A bold mix of green ambition and hospitality muscle, the ‘Kenz’ development signals a new chapter for upscale urban living in Egypt.
Ahmed Ehab had the look of a man with a plan. Standing under Cairo’s blazing June sun, the CEO of Madaar Developments spoke not of cautious growth or hedged bets — but of scale, clarity, and, frankly, grandeur. Last week, his company launched “Kenz,” a $592 million luxury real estate project in New Sheikh Zayed, West Cairo — with a promise to deliver not just homes, but a lifestyle reimagined for the city’s wealthy and aspirational.
The announcement came with plenty of numbers, but it’s the vision those figures back that’s drawing attention.
Low-Density, High Hopes: Inside the Kenz Blueprint
Spread across 200 feddans — or roughly 840,000 square meters — Kenz won’t be another concrete jungle. At least that’s what Madaar insists.
Only 12 percent of the land will be developed, with the rest left open — a deliberate nod to the rising demand for post-pandemic green living. The centerpiece? A sprawling 65-feddan car-free central park, the largest of its kind in Greater Cairo.
That’s not a typo. It really is car-free.
The plan includes 1,500 units in total, from compact apartments to sprawling villas. Most will overlook that giant park. The vibe here is clear: modern urban tranquility with a splash of luxury.
One small paragraph here, just to ease in.
Hotels, Hospitality, and High-Stakes Growth
If residential ambitions weren’t enough, Madaar is also diving deeper into Egypt’s hospitality sector — hard.
The company confirmed it plans to deliver nine hotels across its projects in West Cairo, the North Coast, and Ain Sokhna. That’s in addition to serviced apartments planned for Kenz itself, meant to lure investment-focused buyers riding the Airbnb wave or tapping into Egypt’s growing health and wellness tourism sectors.
Ahmed Ehab said the hotels aren’t an afterthought. Quite the opposite — they’re at the core of the Madaar blueprint.
-
A five-star hotel run by an unnamed “global hospitality brand” will make its debut at Kenz, marking the brand’s first foray into Egypt.
-
Azha El Sokhna will host a 180-room beachfront resort, scheduled to open before the year ends.
-
Azha Ras El Hekma on the North Coast has 50% of its infrastructure complete, with its first phase due by 2026 and final handover by 2029.
Construction Spending Kicks Into Gear
Madaar is putting its money where its plans are.
The company confirmed it has committed EGP 6 billion — or $118 million — in fresh construction spending across Kenz, Azha El Sokhna, and Azha Ras El Hekma.
That funding will support both residential and hospitality buildouts. No borrowing was mentioned, hinting at solid cash reserves or backers with deep pockets. Either way, the diggers are already rolling.
There’s a quiet race happening here. Egypt’s North Coast and Red Sea developments are crowded with marquee names — Orascom, Palm Hills, Tatweer Misr. Madaar isn’t necessarily trying to outpace them. But it sure doesn’t plan to be left behind.
One-sentence paragraph here — just a breather.
The Bigger Picture: Madaar’s Growing Portfolio
To get a clearer view of where this is going, here’s a quick look at Madaar’s project pipeline:
| Project Name | Location | Status | Key Feature | Sales (EGP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenz | West Cairo | Phase 1 in planning | 65-feddan central park, serviced units | 6B expected |
| Azha El Sokhna | Red Sea Coast | Nearing completion | 5-star beachfront hotel | 40B+ total* |
| Azha Ras El Hekma | North Coast | 50% complete | 9 hotels in final delivery | See above |
No fluff here. Just bricks, contracts, and a whole lot of concrete.
Cairo’s Westward Drift Picks Up Speed
For decades, East Cairo was where the magic — and the money — happened. New Cairo, the Fifth Settlement, and the ever-expanding New Administrative Capital grabbed headlines and cranes.
But lately, West Cairo has been quietly making a play of its own.
Projects like SODIC’s VYE, Palm Hills New Zayed, and now Madaar’s Kenz are all shifting investor eyes westward. Connectivity to 6th of October, proximity to Smart Village, and access to newer highways have made this quadrant more than just a bedroom suburb.
Ehab’s bet is that Kenz will turn this growing buzz into something louder.
And he’s probably right.
Why the Numbers Matter More Than Ever
Kenz’s EGP 30 billion total investment isn’t pocket change. But Madaar isn’t throwing that cash around haphazardly. Phase 1 alone is expected to generate 6 billion Egyptian pounds in sales.
This isn’t just about opulence — it’s business.
Buyers, especially upper-middle-class Egyptians and Gulf-based investors, have become savvier. They want guarantees, not promises. Madaar is banking on green space, hotel integration, and phased construction to offer something durable — not flashy.
Also, it’s worth remembering that Egypt’s property market has been under strain. High interest rates, inflation hovering above 30%, and currency fluctuations have slowed some developers down.
Can Madaar Pull It Off?
That’s the big question.
It’s one thing to announce, and quite another to deliver. Madaar has a decent record — Azha El Sokhna’s on-schedule resort, and Azha Ras El Hekma’s steady pace prove that.
But Kenz is different.
The scale is huge. The park’s promise — and the hotel’s brand — will need to deliver in real life, not just in glossy brochures.
Still, Ehab sounds confident. And in Egypt’s overheated real estate sector, confidence — and cash — tend to go a long way.
