Egypt develops vision to develop Downtown Cairo

CAIRO - 10 July 2025: Many buildings in downtown Cairo have been turned into warehouses, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly criticized during a Wednesday Cabinet meeting.

He said the phenomenon was “unacceptable,” adding that the government has developed a comprehensive vision to develop the downtown area.

Downtown Cairo was established by Khedive Ismail, who ruled Egypt from 1863 to 1879. He ordered his engineers and designers to develop the area in the French and Italian styles. The buildings from the era are a testament to the lavish manner of rule he pursued, but also to the artistic scenery in the large neighborhood. 

Downtown, however, deteriorated over the years, with the lack of maintenance showing on the old buildings. Some buildings turned into schools or hospitals, the lower floors of others turned into shops, and eventually many apartments and buildings into warehouses or even abandoned spaces.