Seeking to impart the glory of Downtown Cairo to Egyptians from all walks of life, Al Ismaelia for Real Estate Investment sets out on an enthralling excursion of reclamation, restoration and breathing life into design magic; with the intent of reviving the Egyptian identity by restoring Downtown Cairo’s 150- year legacy built by Khedive Isma'il. Through the preservation of Downtown Cairo’s urban gems and the development of mixed-use quality concepts that invite people to live, work and connect. Al Ismaelia for Real Estate Investment seamlessly blends historical legacy with contemporary lifestyle needs to become the first Egyptian company of its kind concerned with Downtown Cairo’s revival.
Al Ismaelia for Real Estate Investment was established in 2008 with the vision to become a leading catalyst for development and a strong driving force that will change the face of urban revival in Egypt and the Middle East.
Al Ismaelia prides itself on being the only Real Estate Investment company specializing in the restoration of heritage buildings in Downtown Cairo. Our objective is to preserve the original architecture while creating new versatile concepts that meet modern business needs. We then reintroduce the buildings for dynamic businesses to choose from commercial, retail, administrative, leisure, entertainment or hospitality spaces what suits their needs.
Driven by a singular passion to create a “Downtown for all”, our vision is to become a strong leading catalyst for change by reviving Egypt’s urban scene, as well as the Middle East’s.
We aspire to revive the lively spirit and faded historic splendor of Downtown Cairo by creating dynamic spaces that inject life around every corner, while introducing mixed-use quality concepts that focus on enriching the lives of the general public through thriving artistic and cultural initiatives.
We have created partnerships with the best-operating partners who share our vision of reviving Downtown Cairo.
Alchemy shares a similar vision and passion for Downtown Cairo as Al Ismaelia for Real Estate Investment. Our design efforts focus on the preservation of the fragile architectural DNA, to re-awaken Downtown’s cosmopolitan character and bring to life an urban narrative that joins the like-minded communities through its energy and enthusiasm.
Alchemy shares a similar vision and passion for Downtown Cairo as Al Ismaelia for Real Estate Investment. Our design efforts focus on the preservation of the fragile architectural DNA, to re-awaken Downtown’s cosmopolitan character and bring to life an urban narrative that joins the like-minded communities through its energy and enthusiasm.
Alchemy shares a similar vision and passion for Downtown Cairo as Al Ismaelia for Real Estate Investment. Our design efforts focus on the preservation of the fragile architectural DNA, to re-awaken Downtown’s cosmopolitan character and bring to life an urban narrative that joins the like-minded communities through its energy and enthusiasm.
As one of Egypt’s leading boutique strategy and design firms, OHK Consultants has led some of the most innovative and impactful urban redevelopment efforts in the region. OHK has collaborated closely with Al Ismaelia for Real Estate Investment working on a spectrum of initiatives including the positioning of Al Ismaelia’s flagship redevelopments as first-of-their-kind green building projects, the creation of a valuation model of Al Ismaelia’s real estate holdings, and a variety of urban design
concepts that synergize with our redevelopment efforts.
Al Ismaelia for Real Estate Investment has partnered with Cairobserver to support publishing and events related to Cairo’s urban and architectural heritage. Cairobserver, founded in 2011, is a web and print open-source platform focused on the architecture and urbanism of Cairo and other cities in Egypt and the broader Middle East. Al Ismaelia for Real Estate Investment has supported Cairobserver’s downtown issue, which focused on the past, present, and future of this unique part of Cairo.
Consoleya is a joint venture between Kamelizer angel investment fund, and Al Ismaelia for Real Estate Investment to empower a new type of work culture in Egypt – a high quality plug and play shared office experience at affordable prices for the new generation of entrepreneurs and nomad professionals. Al Consoleya is managing and consulting premium co- working space projects and creative spaces.
Helping Al Ismaelia with its vision to encompass a “Downtown for all”, Zaro Architects has been present every step of the way. The international team of designers have been providing Al Ismaelia with creative solutions in the realms of Urban Planning and interior design for the retail wing at La Vennoise and the Kodak buildings. Zaro was able to capture and execute Al Ismaelia’s vision accordingly.
Mada Architect is a design build studio with an eco-friendly conscious that provides sustainable approaches in its design solutions. The firm uses locally sourced and natural materials to create contemporary, environmentally and people friendly spaces for Downtown Cairo. They’ve worked on the built form and interiors for both Cafe Riche and Tamara’s common areas. The team managed to maintain the retailer’s facade for brand authenticity but innovate the use of materials and boning.
JLL collaborates with clients for the purpose of growth and building strong communities. As a leading real estate firm, JLL worked with Al Ismaelia as a project manager whose responsibility was to ensure for an on-time and on-budget end result, due diligence, securing zoning and entitlements, selecting project team members, and creating a schedule and budget; which lay the foundation for the rest of the project. The collaboration took place on Kodak’s headquarter office, along with Consoleya and Cinema Radio projects.
