Most people know that Cairo is the capital city of Egypt. It is one of the most popular cities in the world for tourists, welcoming approximately 15 million visitors per year. They want to see iconic landmarks like the Pyramids, dive in to the rich culture, and enjoy the impressive nightlife. However, did you know the city is no longer the seat of government or the administrative centre of the country? We want to have a look at this here and the new $58bn capital 45km to the east. It has some impressive details, including new commercial architecture and landmarks.
The plan
Plans to build a new capital city in Egypt date back to March 2015. A massive 700km/sq site was chosen. It is an ideal location because it’s outside Cairo on the way to the seaport at Suez. The $58bn project provides a new home for the Egyptian Government.
When announcing the plans, the government said the aim of the project was to help relieve congestion in Cairo. It is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, with approximately 20 million residents. The hope is in time 6.5-7 million people will live in the new capital. The move will also hopefully improve air quality in Cairo, a city where pollution can reach dangerous levels.
Progress
In many cases, projects to build new cities only make it to the design phase and then encounter issues. However, the New Administrative Capital has made incredible progress in the last decade. It became the official seat of the government in April 2024.
Amazingly, many districts in the city are now complete as part of the first phase of the project. This includes new commercial architecture, housing, and amenities.
There are some wonderful new landmark buildings in the city. The Grand Mosque has a lovely design, celebrating the Mamluk style. Impressively, it has taken the title of largest mosque in Africa.
The Iconic Tower is also notable. The near 400m tall skyscraper is easily the biggest landmark in the CBD. It has 77 floors, mainly for offices. On completion in 2024, it got the title of tallest building in Africa. It might not hold it for too long though, with the Oblisco Capitale potentially becoming the tallest building in the world by 2030 if it is built.
The New Administrative Capital also has plenty of amenities for the residents. The sports district has a massive 93,000+ capacity stadium, the largest in Egypt and only second to FNB in Johannesburg in Africa as a whole. In time it will also have a swimming pool and more, with an eye to hosting the Olympics in the future. Plus, the cultural district has an opera house, library, and museum.
Talk to us about commercial architecture
Projects like the New Administrative Capital can be incredible for countries and the residents. They are also great for the architecture and construction industries too, showing what is possible with the right designs and sufficient funding.
Coffey Architects is ready to help if you’re planning a project. We have experience with commercial architecture, including mixed use developments. Additionally, we can design housing and homes, public buildings, and more. With a creative time never shy of innovation and thinking outside the box, we are the ideal sounding board for proposals.
So, get in touch if you’d like some help.