Cairo Eye

Cairo Eye, also known as Ain Cairo (Arabic: عين القاهرة‎) is a destructive project that aims to destroy a beautiful neighborhood in the heart of Cairo .

Cairo Eye
Ain Cairo
عين القاهرة
Cairo, Egypt
StatusWaiting for approval
CostEGP 500 million ($32 million)
Opening date2022 (planned)
General statistics
Attraction typeFerris wheel
DesignerPROFILERZ
Height120 m (390 ft)
Site area5,000 m2 (54,000 sq ft)
Vehicle typeCabin
Vehicles6-8
OwnerUnknown
Websitecairoeye.com

It will be considered Cairo's first recreational and touristic observation wheel spanning over 5,000 square metres (54,000 sq ft) of land area and a height of 120 metres (390 ft),[1] making it the largest ferris wheel in Africa and the fifth largest worldwide,[2] expected to attract around 2.5 million visitors a year.

The project is controversial in terms of the choice of location. Zamalek island is already congested with traffic and services beyond the needs of this primarily residential neighborhood. Cairo eye is best implemented in another location such as Maspero new development, Maadi corniche, Warraq island, Giza Plateau.

Most of Zamalek's residents oppose the construction of the Cairo eye, and Ashraf Hatem, member of the Egyptian house of Representatives questioned its environmental impact. [3][4]

Facilities

Cairo Eye is placed near one of Cairo's modern icons, the Cairo Tower which is 187 m (614 ft) tall and has a 360° revolving restaurant, affording visitors a panoramic view of Cairo from the pyramids to the Mokatam hills; across the street is the Cairo Opera House and many beautiful heritage gardens with rare old plants, trees, and statues which will, unfortunately, be removed in order to build the wheel. The ferris wheel offers those visitors not interested in Egyptology, Coptic or Islamic history, a birds eye view of Cairo and it aims to link both entertainment and fun when the gardens will be replaced with an integrated recreation, shopping, and catering area which will be built around the ferris wheel to serve as a tourist destination.[5]

The wheel will have 48 total cabins with a limited view of Cairo with a capacity of six to eight passengers per cabin, and will carry around 15,000 visitors a day.[6] The height of the wheel (120 metres [390 ft]) allows sight of some landmarks of Cairo.[7]

The Cairo Eye will also include services and facilities like retailers of international brands, fine dining restaurants, and a food court, an entertainment and events area, as well as a 1,000 square metres (11,000 sq ft) multi-purpose hall overlooking the Nile River.[8]

As for the inevitable congestion and traffic jams, the project will be provided with a covered car parking area (two levels) with a capacity of 500 vehicles, 'Ain Cairo taxi services' and 'Ain Cairo free transport drop on/off buses' as well as river transportation.[9][10]

Construction

The beginning of construction on the Cairo Eye wheel was officially announced by the Governor of Cairo on January 21, 2021 and it comes to support the Egypt Vision 2030 strategy to boost tourism in Egypt and economic development launched by the president of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.[4][11] The project is owned by Hawaii Tourism, which are in negotiations with four banks to finance 50% of the investment cost of the Cairo Eye project.[12][13]

The project does not take into account the preservation of any of the historic trees and palms in the area, the project will destroy the current 6,100 square metres (66,000 sq ft) historic garden.[14][15]

Cairo Eye is set to be completed and opened in 2022 at a cost of EGP 500 million ($32 million).[16][17]

References
  1. "'Cairo Eye' to be Largest Observation Wheel in Africa". Egyptian Streets.
  2. "Cairo Eye The Largest Observational Wheel In Africa". Egypt Today.
  3. "عجلة "عين القاهرة".. مشروع سياحي يستهدف 2.5 مليون زائر سنويا" [The "Cairo Eye" wheel ... a tourism project that targets 2.5 million visitors annually]. Al Arabiya (in Arabic). 2021-01-21.
  4. "Egypt to construct the Cairo Eye, Africa's largest Ferris wheel". Egypt Independent.
  5. "Egypt's world class tourism initiative 'Cairo Eye' to launch soon". Egypt Independent. 2020-07-10.
  6. "بارتفاع 120 مترا في قلب القاهرة.. 10 معلومات عن "Cairo Eye" أكبر عجلة دوارة في أفريقيا" [With a height of 120 meters in the heart of Cairo ... 10 informations about "Cairo Eye", the largest ferris wheel in Africa]. Masrawy (in Arabic).
  7. "'Cairo Eye': Egypt's Newest World-Class Tourism Initiative is Launching Soon". Scoop Empire. 2020-07-12.
  8. "حقائق ومعلومات مشروع "عين القاهرة ".. تعرف عليها" [Facts and information about the "Cairo Eye" project ... know them]. Youm 7 (in Arabic). 2021-01-21.
  9. "تدشين مشروع عين القاهرة Cairo Eye باستثمارات 500 مليون جنيه" [The launch of the Cairo Eye project, with investments of 500 million pounds]. اليوم السابع (in Arabic). 2021-01-21.
  10. "أخيرًا .. عين القاهرة" [Finally ... Cairo Eye]. Ahram Gates (in Arabic).
  11. "Cairo Eye to be inaugurated in 2022, investments worth EGP 500 mln: Officials". Ahram Online.
  12. ""هاواي" للسياحة تعتزم إطلاق مشروع "عين القاهرة" كأكبر عجلة ترفيهية بأفريقيا فى 2022" [Hawaii Tourism intends to launch the "Cairo Eye" project as the largest entertainment wheel in Africa in 2022]. Gareedat Al Mal (in Arabic). 2021-01-10. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  13. ""هاواي للسياحة" تتفاوض مع 4 بنوك لتمويل 50% من التكلفة الاستثمارية لمشروع "عين القاهرة"" [Hawaii Tourism is negotiating with 4 banks to finance 50% of the investment cost of the Cairo Eye project.]. Amwal Al Ghad (in Arabic). 2021-01-21.
  14. "محافظ العاصمة: مشروع "عين القاهرة" مهم ويأتي متكاملًا مع ممشى مصر" [The Governor of the Capital: The "Cairo Eye" project is important and comes integrated with the Egypt Walk]. Masrawy (in Arabic).
  15. "تدشين مشروع عين القاهرة Cairo Eye باستثمارات 500 مليون جنيه" [The launch of the Cairo Eye project, with investments of 500 million pounds]. Youm 7 (in Arabic). 2021-01-21.
  16. "محافظ القاهرة: افتتاح "Cairo eye" بتكلفة 500 مليون جنيه" [Governor of Cairo: Opening of "Cairo eye" at a cost of 500 million pounds]. Al Mal News (in Arabic).
  17. "تدشين مشروع عين القاهرة باستثمارات 500 مليون جنيه" [The launch of the Cairo Eye project with investments of 500 million pounds]. www.shorouknews.com (in Arabic).
  18. "Egypt To Launch The Largest Observation Wheel in Africa 'Cairo Eye' in 2022". Egypt Today. 2021-01-21.
  19. "مصر تطلق مشروع العجلة الدوارة "عين القاهرة" السياحي" [Egypt launches the "Cairo Eye" tourism project]. Reuters (in Arabic). 2021-01-21.
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