Downtown Cairo has been one of the most vibrant districts in the city since its foundation in the late 19th century. But since the 1950’s it has witnessed a steady decline in aesthetics and appeal. The ironic contradiction of the rising land prices and an archaic rent control law has led to disinvestment in the district and its buildings. As a direct result, people have been slowly moving out of the area, turning it into a ghost town. In the past few years however, start-up companies and small & medium size enterprises have slowly been coming back to the neighborhood, moving into the apartments left behind and turning the district into a creative hub for the entire city. At the same time, young entrepreneurs and job seekers are getting together to save on the cost of living but also to seek space away from their families that would allow them to further explore themselves. Therefore, Downtown Cairo would be an ideal location for an apartment building concept: The project would be familiar to its new residents
