Interior ministry old HQ to become a boutique hotel
The new project involves repurposing the historic headquarters of the Ministry of Interior in the Lazoghli district south of Tahrir Square in Downtown Cairo into a high-end hotel, according to a statement by The Sovereign Fund of Egypt (TSFE).
This became possible after the government removed the public benefit status of several public properties, including the interior ministry and other ministries' headquarters in Downtown Cairo, transferring their assets to the TSFE to attract new investments and maximize returns for the state budget.
The new hotel, set to start operation in 2029 as the first branch of the boutique hotel brand in the region, will be uniquely located within walking distance of historical landmarks such as Tahrir Square, the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, and the Nile River.
The project would be situated amid a mixture of historical architecture with vibrant buildings and shops.
Reliance Ventures is the hospitality investment arm of Reliance Egypt, a group of companies specializing in bulk commodity trading, logistics, port operations, transportation, mining, minerals, and ready-mix concrete.
Moxy Hotel brand is the newest addition to the Marriott International Group.
The Ministry of Interior was relocated to New Cairo several years ago, as part of a government plan to move state buildings out of congested urban areas and reinvigorate historic districts.
The repurposed old headquarters will offer administrative and co-working spaces, commercial shops and restaurants, and educational and entertainment facilities.
"We are very eager to collaborate with Reliance Ventures to offer a unique experience to visitors," said Vice President for Development-North Africa at Mariott International Shady Hassan.
“We are currently witnessing an increased demand for modern accommodations downtown, and Moxy Hotels will be a prominent addition to the hotel scene in the capital with its fun atmosphere and elegant design," added Hassan.
"This project aligns with the fund's goals to work on projects that repurpose different buildings in a way that resuscitates the area and achieves supreme utilization of its assets through benefiting from its cultural and architectural value," Amr Elhamy, CEO of the TSFE Tourism, Real Estate & Antiquities Subfund, said.
Elhamy added that the Moxy Hotel will be a unique landmark in the area especially as it depends on design and practice.
Moreover, he said Moxy Hotel Downtown will offer modern, smart rooms and suites specifically designed to meet the requirements of travellers with young spirits.
The hotel will also include a health centre, vibrant public spaces, and a creative restaurant for fast meals.