The Revival and Construction of The Buildings of Downtown Cairo
Downtown Cairo’s revival movement’s success was due to many factors. Various parties were involved in this project, all the way from the government to privately owned companies. The renovations took place in the year 2008, when almost 18 buildings were refurbished and given life to maintain Downtown’s beauty that was once lost. Al-Ismaeilia as well as the government , shared the same aim; which was to collectively bring back Downtown Cairo.
Dr. Soheir Zaki Hawas, a professor of Architecture and Urban Design at the Faculty of Engineering at the Cairo University, seemed to be very well known in the streets of Downtown Cairo. Back in the year 2002 Dr. Hawas published a book called “Khedival Cairo”, her book featured a detailed well written description of the architectural buildings and their history as well as the streets of Downtown Cairo. “ When I first created the book it covered the boundaries of both “The Ismailian Cairo” and “The Tawfikian Cairo” which were created by the khedives, I was inspired by that so I named it “Khedival Cairo” the three khedives were khedive Ismail, Khedive Tawfik and Khedive Abbas Helmy the 2nd,” said Hawas. The project in itself was a mere reflection of Dr.Hawas’ vision for Downtown Cairo, she collaborated with the government back in 2008 to start working on what was soon to be one of her biggest accomplishments.
During the same year (2008) Al-Ismaeilia Company founded by Karim El Shafei collaborated with Alaa el Sabh former chair of Beltone financials, however they worked separately from the government. The differences between the two projects was that Al-Ismaeilia, the privately owned company was profiting from the renovations while Dr. Hawas’ project, which was government related was not. Dr.Hawas was responsible for the project on paper without receiving any money. When Al-Ismaeilia started buying the buildings and decided to refurbish them, they found out that the buildings were listed which meant that the government’s permission had to be given in order for the renovations to start. In addition, for Al-Ismaeilia to get the permission to start refurnishing they had to get back to Dr.Hawas to go over their blue prints and final plans for what the buildings were going to look like. She gave them her tips on the color scheme for each building, and what the buildings should end up like, so all the refurbished buildings look good as new.
“When the castles were replaced by buildings the elite started to move from Downtown and the middle class started to take over, changes in the activities itself occurred, instead of having handcrafts bookbinders and shoemakers, these places were replaced by stores that sell imported goods all these changes led to have a very neglected Downtown area; it’s very repulsive,” said Moshira Adel, Head of Marketing and Communications at Al-Ismaeilia Company. Al-Ismaeilia wanted to capitalize and to be on top of the changes, they bought 23 buildings to work. Since 2008 they adapted a clear vision of developing Downtown Cairo to make it a place for all people of all classes.
There are a lot of negative connotations when people think of downtown as Adel stated “When people think of Downtown Cairo they think of Sexual harassment, loaded parking’s and traffic.” Having a Downtown for all wasn’t going to be easy, but the company insisted on doing so. Al-Ismaeilia’s portfolio is diverse they wanted to recreate the place to become residential, commercial and have availability of office spaces. Along with the following changes, they want to create a place that people could shop, eat and socialize in, they want to transform and bring back the greatness of Downtown Cairo.
With the massive effort done by both the government and Al-Ismaeilia they were capable of transforming most of the buildings in Downtown Cairo. They both faced various challenges from removing the garbage in the streets to refurbishing buildings that weren’t functioning to convincing and getting the consent of the shop owners to join the revival movement. In order for the revival to be in full affect, investors are needed in order to invest in this gem located in the heart of our city to bring back what was once the Paris of the Middle East.
A Walk Into Cairo Downtown's Resident's Lives
Downtown Cairo, home to the wealthy elite of late 19th and early 20th century, has deteriorated in the past couple years. Reviving Downtown Cairo is a very powerful project that will rejuvenate the city center vibe. A revival could possibly give back its prestigious element that it once had in the eyes of its residents.
For the past couple of years, a few companies took the initiative to liven up what used to be one of the most beautiful and classy areas in Cairo. One of the companies, Al Ismailia for Real Estate Investment who decided that it was time for Downtown to endure a facelift, started renovating buildings they bought back in 2008. The aim of the revival project is to revive Downtown Cairo as a destination for all Egyptians to explore the beauty of these misused, abandoned streets, while admiring the beauty of Downtown’s historic buildings that were designed by prestigious French architects. The capital of Al Ismailia company is 30 million dollars. The fund sources are Samih Sawiris, Saudi investors, and Kareem El Shafei (Founder of the company).
