Egypt Transforms Old Interior Ministry Headquarters into a Luxury Tourist Complex in the Heart of Cairo

In an unprecedented move, Egyptian authorities announced the transformation of the old Interior Ministry headquarters in the Lazoughli area of downtown Cairo into a comprehensive tourist and hotel complex, following the ministry's official relocation to its new headquarters in the Fifth Settlement.

The new project aims to utilize state assets, maximize returns, attract foreign investments, and create partnerships with the private sector.

The Ministry of Investment stated that the project will include a hotel managed by Marriott International, hotel apartments, a creativity center, office and commercial spaces, recreational facilities, and venues for cultural activities.

The historic building features the Sherif Pasha Path, dating back to 1913, which adds a unique archaeological character to the project.

The complex will include 364 hotel rooms, 35 commercial units, and administrative and recreational spaces covering 20,000 square meters, providing 3,000 direct job opportunities and 10,000 indirect ones, with completion expected in the first half of 2027.

Investment Minister Hassan Al-Khatib confirmed that the project reflects the strategy of the Egyptian Sovereign Fund to transform underutilized assets into large projects that generate income for the state and open job opportunities for youth, emphasizing that the goal is not sale, but maximizing financial returns and preserving the rights of future generations.

The Lazoughli area is part of Egypt's political and architectural history, named after Muhammad Lazoughli Pasha, the powerful man and right-hand man of Muhammad Ali Pasha. The area once included palaces and facilities belonging to the ruling elite before it transformed into an administrative and governmental center near Abdeen Palace.

This ambitious project is part of the state's plan to alleviate congestion in downtown Cairo and revive historical areas with a cultural and recreational character that attracts tourism and investment simultaneously, making Lazoughli a symbol of history and modern transformation in the heart of the capital.