![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UV6NRND65IWERMYEOYEQXF7SGM.jpg?smart=true&auth=4bd4a277cfcf540db5cd67f04e08b7c6c768c4dc6a6b4fad000d5122829c0935&width=400&height=225)
Al Masalah (obelisk) park in Zamalek. Nada El Sawy / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/N5A37YVWMJWY2EBSQNFZFW4LQE.jpg?smart=true&auth=0f356dd5df05e30ae7b52133a6393bfb05952cef679901f397db5c12ac936076&width=400&height=225)
Cairo Eye, a 120-metre Ferris wheel, will be built in a park on the island of Zamalek and is scheduled to open in 2022.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/S2RCLKJ3PMQG2KQNZI375PT6VY.jpg?smart=true&auth=3345e597d904ebdce19f1f7c20b592b71be26a6284ba74894d12844c90503f52&width=400&height=225)
Cairo Eye, a 120-metre Ferris wheel, will be built in a park on the island of Zamalek and is scheduled to open in 2022. Hawai
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7AGRFEYMNFRGGQNORAOA2JN3LY.jpg?smart=true&auth=5e5d8f7c3a2bb00519076736ab4f2696a183e06414b9e1b4311d51280e1b5388&width=400&height=225)
The 500 million EGP Cairo Eye development will cover a 20,000-square-metre area. Hawai
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5H6D72AC6JP53KVCKFD2CZIJKA.jpg?smart=true&auth=ff533c74462ba226db58d97e51267d50dd6806f1af9f82f2c587c39f4039257a&width=400&height=225)
The 120-metre wheel with 48 cabins will be the fifth largest around the world. Hawai
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/A5Y3E7IEVLPT6BONHRADHHJ4UU.jpg?smart=true&auth=d6b2eaf0ae82667a452c7ca80ba8c559edb78fc4bb5b69e7027b84dc6e201a77&width=400&height=225)
Cairo Eye, a 120-metre Ferris wheel, will be built in a park on the island of Zamalek and is scheduled to open in 2022. Hawai
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KY27C6PO3NV2V6Y2666M5APSPE.jpg?smart=true&auth=70bde2b697d432e71cb3fa6b95829602441a6e4a9c00f644087aae8a65e7cd3a&width=400&height=225)
Opponents said they are concerned about the effects on traffic, the environment and the site’s heritage. Hawai
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HL3PMQRILKXKLUFKJA44KCKKLE.jpg?smart=true&auth=227f175f621d3d18f977294f2946b567a9b55c7576d78e129042917e40d11c1f&width=400&height=225)
Cairo Eye, a 120-metre Ferris wheel, will be built in a park on the island of Zamalek and is scheduled to open in 2022. Hawai
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/I62VOXY72AYY4IMW4NHWDHSFVI.jpg?smart=true&auth=8d72197f48f4e28ac8dbb040026b740d6e2116ea7c1b1dece37d9b16f8f5ba45&width=400&height=225)
Ahmed Metwally, chairman at Hawai Holding Group, said he cares about Zamalek. Hawai
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Q522OI6E4NHDDKEC7THBY27X5I.jpg?smart=true&auth=54b749ad6274447869b3d16ba9e8855acf92593e887c93f360cd47ab0b0ac1c9&width=400&height=225)
Cairo Eye, a 120-metre Ferris wheel, will be built in a park on the island of Zamalek and is scheduled to open in 2022. Hawai
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QSQBKHFHJILYFS664RPKSVRBD4.jpg?smart=true&auth=0e5c5342a9be54d48eac8896c91773de9bc48ba1b97560bff6e957d21edc5edf&width=400&height=225)
Targeting 2.5 million visitors annually, the eye will offer a view overlooking Cairo’s landmarks up to a distance of 50 kilometres. Hawai
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ALOY26E7X6DO7DTCGJKTT3NNQA.jpg?smart=true&auth=5c7e3165c67171aa617d491d2b05d07199847703d831eb6b819d715850169c17&width=400&height=225)
