Cairo apartments recall Belle Epoque

APARTMENTS inspired by Cairo's Belle Époque era are being offered to Irish investors from €98,000 to €252,000.

In the late 19th/early 20th century, Egypt's capital became the mirror image, architecturally and socially, of Paris. Now a development of one to four-bedroom apartments built in that style are for sale in the Rivoli, New Cairo, an area about 20 minutes' drive from Cairo International airport.

The homes are being sold through developer Damac Properties, the company which is also selling holiday homes in Iraq (see page 1). The Cairo apartments will be in six six-storey blocks which will have landscaped courtyards in a 640,000sq m (6.99 million sq ft) development called Centreville.

New Cairo is home to the American University of Cairo, the German University in Cairo and the Future University in Egypt.

Apartments range from 79-85sq m (850-915sq ft) one-beds costing from €98,000 to 128sq m (1,378sq ft) two-beds at €153,000; 150-166sq m (1,615-1,787sq ft) three-beds for €182,000; and 204sq m (2,196sq ft) four-beds for €254,000. All units come with wooden floors in the entrance, Egyptian mosaic-tiled floors in kitchen and bathrooms, French windows with wrought-iron balconies and white goods.Facilities nearby include parks, swimming pool and sauna, underground parking and children's play area.

Damac Properties, which opened an office in Dublin this year, is a Dubai-based developer. www.damacproperties.com/ie