Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate announces launch of Cairo Festival City - a festival everyday

The privately-funded, EGP20bn - Cairo Festival City is strategically located at the gateway to New Cairo City on the Ring Road, 20km southeast of greater Cairo and only 15 minutes from Cairo's International Airport. The principal business districts of Heliopolis and Maadi are within easy reach of Cairo Festival City.

The spectacular blend of contemporary themes and creative architecture will ensure Cairo Festival City's position as a focal point for Egypt's capital, while setting new standards in shopping, modern living and family entertainment. The superior master planning and meticulous design of the architecture and landscaping will ensure Cairo Festival City is the paradigm of twenty-first century life.

'Our vision for this remarkable project is to create a vibrant and modern community that will transform New Cairo City into a place that affirms Egypt's position as one of the most progressive and influential countries in the region,' said Omar Al Futtaim, CEO of Al-Futtaim Group.

'With the success of our flagship waterfront mixed use development situated along Dubai Creek - Dubai Festival City, and with the celebrated strength of the different Al-Futtaim brands, Cairo Festival City will represent a new level of excellence in mixed use urban communities, while demonstrating Cairo's capacity to merge cutting-edge modernity with ancient civilization,'

he added.

Brett Schafer, Senior Managing Director, Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate, commented; 'Cairo Festival City blends the best architectural designs and infrastructure within a carefully thought out master plan, to deliver a community with excellent connectivity throughout the development and to New Cairo City. The superior facilities and beautiful landscaping deliver the location of choice for modern living in Cairo.'

Located in the heart of the community is Festival Centre, which, together with Festival Village, will form Egypt's first indoor/outdoor shopping and entertainment destination. Festival Centre, a 140,000 sq m enclosed 3-level shopping centre, will be home to a mix of 250 international and regional retail brands, including Al-Futtaim brands, Toys R Us, InterSport, Ace and Plug-Ins, a hypermarket , multiplex cinema and an exciting choice of over 85 restaurants, cafés and bistros.

Furthermore, Festival Village will be the place of choice when it comes to dining and entertainment, with an array of restaurants located around water features and incorporating an entertainment area which will be the venue for a comprehensive programme of performances.

Integrated into the shopping centre is a 400 room retail luxury hotel extending into attractive landscaped gardens to give a resort feel to the hotel. An extensive banqueting and conference component, a luxurious spa and health club, garden restaurants and a rooftop restaurant will ensure guests have a variety of memorable experiences.

On the opposite side of Festival Centre there will be a further hotel focused on the needs of the business traveller. The hotel will be situated close to the office park and fully equipped with leading edge technology, meeting and conference facilities. The contemporary rooms are designed to blend comfort with efficiency and the adjacency to the shopping centre is a strong feature of the hotel.

Cairo Festival City's residential districts will set new standards in modern living. Oriana Luxury Villas, a secure and tranquil gated residential community with 480 Mediterranean styled villas, is set in a beautifully landscaped setting - rich with communal parks and gardens. Villa owners can choose from Spanish, Italian or French architectural styles and several different configurations from three to five bedrooms.

The American International School, which opened in 2005 provides local children with a first-class education based on the American national curriculum. Students benefit from the most advanced learning techniques, complemented by a wide variety of extra curricular activities.

Among the many aspects of the project currently in progress is the Toyota automotive park showroom, while the Honda showroom, set in scenic green surroundings, is already open for business. Showrooms for three further leading automotive brands are also planned.

The shopping centre and phase one of the residential units will be completed by the end of 2010 and inauguration of the finished development will be in 2011.

General Manager of Cairo Festival City, Tarek El Shazly commented; 'We have already witnessed the opening of a number of the project's elements. The progress of the development is moving at such a phenomenal pace thanks to the tireless efforts of the entire team involved in shaping Cairo Festival City from the initial designers to the people on the ground. Together we are committed to making Cairo Festival City the best contemporary attraction in Egypt and we share an excitement for witnessing the finished project in its entirety.'

The urban development, which is targeted specifically to Egypt's modern, sophisticated and cultured population, is already directly benefiting the local community by bringing numerous employment opportunities. By the end of 2008, it is expected that 1500 people will be employed by the thriving project, as a further demonstration of the development's illustrious future in Cairo.