Cairo Eye, a 120-metre Ferris wheel, will be built in a park on the island of Zamalek and is scheduled to open in 2022.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YD2AF4WNMYV2KVYKRVWRHNY4HU.jpg?smart=true&auth=474d3237eca3ded478e79a87c855bab75fba77e28fa728d9670a8c817a25135f&width=400&height=225)
An illustration of Zamalek in 1897 from the 2013 book "Zamalek: My Home Island" by Wael Abed
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/D6PBQ7ORET6V32ARKWIUIADQ34.jpg?smart=true&auth=ffa6e4930c5a7fd7c970e3821ef235bebed9e6acc514b13bdf1643392b72cd91&width=400&height=225)
Ahmed Metwally, chairman of Hawai Holding, a family-owned real estate and tourism development company. Courtesy Ahmed Metwally
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XQYHFPKND6F3NCEQXA5TWR5K2Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=eda93fbb21b72345d852c502fb8f55cce5e1c9f17036de4f84a9521c4fdc43b4&width=400&height=225)
Dalia Sadany, architect and member of the Egyptian parliament's committee for media, culture and antiquities. Courtesy Dalia Sadany
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Al Masalah (obelisk) park in Zamalek. Nada El Sawy / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EIZ44DUIOUDLD5KLULGV6XBAUM.jpg?smart=true&auth=38bc29de7923e060fefb714d2c3590bb9974111703979ca6bca73cd0323a8543&width=400&height=225)
Al Masalah (obelisk) park in Zamalek. Nada El Sawy / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UV6NRND65IWERMYEOYEQXF7SGM.jpg?smart=true&auth=4bd4a277cfcf540db5cd67f04e08b7c6c768c4dc6a6b4fad000d5122829c0935&width=400&height=225)
Al Masalah (obelisk) park in Zamalek. Nada El Sawy / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/N5A37YVWMJWY2EBSQNFZFW4LQE.jpg?smart=true&auth=0f356dd5df05e30ae7b52133a6393bfb05952cef679901f397db5c12ac936076&width=400&height=225)
Cairo Eye, a 120-metre Ferris wheel, will be built in a park on the island of Zamalek and is scheduled to open in 2022.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/S2RCLKJ3PMQG2KQNZI375PT6VY.jpg?smart=true&auth=3345e597d904ebdce19f1f7c20b592b71be26a6284ba74894d12844c90503f52&width=400&height=225)
Cairo Eye, a 120-metre Ferris wheel, will be built in a park on the island of Zamalek and is scheduled to open in 2022. Hawai
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7AGRFEYMNFRGGQNORAOA2JN3LY.jpg?smart=true&auth=5e5d8f7c3a2bb00519076736ab4f2696a183e06414b9e1b4311d51280e1b5388&width=400&height=225)
The 500 million EGP Cairo Eye development will cover a 20,000-square-metre area. Hawai
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5H6D72AC6JP53KVCKFD2CZIJKA.jpg?smart=true&auth=ff533c74462ba226db58d97e51267d50dd6806f1af9f82f2c587c39f4039257a&width=400&height=225)
The 120-metre wheel with 48 cabins will be the fifth largest around the world. Hawai
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/A5Y3E7IEVLPT6BONHRADHHJ4UU.jpg?smart=true&auth=d6b2eaf0ae82667a452c7ca80ba8c559edb78fc4bb5b69e7027b84dc6e201a77&width=400&height=225)
Cairo Eye, a 120-metre Ferris wheel, will be built in a park on the island of Zamalek and is scheduled to open in 2022. Hawai
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KY27C6PO3NV2V6Y2666M5APSPE.jpg?smart=true&auth=70bde2b697d432e71cb3fa6b95829602441a6e4a9c00f644087aae8a65e7cd3a&width=400&height=225)
Opponents said they are concerned about the effects on traffic, the environment and the site’s heritage. Hawai
