29 Hoda Shaarawi
Project in Numbers
29 Hoda Shaarawi Building by Al Ismaelia
Area
Number of Tenants
Number of Floors
Acquired Date
Restoration Date
Project in Numbers
29 Hoda Shaarawi Building by Al Ismaelia
Area
Number of Tenants
Number of Floors
Acquired Date
Restoration Date
History
A reflection of history
Located at 29 Hoda Sharaawi Street, the Riche Building was founded in 1908 and later acquired by Frenchman Henry Recine in 1914. Over the decades, it changed hands several times, with each owner adding to its legacy, from a café and theater to a world-class restaurant. “Café Riche” became a landmark of Downtown Cairo’s cultural life, serving as a gathering place for leading Egyptian writers and intellectuals and a hub for political and artistic movements, including the 1952 revolution.
The Process
Restoration Process
Al Ismaelia for Real Estate Investment acquired the property in 2008, recognizing its historical and cultural significance as a cornerstone of Cairo’s identity. The Hoda Shaarawi building includes four floors and a rooftop. With great care, Al Ismaelia is preserving its architectural integrity.
The Process
Future Plans
The development plan envisions transforming the 29 Hoda Shaarawi Building into a hotel, maintaining the authenticity of its historic features while introducing contemporary hospitality standards. This adaptive reuse aims to ensure that Café Riche continues to be a living part of Downtown’s story, where heritage, memory, and modern life coexist seamlessly.
Events Highlights
Moments
At This Location
Cairo Design Week 2025
Society of Play Experience by Cairo Design Week 2025
