A Trip to Cairo - Why All Eyes on Are on Egypt

A new museum, a new coastline, and a creative scene signalling Egypt’s design-forward future.

The opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum marks a new design era for Giza. Conceived by Heneghan Peng Architects, the $1bn complex aligns formally with the pyramids, its triangular geometry extending the desert’s architectural language. Inside, a six-storey Grand Staircase stages a chronological ascent through Egypt’s history, culminating in the full Tutankhamun collection.

This cultural milestone coincides with a broader shift in Egypt’s built environment. A new Four Seasons complex is under development behind the museum, with pedestrian links planned between hotel and galleries, while upcoming projects from Nobu, Hilton and IHG are redefining the Nile waterfront with a more architectural tone.

In Downtown Cairo, the 1930s Immobilia Building has been reimagined by Egypt Beyond as a suite of restoration-led apartments, combining Art Deco heritage with contemporary Egyptian craft. Further north, the Alam Al-Roum development — a $29.7bn collaboration with Qatar — introduces marinas, resorts and residential enclaves across a 7km stretch of Mediterranean coastline.

Alongside these large-scale interventions, Cairo’s creative scene continues to accelerate. Contemporary artists are reframing heritage through installation, photography and material experimentation, while designers such as Mina Tahir, Fufa and Mohanad Kojak are defining a new Egyptian aesthetic through modern silhouettes and textile innovation.

Together, these movements position Egypt not only as the guardian of an ancient civilisation, but as an emerging centre of architecture, contemporary culture and design-led hospitality.