Style Designs’ attempts and success in adding substantial value and taste to Al Ismaelia don’t go unnoticed. They provide Al Ismaelia with new concepts of modern and innovative interior design keeping in mind our goals, objectives and strategy. Style Design brings forth comfort as it did priory with Al Ismaelia’s headquarters at the Kodak building and with the up and coming Consoleya building; the first building in Egypt to host co-working spaces.
Mimar Architects envisions architecture as a form of enhancing how we live and develop culture. Mimar’s designs are linked to the problems of heritage, environment and geography. Given that, they are the ideal partners to consult on all Al Ismaelia’s building facade’s. Our focus was to preserve and enhance our heritage and reflect downtown’s streetscape with our facades.
A soul-centric design studio, Rahun approaches a space as an individual, a character built up, giving it an identity and essence inspired from the characters taking it up or its surrounding elements. The concepts are developed through understanding the history and design of the surrounding, human behavior, user experience and most importantly the unique feeling this space can provide; Rahun translates this into design elements & selections to finally give the space a soul. Rahun, Lemon Spaces, and Al Ismaelia have partnered up together to achieve a vision for Downtown Cairo, by renovating an apartment at 22 Abdel Khalek Tharwat with a design that brings together several elements of authentic Downtown Cairo.
Downtown Goes Green with Up-fuse
In 2016, Al Ismaelia for Real Estate Investment partnered with Up‐fuse social enterprise to launch a new initiative under the name “Downtown Goes Green”. The initiative aimed at up-cycling 3,240 plastic bags to use them as decorative art in Kodak Passageway and supporting 9 students from Hay Al Zabaleen to continue their education.
As part of its on‐going commitment to the environment, Al Ismaelia for Real Estate Investment proudly collaborated with Mashrabia Gallery, sponsoring and hosting ‘From Rags to Riches’ workshop at Kodak shops that was open for a whole month to feature 5 artists who created products from reusing discarded materials, drawing attention to the importance of up-cycled public art.
Danup Tree Installation
Al Ismaelia for Real Estate Investment collaborated with Danon and ABn’G studio as part of “Downtown Goes Green” initiative to install beautiful trees and a huge “DOWNTOWN GOES GREEN” 3D text made from Danup used bottles.
Chairman of Al Ismaelia and the master mind behind the Downtown Rehabilitation Project. Shafei is a passionate entrepreneur who has successfully founded and managed an impressive number of companies in the fields of manufacturing, trade and services. His passion for Downtown has been the driving force behind the inception of Al Ismaelia, aimed at regaining Downtown’s lost centrality as Cairo’s city center, and the heart of its society.
Saba is the founder of Beltone Financial and the co-founder of BPE Partners. His expertise spans to cover Hermes Financial as its co – founder which later became EFG Hermes. He is also a founding member of the Egyptian Investment Management Association and the Egyptian Capital Markets Association. Saba holds a Bsc in Biomedical Engineering from Cairo University, an MBA from Wharton, and Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania.
Barakat co-founded and managed BPE Partners and B Investments. He founded and managed several leading companies including Total Egypt, PGESCo, Miraco-Carrier, and MNHD. Barakat holds a Bsc in Mechanical Engineering from the New York Institute of Technology and is a member of the Egypt - based American Chamber of Commerce, the British Egyptian Business Association, and the Egyptian Businessmen’s Association.
Samih O. Sawiris is the founder and chairman of Orascom Development Holding (ODH); a leading developer of fully integrated worldwide destinations like El Gouna, Andermatt and Lustica Bay. Sawiris is a major shareholder of Orascom Construction Industries. He is also a significant stake holder in Lafarage. Sawiris is a member of Sawiris Foundation established in April 2001. Sawiris received his Diploma in Economic Engineering from the Technical University of Berlin in 1980.
AlKhudairy is the Managing Partner of Amwal AlKhaleej, founded in 2004. Prior to that, AlKhudairy managed several companies including Saudi banking institution and Gulf International Bank. He also sits on a number of corporate boards such as Banque Saudi Fransi - Credit Agricole and Fawaz Al Hokair Group. AlKhudairy earned both his Master’s degree in Engineering Administration and his Bsc in Civil Engineering from The George Washington University in Washington D.C.
Saada is the founding partner of Amwal AlKhaleej and Country Head of Egypt operations. He boasts over 20 years of expertise in various fields including Egyptian private equity, investment banking, and capital markets industry. Saada serves on the boards of several Amwal portfolio companies including ACGC, KABO, SPINALEX ,and Al Ismaelia. Saada holds an M.S. in Finance (U.K.) and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the American University in Cairo.
Eman has over 19 years of experience in the Real Estate Consulting and Management. She has engaged in a number of Strategic Consulting assignments, related to diagnostic studies, strategicplanning, market opportunity assessment, financial feasibilities, and international marketing planning; design and implementation of marketing programs. Eman holds a BA in Business Administration from New York Institute of Technology, New York as well as an Executive Masters of Business Administration from IESE Business School of Spain.