three compounds are home to a number of the capital’s landed gentry, and the environments are decidedly upper class. Lucky owners who snapped up Katameya Heights, the first compound, are unlikely to give up their property; Al-Ahly for Development, which executed the project, quickly began offering the idyllic Katameya Residence. Located on 67 feddans between the Mubarak Academy and Mirage City, the compound is home to 161 harmoniously designed villas, 146 townhouses and 54 semi-detached villas. Owners can make use of the sports and social club and need not leave the compound to find a supermarket, dry cleaners, pharmacy and clinic.

Al-Ahly has also been lucky with Katameya Hills, which is perched atop a green, rolling hill. With virtually no pollution, this exclusive enclave might justly be thought of as the very epitome of splendid isolation. Despite its seclusion, Katameya Hills is only 10 minutes away from Maadi and the Mounib Bridge link, and is served by several fast trunk routes into Cairo itself. Covering an area of 35 feddans, the project consists only of villas, numbering only 112. Each is set in its own grounds. Light, spacious, exuding modernity while retaining the restrained architectural lines of the Classical age, this small collection of villas enjoys stunning vistas. For those who aspire to the heights, this hilltop refuge is, above all others, the place to be.

Easily accessible from central Cairo, Moon Valley is situated in a prime location on the arterial road running through New Cairo City. The Valley is opposite the Future University and close to the new campus of the American University in Cairo.

Moon Valley consists of 122 villas, with over 85 percent of the total area dedicated to landscaped parkland. In the center of the compound is the club, surrounded by 1,250 square meters of lakes, as well as a theater, spa, children’s playground and indoor and outdoor swimming pools.

A dream come true, Moon Valley is ripe for those who wish to enjoy all the pleasures of life. The commercial center outside the compound includes a shopping center, restaurants and other facilities.

One of the most popular Cairo suburbs, El-Rehab covers an area of six million square meters divided into six equal sections, each covering 220 feddans. Educational, health, commercial, recreational and maintenance facilities are shared among the different sections. A fully-equipped medical clinic with 24-hour ambulance service is available, and mosques, language schools, a sports club and a mall are fully operational. Located at the north-east side of New Cairo, where the eastern ring road intersects with the Cairo-Suez Road, it is 20 minutes away from Heliopolis and Nasr City, and 30 minutes from Downtown.

The residential buildings consist of 20 different models, and range in sizes to satisfy all needs and tastes, up to a maximum of five floors. Distributed in clusters, the buildings are surrounded by green areas and connected with pedestrian passages. Facilities are within walking distance of every residential cluster and each cluster has its own parking lot.

Ten minutes from Heliopolis and Nasr City lies what developers believe will be the ‘future of modern residence’ — Golf Town. Obour City’s new area (on the Cairo-Ismailia Road), offers a number of golf courses, in addition to vast expanses of green. Apartment size is from 240 square meters to 271 square meters; prices range between LE 2,000 to 2,200 per meter. Pay 50 percent, and have your apartment ready. Installments can be made over ten years.

There’s a clubhouse, pool, 24-hour security, the Geroland fun fair, a Mövenpick hotel and the Cairo AC Milan club. Villa sizes start at 1,300 square meters. All villas overlook the Golf Course.

Ever since Carrefour opened its doors, the Maadi stretch of the Ring Road has witnessed a building boom like no other. With work on the Shooting Club currently under way, more and more people are looking into this area, whose location is easily accessible from virtually every major district in Cairo.

Inside the Palm City compound is the Alolaia Plaza, a gated apartment complex with units overlooking either the garden or the pool. Amenities include security, elevators, a central cable TV network, private garage and an intercom. Unit sizes range between 89 and 350 square meters, with a square meter costing around LE 1,100 to LE 1,500. Buyers can opt to pay in installments at no interest.

Opposite the new Shooting Club and Maadi Club, 400 meters from Carrefour, is one of the area’s most exclusive compounds. Units range in size from 120 to 335 square meters, overlook wide green areas and are designed to guarantee privacy. The compound has club and entertainment facilities. The company is also launching Rama El-Safwa, with units up to 440 square meters.

The company continues to come up with new projects under the supervision of Chairman Mohamed Morshedy. Rayhana has luxurious international designs, but prices are reasonable compared to others in Maadi, which makes it an outstanding chance for buyers. Prices are expected to rise in the near future due to the residence’s excellent facilities. The compound features swimming pools, vast green spaces and is located at the intersection of four main roads. Installment plans are available.