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HL3PMQRILKXKLUFKJA44KCKKLE.jpg?smart=true&auth=227f175f621d3d18f977294f2946b567a9b55c7576d78e129042917e40d11c1f&width=400&height=225)
Cairo Eye, a 120-metre Ferris wheel, will be built in a park on the island of Zamalek and is scheduled to open in 2022. Hawai
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/I62VOXY72AYY4IMW4NHWDHSFVI.jpg?smart=true&auth=8d72197f48f4e28ac8dbb040026b740d6e2116ea7c1b1dece37d9b16f8f5ba45&width=400&height=225)
Ahmed Metwally, chairman at Hawai Holding Group, said he cares about Zamalek. Hawai
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Q522OI6E4NHDDKEC7THBY27X5I.jpg?smart=true&auth=54b749ad6274447869b3d16ba9e8855acf92593e887c93f360cd47ab0b0ac1c9&width=400&height=225)
Cairo Eye, a 120-metre Ferris wheel, will be built in a park on the island of Zamalek and is scheduled to open in 2022. Hawai
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QSQBKHFHJILYFS664RPKSVRBD4.jpg?smart=true&auth=0e5c5342a9be54d48eac8896c91773de9bc48ba1b97560bff6e957d21edc5edf&width=400&height=225)
Targeting 2.5 million visitors annually, the eye will offer a view overlooking Cairo’s landmarks up to a distance of 50 kilometres. Hawai
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ALOY26E7X6DO7DTCGJKTT3NNQA.jpg?smart=true&auth=5c7e3165c67171aa617d491d2b05d07199847703d831eb6b819d715850169c17&width=400&height=225)
Cairo Eye, a 120-metre Ferris wheel, will be built in a park on the island of Zamalek and is scheduled to open in 2022.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YD2AF4WNMYV2KVYKRVWRHNY4HU.jpg?smart=true&auth=474d3237eca3ded478e79a87c855bab75fba77e28fa728d9670a8c817a25135f&width=400&height=225)
An illustration of Zamalek in 1897 from the 2013 book "Zamalek: My Home Island" by Wael Abed
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/D6PBQ7ORET6V32ARKWIUIADQ34.jpg?smart=true&auth=ffa6e4930c5a7fd7c970e3821ef235bebed9e6acc514b13bdf1643392b72cd91&width=400&height=225)
Ahmed Metwally, chairman of Hawai Holding, a family-owned real estate and tourism development company. Courtesy Ahmed Metwally
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XQYHFPKND6F3NCEQXA5TWR5K2Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=eda93fbb21b72345d852c502fb8f55cce5e1c9f17036de4f84a9521c4fdc43b4&width=400&height=225)
Dalia Sadany, architect and member of the Egyptian parliament's committee for media, culture and antiquities. Courtesy Dalia Sadany
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/K2HU6T2SGRGT3G73OR5YS3Q6OY.jpg?smart=true&auth=7e31e72af524d60536ec10ce2c3240db2c4ecfb55d2b7b26ef2897baafd02b74&width=400&height=225)
Al Masalah (obelisk) park in Zamalek. Nada El Sawy / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EIZ44DUIOUDLD5KLULGV6XBAUM.jpg?smart=true&auth=38bc29de7923e060fefb714d2c3590bb9974111703979ca6bca73cd0323a8543&width=400&height=225)
Al Masalah (obelisk) park in Zamalek. Nada El Sawy / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UV6NRND65IWERMYEOYEQXF7SGM.jpg?smart=true&auth=4bd4a277cfcf540db5cd67f04e08b7c6c768c4dc6a6b4fad000d5122829c0935&width=400&height=225)
Al Masalah (obelisk) park in Zamalek. Nada El Sawy / The National
Developer says controversial Cairo Eye project will go ahead
Critics have traffic, environmental and heritage concerns about plan to construct Ferris wheel on the island district of Zamalek
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Nada El Sawy
25 February, 2021
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