Heliopolis

Heliopolis' ancient Egyptian name was Iunu or On. It became known as Heliopolis, or the "city of the sun," during the Greek period. It is the origin of the Ennead, or Group of Nine Gods of creation, named the Heliopolitan Ennead, which is headed by the sun god Aten. It was established by the Belgian industrialist Édouard Louis Joseph, Baron Empain, beginning in 1905. Empain established the Heliopolis Oasis Company, which bought a large stretch of desert some distance to the northwest of Cairo at a low price from the colonial government. His efforts culminated in 1907 with the building of the new town of Heliopolis, in the desert ten kilometers from the center of Cairo. It was designed as a "city of luxury and leisure", with broad avenues and equipped with all necessary conveniences and infrastructure; hotel facilities, such as the Palace Hotel and Heliopolis House, and recreational amenities including golf course, racetrack and park. In addition, there was housing for rent, offered in a range of innovative design types targeting specific social classes with detached and terraced villas, apartment buildings, various properties and tenement blocks with balcony access and workers' bungalows. Empain's own residence however, adopted a unique style, a Hindu palace. Modeled on Angkor Wat in Cambodia and the Hindu temples of Orissa, the palace was erected between 1907 and 1910. It still stands today and remains one of the finest examples of early creative use of concrete, of which it was entirely built. The chosen neighborhood boasted some of the wealthiest Egyptian residences. Modern Heliopolis was originally filled mostly with foreigners and native aristocratic Egyptians. After the 1952 military coup d'état, it became home of much of Cairo's educated middle class. As Cairo’s land has expanded, the once large distance between Heliopolis and Cairo has vanished and it is now well inside the city. Because of the large growth in population, the original gardens that filled the city have mostly been built over. And it is pleasure for Coldwell Banker real estate Egypt & for you to buy or Sell in the city of the sun the real face of our home.

Neighborhood Services

Entertainment: outgoing spots – cafes and restaurants – cinema - Hotels
Shopping: Malls – shops
Services: police security services and civil defense points.
Transportation: major bus stops – taxi - minibus