Two new hubs have been created to the east and west of Egypt's capital Cairo, and there are plans to develop these hubs with massive infrastructure projects.
Known simply as Westown and Eastown, the multi-use development is projected to cost EG£25bn (£2.73bn, €2.73bn, US$3.57) and is being developed by Egyptian real estate company, SODIC and Lebanese developer, SOLIDERE.
Westown will cover a 1,2m sq m (13m sq ft) site in Skeikh Zayed/Sixth of October City, while Eastown will be built on 860,000 sq m (9,2m sq ft) of land in Kattameya/New Cairo.
The current masterplan for Westown sees the development of seven neighbourhoods with residential, commercial, retail and entertainment as well as hospitality components.
SODIC says Westown will be home to seven hotels offering over 1,500 rooms and serviced flats. They will be equipped with spas and conference facilities. The development has also dedicated zones to restaurants, cafes, cinemas, galleries, sports facilities, health clubs, cultural features and recreational areas.
Eastown will consist of a residential neighbourhood and commercial neighbourhood.
SODIC revealed the project would be financed by various listed companies. The company added that the first residential units in Westown's Forty West neighbourhood would be delivered in 2013.
Forty West will offer 130 fully furnished homes with a piazza that will include restaurants, cafes and retail outlets, a boutique hotel and commercial building.
The project used the services of several large architecture firms from the UK, USA, Germany, France, Egypt, Turkey, Lebanon and Mexico.
