Alkan Real Estate Unveils Citadel Plaza, a Landmark Destination Redefining Historic Cairo

Alkan Real Estate, the real estate arm of leading Egyptian conglomerate Alkan Holding, has unveiled its flagship project, Citadel Plaza, a large-scale, mixed-use tourism development overlooking the Citadel of Saladin and adjacent to Historic Cairo.

The project is set to reintroduce Historic Cairo as an active, accessible, and economically relevant part of the city. Developed in coordination with the National Committee for the Protection and Development of Historic Cairo, it aligns with broader national efforts to revive the district and strengthen its role within Cairo’s tourism and urban landscape.

Located to the east of the Citadel, at one of Greater Cairo’s most central and symbolically significant locations, Citadel Plaza is being developed as a contemporary gateway to Historic Cairo, bringing together hospitality, culture, entertainment, business, retail, and conference and exhibition facilities, as well as a curated platform for Egyptian designers and small enterprises in one fully integrated destination.

Spanning approximately 60,000 sqm of land, the project leverages the district’s central location to create a fully active destination designed to support accessibility, circulation, and sustained activity.
A tourism-led gateway to a revitalized Historic Cairo

Citadel Plaza is designed to advance Egypt’s broader tourism strategy, particularly efforts to extend the average length of stay in Cairo and increase visitor engagement, by enriching the visitor experience through the city’s diverse cultural and tourism offerings, while responding to growing global demand for experiential and heritage tourism.

The project will introduce approximately 550 hotel rooms and 70 serviced apartments, expanding hospitality capacity in a central district that is currently undergoing a state-led redevelopment plan focused on upgrading the historic area and transforming old buildings into hotels and tourist attractions. Its mixed-use nature is designed as a complementary component to the state’s vision for the district, sustaining activity throughout the day and into the evening,, establishing a vibrant destination that serves tourists, visitors, businesses, and the broader urban economy.

“To us, Citadel Plaza is a long-term commitment to the future of Historic Cairo,” said Khaled Nosseir, Chairman of Alkan Holding. “This is one of the most significant and underutilized areas in the city, with a central role to play in Cairo’s tourism and economic landscape. Realizing that potential requires a sustained and disciplined approach, as well as close alignment with the state’s direction. Through this project, we are investing with that clarity and conviction, unlocking a district of exceptional value and positioning it to contribute more meaningfully to the city’s future.”

Aligned with Heritage Priorities and National Oversight

Citadel Plaza is being developed in coordination with the National Committee for the Protection and Development of Historic Cairo, ensuring alignment with the planning, architectural, and regulatory frameworks governing historically sensitive areas and their surroundings, in line with UNESCO World Heritage standards.

“Projects such as Citadel Plaza play an important role in advancing the state’s vision for Historic Cairo, by introducing development that respects the area’s heritage while enhancing its accessibility and economic relevance,” said Major General Staff Dr. Khaled Fouda, Advisor to the President for Local Development and Chairman of the National Committee for the Protection and Development of Historic Cairo. “Our focus is on ensuring that projects within this district adhere to a clear regulatory and planning framework that preserves identity while allowing for sustainable activation.”

The project’s design approach is rooted in its context, drawing on materiality, scale, and architectural language that reflects its surroundings and proximity to the Citadel, while meeting internationally recognized standards for development in heritage environments.

Positioning culture as an economic driver

At the heart of the project is Darb El Fenoun, a cultural platform that integrates artisans, designers, and creative entrepreneurs into the core of the destination.
Conceived as both a working and commercial environment, the platform brings together established practitioners and emerging brands, creating opportunities to produce, showcase, and bring Egyptian products directly to the public and tourists.

To support this vision, Alkan has engaged Communitas, a cultural design and branding studio, to shape the project’s identity and placemaking strategy, ensuring that cultural activity is prominently integrated into the visitor experience..

Reintegrating Historic Cairo into the life of the city

Citadel Plaza forms part of a broader effort to reposition Historic Cairo as a more accessible, organized, and economically active district.
The project is designed to improve accessibility and flow, incorporating substantial parking capacity and a structured circulation strategy. This approach accommodates visitor movement while supporting the organization of the surrounding area.

“The long-term development of Historic Cairo depends on aligning urban planning, infrastructure, and economic activity within a clear and coherent framework,” said Dr. Ibrahim Saber Khalil, Governor of Cairo. “Citadel Plaza reflects this approach, introducing the structure and capacity needed to support a more active district, with tourism as a key component of its future growth.”
Delivering Citadel Plaza through strategic phasing

Citadel Plaza is being developed in phases, with Phase I scheduled for completion by Q4 2027 and subsequent phases, including the hospitality component, expected by Q4 2029.
This approach allows the destination to be activated progressively, with each phase introduced in a coordinated sequence that builds momentum while maintaining a clear and cohesive overall vision.

Redefining development in historic urban contexts

As Alkan Real Estate Development’s flagship project, Citadel Plaza sets a new benchmark for development in historically significant urban settings, balancing scale with contextual sensitivity, and commercial activity with cultural relevance.

By integrating tourism, heritage, and everyday urban functions, the project establishes a more continuous and economically active district, reinforcing Historic Cairo’s role within the broader structure of Greater Cairo.