The real estate market in Cairo continues to enjoy strong and steady growth, with the majority of traditional real estate transactions being driven by local buyers. However the branded residences market in Cairo is playing a big role in the growth of the city’s luxury property sector, by attracting international investors, especially from GCC countries who view the market as secure and stable.
With premium luxury hotel brands such as, Four Seasons, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, W Hotels, Sheraton and St.Regis all having a presence in the city, domestic and international buyers from the Middle East Africa and Europe, are all beginning to invest in Egypt’s Capital.
Egypt (predominantly in Cairo) and Saudi Arabia have the most impressive portfolio of pipeline branded residential projects, with the two countries forecasted to experience growth between 800% to 1,500% over the next 5 years.
Cairo has a genuine opportunity to become a branded residences hotspot. The Middle East and Africa has the strongest activity for branded residential development globally with more than 270% growth expected over the next 5 years according to Savills.
This report examines the Cairo branded residences sector, the general real estate landscape in the city, and tourism, that is also driving international property investment.
Branded Residences in Cairo: A Growing Luxury Sector
Cairo’s branded residences sector is expanding and growing quickly, driven by affluent local and international buyers, and the presence of some of the world’s most exclusive hospitality brands.
Branded residences in Cairo are truly world class developments.
A 12% rise in foreign direct investment in real estate in 2024, primarily from GCC countries and driven by new world class branded residences, reflects confidence in Egypt’s luxury real estate market. Residency permits for property purchases is also aiding international property investment.
When it comes to the brands active in branded real estate, Marriott International under their Marriott Residences lead with eight projects, across brands like The Ritz-Carlton, W Hotels, Sheraton, and St. Regis. Key developments include The Residences at The St. Regis Cairo, located along the Nile in central Cairo, and Marriott Residences Cairo in Heliopolis.
The W Residences Cairo, set for a 2026 opening, targets buyers in Zamalek with modern design, while The Ritz-Carlton Cairo, Palm Hills, expected by 2027, offers 150 branded units with views of the Palm Hills Golf Course.
Branded residences in Cairo are priced on average between $2,800 to $5,000 per square meter, commanding a 20 to 40% premium, over non branded luxury homes.
Other global brands contributing to the sector’s growth include, luxury hospitality and residences company Four Seasons with Four Seasons New Cairo Capital at Madinaty, featuring 187 private residences across 210 acres, designed by Pierre Yves Rochon.
Mövenpick Living & Residences Cairo, planned for 2026 in Nasr City, targets upscale buyers with Swiss-inspired amenities. In the more midscale range Swiss Belresidences Manaj will offer a mixture of branded residences and apartments in New Cairo.
Most branded residences are co-located with hotels, ensuring operational reliability and service standards, but we expect more standalone projects to emerge in areas like Garden City, along with more upper midscale brands, to attract a wider buyer base.
The sector benefits from Cairo’s economic growth, with Egypt’s GDP projected to rise at 4.5% annually through 2030, per 2024 forecasts.
As more international brands enter, Cairo’s branded residences market is positioned to grow significantly over the next decade.
High net worth long term tourists also drive demand for branded residences, which generate monthly rental incomes of $4,000-$6,000 for units in Zamalek or Maadi. Cairo’s status as a regional business hub, hosting multinational offices, boosts demand from corporate tenants seeking luxury rentals.
Branded projects generate rental yields of 6-9%, appealing to investors.
Tourism: Supporting Real Estate Demand
Cairo’s real estate market is closely tied to its tourism sector. The city’s landmarks, including the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and the Grand Egyptian Museum, attracted 13 million visitors in 2023, with the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities forecasting 15 million by end of 2025 and with further increases thereafter.
The hospitality sector added 870 hotel keys in Q1 2025, with openings like Hilton Cairo Nile Maadi and Sofitel Cairo Downtown Nile, bringing the total to 27,800 keys.
A 30.5% increase in average daily rates and a 29.1% rise in revenue per available room, per Q1 2025 data, reflect strong tourism performance. This supports branded residences, which often share hotel infrastructure.
We anticipate tourism growth, projected to expand Egypt’s hospitality market to $4.85 billion by 2030 at a 4.25% annual rate, will sustain demand for these properties through the next decade.
A Robust Residential Real Estate Market
Cairo’s residential market remains robust, with 7,500 new units delivered in Q1 2025, increasing the city’s housing stock to 301,100 units, according to the Cairo Real Estate Market Dynamics Q1 2025 report.
An additional 28,500 units are expected by year-end, concentrated in east Cairo. Local buyers account for over 95% of transactions, per JLL, driven by population growth and demand for quality housing.
Sales prices in 6th of October rose 89.4% year-on-year, with rental rates up 90.2%, reflecting limited supply and strong demand.
The market serves diverse segments. Luxury non-branded apartments in Zamalek and Maadi are priced at $1,800 to $3,500 per square meter, with 8% annual appreciation in 2024. Mid-range units in Nasr City and Heliopolis cost $900 to $1,700 per square meter, catering to the middle class.