The summer destination of choice, the North Coast has had some competition lately from newer development areas, but with its fantastically cool summer weather, back-to-back resorts and wild nightlife offerings, it’s still the place to see and be seen every July and August.

These four resorts, owned by Mena Touristic and Real Estate Investment, are located at kilometers 86, 85, 76 and 72 along the North Coast in Alexandria. Construction does not exceed 15 percent of the total area, with the rest allocated to gardens and parks. Built on several levels, most units are granted a sea view. The center of the resort houses the entertainment and services area complete with shops, a fully equipped health club, sports courts, clinic, cafeteria, a restaurant, swimming pools, a large mall, an open theater and a conference hall. The administration also provides sophisticated maintenance and security systems that operate all year round. Units are now available at Mena 4.

This project is located on kilometer 105 from Alexandria, 325 kilometers from Cairo and 190 kilometers from Marsa Matruh. Designed to enhance the nature of the coast, it features the first international Yacht Marina on the eastern part of North Africa. The marina encompasses a resort, a hotel, the Venice Canal Mall, Spa Complex and the Porto Marina Residence and Golf. The place has also proven to be one of the best spots in Marina El-Alamein, with a number of shops of the best brands. Restaurants and coffee shops are abundant and the nightlife is amazing. Coming soon is Porto Sokhna, a huge project in Ain Sokhna similar to Porto Marina.

Only 45 minutes away from Borg El-Arab International airport, Golden Beach Borg El-Arab resort is located 47 kilometers west of Alexandria. It boasts a 600-meter beach on the Mediterranean coast. Only 20 percent of this 400,000 square meter resort is covered with villas. The villas are built on various levels to guarantee sea views for all residents. The resort offers plenty of facilities and the highest level of privacy, due to its no-rent, no-day-use policy. Tennis courts and football and croquet fields cover a considerable part of the area. Beside the swimming pools available across the area, there are two major pools; one with fresh water, and the other connected to the sea. There are also go-karts available for recreational use, and an open-air movie theater on the weekends around the cafeteria.

Covering an area of over 57 feddans, 60 percent of which are gardens and facilities, Palm Beach Resort consists of chalets and villas that satisfy all needs. Complete infrastructure, including a sewage system, water supply, electricity, medical care and telephone lines, is available. Chalets are sold either as a ground floor with a garden or a first floor with a roof. The resort has several restaurants, shops and grocery stores and recreational facilities include tennis courts and swimming pools. Fully operational maintenance and security offices take care of any problems.

Virginia Beach Resort is located on kilometer 84.5 of the Alexandria-Matruh Road. It covers amenities such as 24-hour security and maintenance, air travel ticket and business center, emergency clinic, ambulance, commercial center, electric generator, fire bridge, police station, banks, health clubs and mosques.

El-Marwa Resort is located 40 kilometers from Agami, 10 kilometers from Borg El-Arab and 45 minutes away from Alexandria. The resort has five pools, each with a designated children’s area. Other recreational facilities include tennis and basketball courts, bowling alleys and kids’ play areas. There are separate bicycle lanes and pedestrian walkways along the private beach. In the heart of the resort are the mosque, movie theater and commercial outlets. Buyers can choose between villas with private gardens, chalets or flats; all units have cable TV and telephone lines. Chalet prices range between LE 400,000 and LE 500,000. New owners move in upon payment of 30 percent of the total sum; installments are made over three to four years.

Located about 60 kilometers south of Cairo’s Ahmed Hamdi Tunnel, Ras Sudr occupies a zone extending some 95 kilometers along the Sinai Coast. At one time, it was only a quiet coastal town, locally known for wind surfing, but today it sports new tourist facilities, and also boasts shops and private villas. Ras Sudr is particularly popular given its close proximity to Cairo and its moderate year-round climate. The area enjoys a number of natural assets, including deserts; mountains; valleys; beaches with small, sandy gulfs; and signature therapeutic sulfur springs.

La Hacienda is a Spanish-style resort located in Ras Sudr almost 90 kilometers from Ahmed Hamdi tunnel. High-standards service and sea views are guaranteed. The weather of Ras Sudr is like a spring breath, unlike that of the North Coast and Ain Sokhna. The resort offers a health club, restaurant, cafe and laundry for both real estate and hotel, as well as sports facilities for ping-pong, tennis, volleyball and football. Entertainment is guaranteed at the resort’s Shisha Corner, beach DJ and open-air cinema. The resort is also equipped with a conference room and computer lab.