Dr. Soheir Zaki Hawas, Professor of Architecture and Urban Design Engineering in Cairo University has documented Cairo’s 19th century architecture.She is the author of the Encyclopedia on “Khedivial Cairo Identification and Documentation of Urban architecture in Downtown.” We are not just painting the buildings of the beautiful downtown, we are restoring our history,” said Hawas
After talking to various Downtown shop owners and residents, it became clear that the revival could be a very sensitive topic to the people of Downtown Cairo. We discovered that just as there are people who can’t wait to live in and see the changes, some feared the. “When they repaint this building it will lose its beauty, I know some people think that it looks dirty and they hate how it looks but this is our history, it’s old and it should stay that way,” said Ahmed El Adwany, 73, Doorman. hen Adwany understood that the changes will in fact bring positive change to the building and to the wonderful area of Downtown Cairo, El Adwany responded saying that he thinks the aim of the companies is to find a way to get money through changing what Downtown originally looked like and that he feels like our history will be washed away with the old buildings.
On the other hand a few home owners were welcoming the idea of the revival. We spoke to Yara Eteifa who claimed that her parents own a house in Downtown Cairo, and were pleased with Al Ismaelia’s mission. “The building was so dull, the architecture of it was not clear from the dust and dirt that were all over it, the entrance of the building was full of rubbish,” said Eteifa. She added that the building needed a new outlook in order for her family to be able to sell the house. “Despite the real reason behind why Al Ismaelia Investment Company started working on this project or the profits that they are definitely gaining out from it, it came with a benefit to my own family.” Eteifa’s family were very pleased with the outcome of the renovation and were able to rent their house in a much simpler way, due to the building’s new and rich appearance.
After speaking to two people with different educational backgrounds and different mindsets, it was clear that the renovation will mean more to some than others and will impact individuals differently. People who are for the renovations were for it for the beneficial gains they would receive when the project is over. The people who were against it had nothing to gain or in fact lose, but the love they had for the buildings.
The Future of Downtown Cairo
From the past to the present, what does the future hold for the beloved Downtown Cairo? This city has too much to offer, if the right people step up to recreate the life in the heart of the city. All the sectors have a common clear vision of what they want Downtown Cairo to be in the near future. The common vision is to make Downtown Cairo the” it place”, the place for tourists to come visit and for locals to run to for whatever they may need.
“It makes me very happy to see people like you, Egypt’s youth discuss this topic, it makes me at ease to know that the future of this project will be in your hands and I know it’ll will be a good one,” said Dr. Soheir Zaki Hawas a professor of Architecture and Urban Design at the Faculty of Engineering at the Cairo University. Dr. Hawas is hoping for a better future for “Khedival Cairo”, she believes that the only way this will happen is if awareness is raised to what Downtown Cairo is becoming. People aren’t aware of the renovations. Dr. Hawas feels that if people’s mentalities change it will be much easier to have a better future. “When I informed the shop owners of change, no one really understood why I wanted to do this and most of them refused the changed, when the famous “Akher Saa’a” food outlet owner started to renovate, the neighboring shops slowly started to follow.” said, Dr.Hawas. “The Media is not doing its part in regards to this project; they should focus on the beauty of Downtown and persuade people to visit the neglected beauty.” She added.
As Engineer Fatheya Shitwy, CEO of Misr Real Estate Assets Company clearly stated, in order for the future to flow in the right path, everything must be done in timely and legal fashion in which all the correct measurements should be taken.“ we are renovating mentalities were setting up people’s minds, we want Downtown Cairo to be for people from all the different classes; and we want Downtown Cairo to be for all,” said Moshira Adel, head of marketing at Al Ismaelia.
The shop owners in Downtown Cairo, are the ones truly unaware of what the future holds, while most of them fear change, they still aren’t satisfied with their positions in life. “ I don’t know if I want to sell my shop, but I no longer have the energy or the health to come here every day and sit around,” said Atef Abdelmoneim a shoe store owner on El Adly Street. When Abdelmoneim was asked about his prediction for the future of Cairo, he said “I don’t wish to live to see the future of this country because I know if I do it won’t be something that I can adapt to any longer.”
Most of the people are hoping for a greater Cairo and a better future for all, but could Abdelmoneim be right? Could this possibly be the end of his generation's hope? as much as there are people who are collaborating, working day and night to better this country, there are people who have lost hope and feel like the future will in no way benefit them nor their country.
Sources: -http://al-ismaelia.com/, http://www.youm7.com/, http://khediviancairo.com/ , Header picture: labeled for reuse with modification. Article Photo of Groppi building taken by Riham Maher.