El Sheikh Zayed City

El Sheikh Zayed City & New Zayed: Here Is The Modern Life

El Sheikh Zayed City: The Established Oasis of West Cairo

Step into El Sheikh Zayed City and you immediately sense the difference. The air feels calmer, the streets broader, and the entire atmosphere softened compared to the intensity of central Cairo. Located just 20 kilometers west of Lebanon Square in Mohandessin, Sheikh Zayed has long been regarded as one of Egypt’s most prestigious residential destinations. Established in 1995, the city was named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the visionary ruler of the UAE who contributed generously to its foundation. Today, Sheikh Zayed covers 49 square kilometers — approximately 12,000 acres — and is home to nearly 100,000 residents who seek a blend of luxury, convenience, and tranquility.

Unlike Cairo’s crowded neighborhoods, Sheikh Zayed was masterplanned to breathe. Streets are lined with greenery, neighborhoods are built around parks and boulevards, and compounds sit behind secure gates, each with its own distinct identity. This carefully structured urban design has transformed the city into a haven for families, professionals, and expatriates who want proximity to Cairo while enjoying the slower rhythm of suburban life.

Masterplan & Urban Vision

Sheikh Zayed’s urban structure is divided into multiple districts, each designed to maximize accessibility and lifestyle comfort. Its low population density ensures residents are never overwhelmed by congestion. Wide roads connect districts seamlessly, and neighborhoods flow naturally into one another through landscaped buffers and green belts. The city integrates residential, commercial, and administrative zones — each one carefully zoned to allow for growth without sacrificing serenity.

What truly distinguishes Sheikh Zayed is its gated compounds. Each compound has been designed as a city within a city: tree-lined streets, internal services, leisure clubs, and exclusive facilities that let residents enjoy a complete lifestyle without leaving their community.

Location & Connectivity

Sheikh Zayed’s prime location is one of its greatest privileges. Sitting directly on Mehwar 26th of July and the Cairo–Alexandria Desert Road, the city offers direct access to central Cairo, 6th of October City, and beyond. The Ring Road ensures rapid connection to Maadi, Heliopolis, and New Cairo City, while the Rod El Farag Axis links the city to northern Egypt.

For international travelers, Sphinx International Airport is only a short drive away, offering an alternative to Cairo International Airport. Business professionals find themselves minutes from Smart Village — Egypt’s leading technology and business hub — and families enjoy proximity to leisure destinations like the Giza Pyramids Plateau.

Everyday Lifestyle in Sheikh Zayed

Life in Sheikh Zayed feels like a carefully balanced equation: mornings begin with school runs on calm, tree-shaded streets, afternoons flow into business meetings in Smart Village or The Polygon, and evenings are spent at one of the city’s countless restaurants and cafés. Families gather in Arkan Plaza or Walk of Cairo, teenagers meet friends in Mall of Arabia, and couples enjoy long walks in ZED Park, surrounded by greenery and calm.

The essence of Zayed living is this rhythm — one that balances the energy of Cairo with the intimacy of a smaller community.

Exclusive Compounds in El Sheikh Zayed

ZED West – Ora Developers

Perhaps the most iconic development in modern Sheikh Zayed, ZED West combines contemporary architecture with Egypt’s first privately developed urban park, ZED Park. Spanning vast green acres, ZED Park is the beating heart of the community, with jogging tracks, lakes, restaurants, and play areas. The residences themselves — modern apartments and towers — overlook greenery and benefit from Ora Developers’ signature attention to detail. ZED West is more than a compound; it’s a lifestyle ecosystem.

Beverly Hills – SODIC

A landmark development, Beverly Hills was one of the first large-scale compounds in Sheikh Zayed and remains a symbol of upscale suburban living. Known for its spacious villas, landscaped streets, and family-friendly services, Beverly Hills has created a tight-knit community that many of its residents have called home for decades.

Allegria Residence – SODIC

For those who dream of golf-course views and architectural elegance, Allegria Residence delivers. Designed with input from golf legend Greg Norman, Allegria integrates luxury villas with an 18-hole course, surrounded by natural landscapes. The compound represents the pinnacle of luxury in Sheikh Zayed, appealing to both avid golfers and those who appreciate tranquil, spacious living.

The Polygon – SODIC

Not just a residential compound, The Polygon is Sheikh Zayed’s business and office hub. Designed with contemporary corporate architecture, it provides office space for companies looking to relocate to West Cairo. Its presence ensures residents can work, live, and socialize within one city.

The Portal – SODIC

Acting as a commercial and cultural gateway, The Portal is a mixed-use development that combines retail, lifestyle, and services. It represents Sheikh Zayed’s evolution into a city where convenience is seamlessly integrated.

Westown Medical Centre – SODIC

Healthcare is central to community living, and Westown Medical Centre delivers advanced medical services in a modern environment. Designed to international standards, it offers families in Sheikh Zayed immediate access to top-quality healthcare without the need to commute to central Cairo.

Shopping & Dining in Sheikh Zayed

The retail and dining landscape of Sheikh Zayed rivals that of Cairo itself:

• Arkan Plaza – The city’s flagship lifestyle hub, filled with international brands, fine dining, and nightlife options.
• Walk of Cairo – Designed like a European promenade, offering casual cafés, boutiques, and outdoor spaces.
• Mall of Arabia – Egypt’s largest shopping mall, with hundreds of international brands and entertainment venues.
• Dandy Mega Mall – A family-friendly destination with shopping, cinemas, and dining.

Green Spaces & Recreation

Sheikh Zayed is not only about bricks and mortar; it’s about outdoor living. From the wide boulevards shaded by trees to compounds designed around parks, the city places nature at its core. ZED Park offers acres of public green space, while golf courses at Allegria add a touch of international luxury. Jogging, cycling, and sports are part of everyday life here, making Zayed one of Egypt’s healthiest urban environments.

