The Mystery of Egypt's First Skyscraper: Abandonment and Attempts at Revival
In the heart of Cairo's Zamalek district stands an abandoned skyscraper—a 166-meter high structure that was once envisioned as Egypt's first hotel skyscraper. Despite its ambitious design and a capacity for 450 rooms across 54 floors, the building has remained unused for nearly half a century, shrouded in mystery and controversy. Built during the political ambitions of the early 1970s under former President Anwar Sadat, the project faced numerous obstacles that led to its current state of disrepair.
The skyscraper, which was licensed in 1972, has been the subject of various failed attempts to revive it, with the most recent efforts coming from the Egyptian government. However, these initiatives have also met with resistance, leaving the structure's future uncertain. The building's location near the Nile and its circular design, which offers panoramic views of Cairo, highlights its potential, yet it remains a relic of what could have been.
Administrative Hurdles and Community Resistance
The journey of this skyscraper from conception to abandonment has been fraught with administrative challenges. After Sadat's assassination, the project lost momentum, facing a barrage of bureaucratic obstacles that included construction halts and violation reports. The absence of required parking facilities has been cited as a key reason for its inability to open, despite proposals for alternative parking solutions that have been rejected by local residents and club members.
Community protests against proposed garage constructions in the surrounding green spaces reflect a broader resistance to altering the urban landscape of Zamalek. Prominent figures, including former officials, have voiced their opposition to any plans that would compromise the area's environmental integrity. The building has become a symbol of urban encroachment and mismanagement, with calls for its demolition and reconstruction gaining traction among some media figures and residents.