The first phase of Paradise Beach Resort on Ras Sudr’s Ras Matarma Bay was completed in 1999, and the second phase is currently ready as well. The resort has a small, 50-room hotel, and for a fee, chalet and villa owners can make use of the hotel’s room, laundry and housekeeping services. There is a 2,000 square-meter swimming pool, in addition to Ras Sudr’s pristine beaches. Ras Sudr is popular for fishing, and there are tennis courts and a kiddies’ area for land-lovers. Chalets are sized from 80 to 130 square meters, and ground-floor units have a private garden, while those on the second floor include a roof. A handful of villas are also available.

Ideally situated 120 kilometers away from Cairo, Ain Sokhna combines all the things you love in a Red Sea resort with the added value of being very close to home.

The resort boasts breathtaking landscaping, a hotel, entertainment and commercial centers and a health resort. It has seven swimming pools and a 30,000-square-meter mini golf club— the first in Ain Sokhna. Villas range between 200 and 275 square meters; all come with a private garden.

Building upon the success of Wadi Degla Sporting Club, club owners have set their sights on Ain Sokhna. Marina Wadi Degla is situated on a total area of about 223,000 square meters, including a 282 meter-wide beach. The resort will feature 150 villas and 150 chalets overlooking the sea, surrounded by landscaped gardens, a multi-purpose beach court and an aqua center. The new property will also incorporate a well-equipped sports camp, ready to welcome international club teams in various sports activities for training and relaxation. The resort will include a hotel with 150 apartments and restaurants, squash courts, tennis courts, football fields, multipurpose courts, gym and spa. Prices start at LE 200,000.

This gorgeous getaway is carved into the mountains facing the Ain Sokhna waterfront. Splendid views and well-maintained roads wind up the mountain and take residents to their respective properties, which are built on different levels, each with a unique view. A footbridge passes over the main highway for easy beach access. Work is almost finished on the mammoth hotel and chalets can be rented per night.

Located on the Mediterranean, Marsa Matruh is distinguished by its seven-kilometer-long beach, which, as most visitors have testified, is one of the most beautiful in the world — known for its soft white sand, almost transparent sea and beautiful rock formations acting as natural breakwaters.

The highlights of Canaria Beach are its palm trees, clear water and the simple, clean design of its villas and chalets. It combines the advantages of being both a permanent home and a summer resort. Its facilities include a commercial, medical and business center, eight swimming pools, green areas, parks and an open-air theater.

World-renowned for their unmatched diving and snorkeling, these Red Sea resorts have become the choice spots for European visitors. With the vibrant nightlife of Na’ama Bay and shopping to match, they cater to a variety of escape-seekers, who may be just as happy dancing the night away as they are sitting with a book by the Red Sea.

This resort incorporates the elegance of Nubian architecture with the natural beauty and serenity of the surroundings of South Sinai. It is located 15 minutes from the heart of Na’ama Bay and five kilometers from the new airport. The resort, which aims at establishing an integrated tourism, housing and sports complex, has all the facilities needed for a great vacation: a five-star hotel, diving center, and health and beach clubs.

The project also includes villas and condominiums with a range of prices to meet every taste and budget. The units are fully furnished with all the necessary amenities such as satellite TV, telephones, air conditioning, and a fully equipped kitchen. The villas are 240 square meters each over two floors, with roof terraces, private gardens, garages and swimming pools, maid rooms, and super lux finishing. Apartment sizes run from 45 to 128 square meters with two designs. With installments of up to 36 months, the residential and investment opportunities of this resort are unbeatable.

Ideally located at the end of Na’ama Bay near the Roman Theater, Gold Sharm Resort offers splendid sea views to its residents and visitors. The resort comprises more than 300 guest rooms in addition to the stunning villas on available for purchase, with sizes of 247 square meters. With only a 20 percent building-to-land ratio, the resort enjoys a stunning landscape while nevertheless offering numerous amenities, such as an extravagant shopping arcade, health club, diving center, sports courts and a private parking area, a must for residents of Na’ama Bay. The project’s size is massive — 72,000 square meters — making it seem like an entire city in itself. The emergence of this project marks a well-needed boost to Sharm’s real estate market — where prices were skyrocketing, but few projects actually offered quality living. With such an ambitious new project underway, many expect that the market will begin to shift towards this type of building in the future.

Currently under development, Del Mar is a gated community project in El-Montazza area in Sharm El-Sheikh. It will be a mix of villas, town houses and condominiums. Encompassed within the community will be pools, pharmacies and dry cleaners. The style of the development will focus on the pleasant landscape and natural materials. The well-designed units will feature stunning natural light with large terraces and tranquil gardens. Egypt’s year-round pleasant weather and Sharm’s charm and beauty make it the perfect place for retirement and for vacation homes. Sharm’s access to Europe, availability of services and competitive housing prices will fuel this demand even more in the next few years. Del Mar targets the European market as well as Egyptians living overseas who aim to have a home in the pleasant city of Sharm El-Sheikh.