New Zayed City: The Future of Sustainable Luxury

If Sheikh Zayed is the established oasis of West Cairo, New Zayed is its futuristic extension. Designed as a natural continuation of Zayed, this city covers 21,000 acres, doubling the footprint of the original city. New Zayed is masterplanned around sustainability, smart infrastructure, and modern living, making it the destination of choice for the next generation.

Vision & Masterplan

New Zayed is being developed with sustainability at its heart. Expansive parks, smart energy systems, and modern infrastructure are woven into its design. Roads and residential districts are organized to maximize efficiency while ensuring that greenery is never more than a short walk away.

Location & Connectivity

Situated to the west of Sheikh Zayed, New Zayed enjoys direct access to Dabaa Road, the Rod El Farag Axis, and the Cairo–Alexandria Desert Road. This connectivity makes commuting to central Cairo, the North Coast, and other destinations effortless. Residents are also only minutes away from Sphinx International Airport, reinforcing the city’s international appeal.

Premier Compounds in New Zayed

Solana West – Ora Developers

Spanning 316 acres, Solana West is Ora’s second masterpiece in Zayed, after ZED. The compound combines villas, apartments, and townhouses designed with contemporary elegance. Emphasizing sustainability, Solana West integrates renewable energy, landscaped parks, and community services to create a balanced lifestyle.

The Estates – SODIC

An exclusive 150-acre community, The Estates offers contemporary villas and townhouses surrounded by greenery and high-end amenities. Designed for ultimate privacy and exclusivity, The Estates caters to families who want a calm, gated environment while still being minutes from Sheikh Zayed and central Cairo.

The Estates Residence – SODIC

Complementing The Estates, this development adds modern apartments and townhouses, offering a broader choice while maintaining the same luxury standards. It ensures the SODIC vision extends to diverse lifestyles.

Karmell – SODIC

Inspired by California’s Carmel, Karmell introduces a vibrant, laid-back lifestyle to New Zayed. Featuring innovative designs, open spaces, and an emphasis on community, Karmell is designed for young families and professionals.

VYE – SODIC

A forward-looking development, VYE focuses on sustainability and smart technology. With solar-powered homes, shared workspaces, and recreational hubs, it is one of Egypt’s first truly smart residential communities.

Being – LMD

Built around wellness and wellbeing, Being by LMD is more than a compound — it’s a philosophy. Every aspect, from green layouts to health-focused amenities, is designed to enhance quality of life.

Retail, Dining & Everyday Lifestyle

New Zayed is being planned as a self-sufficient city. Malls, retail centers, gourmet restaurants, and everyday shops are integrated within residential zones, ensuring convenience is always nearby. Families will be able to walk or cycle to schools, shops, and parks, creating a seamless urban rhythm.

Healthcare & Education

Modern clinics, hospitals, and international schools are embedded into New Zayed’s masterplan. These institutions ensure residents can enjoy world-class healthcare and education without needing to travel far.

Green Spaces & Recreation

Parks are at the heart of New Zayed. Cycling paths, jogging tracks, and outdoor leisure zones weave the community together. Sports complexes and wellness centers add to the city’s healthy, active lifestyle.

Developers Operating In New Zayed

Ora Developers

Founded by businessman Naguib Sawiris, Ora Developers focuses on lifestyle-driven communities. In Zayed, Ora delivered ZED West, a groundbreaking mixed-use community, and is now building Solana West in New Zayed. Both reflect Ora’s vision of blending luxury with community-centric design.

SODIC

One of Egypt’s most respected developers, SODIC has shaped Zayed for decades. With landmarks like Beverly Hills, Allegria Residence, The Estates, The Estates Residence, Karmell, and VYE, SODIC embodies masterplanning excellence and community spirit. Each project reflects their philosophy of quality, innovation, and livability.

LMD

Known for innovation, LMD focuses on wellbeing and human-centric design. In New Zayed, Being by LMD is a compound dedicated to healthy, sustainable lifestyles, making it a pioneer of wellness real estate.

Destination Privilege

Living in Sheikh Zayed or New Zayed is not just about the compound; it’s about the broader ecosystem.

• Accessibility → Sheikh Zayed and New Zayed are 20–25 minutes from central Cairo, connected by Mehwar, Dabaa Road, Ring Road, and close to Sphinx Airport.
• Healthcare → Dar El Fouad Hospital, Westown Medical Centre, Sheikh Zayed Specialized Hospital.
• Education → Nile University, the American International School, the British International School in Cairo (BISC), and Misr University for Science & Technology.
• Lifestyle & Leisure → Arkan Plaza, Walk of Cairo, Mall of Arabia, Swan Lake October, Palm Parks.
• Business Hubs → Smart Village and Media Production City provide thousands of job opportunities nearby.

Together, these privileges create a destination where life flows seamlessly between home, work, leisure, and education.

Sheikh Zayed City and New Zayed are not just real estate destinations — they are living, breathing communities. One represents today’s established luxury; the other embodies the promise of tomorrow’s smart, sustainable living. With world-class compounds like ZED West, Solana West, The Estates, Karmell, VYE, Being, Beverly Hills, Allegria Residence, and services like The Polygon, The Portal, and Westown Medical Centre, these twin cities offer unmatched opportunities for families, investors, and professionals alike.

Here, luxury is not a façade; it’s woven into everyday life. Whether walking through ZED Park at sunset, enjoying a weekend brunch in Arkan, or cycling through New Zayed’s green belts, life in these cities is defined by balance — balance between energy and calm, tradition and innovation, present and future.

Sheikh Zayed and New Zayed together redefine what it means to live well in Egypt.