A shift toward renting is notable. With high purchase prices, many residents lease in upscale areas like Dokki, boosting the rental market.
Landlords are increasingly favoring leases over sales, enhancing investment returns. Gated communities in Sheikh Zayed and Nasr City, with villas priced at $150,000 to $350,000, attract families seeking amenities like schools and retail.
The residential sector’s adaptability ensures it meets Cairo’s growing needs, projected to reach a population of 24 million by 2030.
Retail Sector: Responding to Consumer Trends
The retail market added 27,000 square meters of gross leasable area in Q1 2025, bringing Cairo’s total to 3.22 million square meters. Vacancy rates dropped to 7.2% from 9.2%, with rental rates for super-regional malls up 7.4% and community malls up 11.4%, according to Q1 2025 data.
Outdoor retail in Zamalek and Maadi, focused on food and beverage, outperforms traditional malls, reflecting consumer preferences for community-oriented spaces. Mixed-use developments in Heliopolis, integrating retail with hotel branded residential units, are also gaining traction.
Infrastructure and Economic Factors
Cairo’s real estate growth is driven by infrastructure investment. The development of New Cairo, and the Cairo Metro’s Line 3 expansion, due in 2027, will improve connectivity across Zamalek, Mohandessin, and east Cairo, increasing property values.
New Cairo is a satellite city in the Eastern Area of Cairo, Egypt, administered by the New Urban Communities Authority. The city was established in the year 2000 by merging three ‘new’ towns, (The First, Third and Fifth Settlements), originally on an area of about 67,000 acres which had grown to 85,000 acres by 2016.
New Cairo is built in the Eastern Desert to the east of the Cairo Ring Road, strategically located between Maadi & Heliopolis, two of the most affluent residential districts in Greater Cairo.
The city can be reached easily through the Ring Road, Suez Road and Sokhna Road, it also has a good transportation network of buses and microbuses that make it reachable easily from any areas in Cairo.
New Cairo is centrally located with all types of services and amenities. It is a branded residential hub that is surrounded by major hospitals, international and local companies, schools, universities, entertainment spots, and shopping malls and entertainment spots to hospitals, schools and universities. New Cairo offers a mix of vibrant and the quiet life.
Egypt’s GDP is expected to grow at 4.5% annually through 2030, per 2024 forecasts, sustaining demand from a rising middle class and affluent buyers. Inflation, at 13.6% in March 2025, is stabilizing, and anticipated interest rate cuts of 5-7% by 2027 could reduce borrowing costs, encouraging development.
These factors create a favorable environment for both branded residences and the broader real estate market.
FAQ’S
1. What is driving the growth of branded residences in Cairo?
The branded residences sector in Cairo has strong local demand, 95% of all real estate transactions were from Egyptian buyers, as reported by JLL in Q1 2025, but the growth of branded residences in Cairo is beginning to drive international buyers.
Cairo’s tourism sector, attracting 13 million visitors in 2023 and projected to reach 15 million by 2025, boosts demand from high-net-worth individuals.
Economic growth, with Egypt’s GDP expected to rise at 4.5% annually through 2030, and foreign investment, up 12% in 2024, further support projects like The Residences at The St. Regis Cairo and Four Seasons New Cairo Capital at Madinaty.
2. Which brands are leading Cairo’s branded residences market?
Marriott International dominates with eight projects, including The Ritz-Carlton Cairo, Palm Hills ($2,800-$5,000 per square meter), W Residences Cairo (opening 2026), and Marriott Residences Cairo. Other notable brands include Four Seasons, with its 187 unit Madinaty project ($3,000-$6,000 per square meter), and Mövenpick Living & Residences Cairo, set for 2026 in Nasr City.
3. What are the price ranges for branded residences in Cairo?
Prices for branded residences vary by location and brand. In prime areas like Zamalek and Maadi, units range from $2,800 to $5,000 per square meter, with premiums of 20-40% over non-branded properties. High end projects from luxury hotel brands like Four Seasons The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott can reach $6-7000 per square meter, based on 2024 market data.
4. Are branded residences a good investment in Cairo?
Yes, branded residences offer strong investment potential, with rental yields of 6-9% in prime areas, driven by demand from tourists and corporate tenants. For example, a Zamalek unit can generate $4,000-$6,000 monthly in rent. Cairo’s stable market, with 95% local demand and a growing tourism sector, supports long-term returns
5. How is Cairo’s broader residential market performing?
Cairo’s residential market added 7,500 units in Q1 2025, reaching a total of 301,100 units, with 28,500 more expected by year-end, per JLL. Sales prices in 6th of October rose 89.4% year-on-year, and rentals increased 90.2%.
Luxury units cost $1,800-$3,500 per square meter, mid-range $900-$1,700, and affordable housing starts at $450 in Badr City.
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