This 8,580-square-meter project, nestled in the heart of Hurghada and only five minutes from the airport, is situated on Mohamed Saeed Street in El-Kawthar area, which is within walking distance from the famous promenade and Esplenada mall. The 185 flats come in a variety of layouts, sizes range from 75 to 225 square meters and sea views are available. The project has an outdoor swimming pool, 40 commercial stores and a private parking area. Rental prices in the compound range from LE 1,500 to LE 3,500 depending on the season, and a six month installment plan is currently being offered.

The area of Nabq Bay in Sharm El-Sheikh offers excellent investment opportunities to those looking for the next big thing in the real estate market. El-Hayat Sharm Resort is one such project, consisting of 68 apartments, each 105 square meters in size, with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, reception area and an American kitchen. The resort has numerous facilities such as swimming pools, a children’s playground and a health club, in addition to an attractive commercial mall and a four-star hotel. Additionally, it offers 24-hour security, housekeeping, and man-made lakes and waterfalls. With prices ranging from LE 350,000 to LE 600,000, the resort is an affordable option while still maintaining an upscale appeal. Only 3.5 kilometers from the Sharm El-Sheikh International Airport, this resort has all the trimmings of an excellent weekend getaway or a permanent residence.

Special housing projects and resorts aren’t the only way to luxury living in Egypt. For those who can’t resist the bustle of the city or the charm of Cairo’s older buildings, there are plenty of options — without ever leaving home.

Conveniently located in the southernmost part of Cairo, Maadi is generally known for attracting the expat community. Foreign nurseries and schools are found on every street corner. Maadi has many cozy, family-owned restaurants and comfy cafés. Another advantage is its location near Carrefour, the one-stop-shopping venue. The beauty of the district is in its combination of modern and classical architecture, and its network of shaded roads, which provide ample parking. Lots of bank branches, shopping malls and cinemas are nearby, as are the Maadi Club and Degla Valley Sporting Club. Metro stations in central locations keep you connected with the rest of Cairo. And if you’re driving, the Autostrad, Ring Road and the Mounib Bridge make even the farthest areas just minutes away.

The cost per square meter can run anywhere between LE 3,500 to LE 6,000 in Corniche El-Maadi, while in Old and New Maadi it ranges from LE 8,000 to LE 25,000, depending on the quality of the finishing and the area. Renting an apartment can cost from $500 to $7,000 per month, also depending on the quality and the area. Rents in Egyptian pounds are available, but increasingly hard to come by. Expect to find flats in the LE 1,000 (New Maadi/Nerco) to LE 6,000 range.

This area is one of the hottest (and most expensive) mainly because of its prime location. Zamalek is a natural island in the Nile, housing most of the embassies in Cairo — making it a very safe place to live. The turn-of-the-century architecture is one of Zamalek’s biggest aesthetic draws, where grandiose villas from days gone by grace most street corners. Zamalek is known for its great eateries, many of which have been around for ages. It is also an art-lover’s haven, with a slew of private and public galleries and cultural centers including the Cairo Opera House and El-Sawy Culture Center. Apartments range from LE 5,000 to LE 12,000 per square meter; Nile views cost from LE 3,000 to LE 6,000 per square meter. Renting a flat can cost $500 to $3,000 per month, but bargains are often available.

Located on the northeast tip of the capital, Heliopolis is indisputably the best-maintained Cairo neighborhood. It has wide streets (probably the widest in the city) and lots of greenery, including the International Garden and the Children’s Park in nearby Nasr City. Heliopolis is also the closest neighborhood to the airport and houses Cairo’s National Stadium complex. A bustling area, rife with cinemas, theaters, restaurants and clubs, many consider Heliopolis the jewel of the real estate market.

The cost of renting a flat is between $3,000 and $6,000, with buying costs around LE 2,500 to LE 6,000 per square meter. Renting in the Sheraton Heliopolis area costs LE 3,500 to LE 7,000; the price per meter is between LE 2,500 and LE 3,500. Renting in Ard El-Golf ranges between LE 3,500 and LE 10,000, while buying ranges from LE 2,000 to LE 5,000 per square meter. And a square meter in El-Korba ranges from LE 4,000 to LE 6,000, while renting an apartment goes from $1,200 to $3,000. All prices depend on the finishing of the apartment.  et