During a Field Visit… Minister of Public Business Sector Reviews Progress of the Historic Shepheard Hotel’s Development in Downtown Cairo and Emphasizes Accelerated Completion and Tightened Project Timeline
Eng. Mohamed Shimi: Restoring Shepheard to its Prestigious Legacy as One of Cairo’s Premier Historic Hotels in Line with Global Standards
The Hotel’s Redevelopment Elevates its Rating to Five-Star Status, Expanding Capacity to 269 Rooms and Suites Through a Strategic Partnership with the Private Sector
Eng. Mohamed Shimi, Minister of Public Business Sector, conducted a field inspection tour to review the ongoing development works at the historic Shepheard Hotel, located in the Garden City district of downtown Cairo. The hotel is owned by the Egyptian General Company for Tourism and Hotels (EGOTH), a subsidiary of the Holding Company for Tourism and Hotels, which falls under the portfolio of the Ministry of Public Business Sector.
During the tour, the Minister reviewed the implementation status of the comprehensive redevelopment phases, which include the modernization of the main building, the construction of a new annex wing adding additional hotel capacity, alongside a parking garage, a selection of restaurants, service facilities, and a swimming pool. These upgrades will elevate the hotel’s classification to a five-star rating with a total capacity of 269 rooms and suites, all conforming to the latest international specifications and standards, while enhancing its prime Nile-front location. The project is being executed in partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Al Sharif Holding Group and the global hospitality group Mandarin Oriental.
The Minister convened a meeting with representatives of the investor, the project manager, and the contracting companies responsible for execution. During the meeting, the implementation status, performance metrics, and project timeline were reviewed. Eng. Mohamed Shimi directed all parties to intensify efforts and adhere to the highest standards of quality and efficiency befitting the hotel’s historic prestige. The meeting was attended by Mr. Amr Attia, Managing Director of the Holding Company for Tourism and Hotels, and Mr. Hisham El-Demiry, CEO of EGOTH.
Eng. Mohamed Shimi affirmed that the Shepheard development project ranks among the Ministry’s flagship initiatives in the tourism and hospitality sector. He noted that the revival of this iconic landmark contributes to reinforcing Cairo’s status as a premier global tourist destination and reflects the strategic direction to maximize the utilization of state-owned assets through effective private-sector partnerships, thereby generating sustainable economic and tourism returns.
The Minister further underscored the critical importance of preserving the hotel’s historic character and distinctive architectural identity, as it stands as one of the most venerable hospitality landmarks in Egypt and the broader region. He issued directives to expedite the completion of remaining works and to compress the established schedule for finalizing development and commencing operations.
It is worth noting that the Shepheard Hotel was first established in 1841 in the Ezbekiya district, before being rebuilt in Garden City on the banks of the Nile and reopened in 1957. Saudi Arabia’s Al Sharif Group is undertaking the hotel’s development and furnishing, while Mandarin Oriental Group will assume management and operational responsibilities, incorporating the property into its prestigious portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts worldwide.