Orascom Developments

About Orascom Developments

Orascom Developments is one of Egypt's most established and recognized real estate developers, both regionally and internationally. The company was founded in 1989 by Samih Sawiris, son of the renowned Egyptian businessman Onsi Sawiris, founder of the Sawiris-family Orascom industrial empire.

The parent Orascom Development Holding AG is listed on the Swiss Stock Exchange (SIX), while its Egyptian subsidiary Orascom Hotels & Development listed 15% of its shares on the Egyptian Exchange in January 2015. This dual listing gives the company a layer of international governance and transparency.

Over more than three decades, Sawiris transformed Orascom into a global multi-market developer operating in Egypt, Switzerland, Montenegro, Oman, Morocco, and the UAE. This global geographic spread is rare among Egyptian real estate companies.

Orascom Developments Track Record

The company's most distinctive feature is the Sawiris legacy in coastal destination development. Samih Sawiris is the founder who turned a stretch of Red Sea desert into El Gouna in 1989 — one of the most successful resort towns in the Middle East.

This project alone changed the concept of coastal development in Egypt.

The Swiss Stock Exchange listing under Orascom Development Holding AG means the company is bound by stringent European disclosure standards. The company publishes quarterly audited financials reviewed by international auditors — a governance level rare in the regional real estate market.

Signature projects in Egypt include the iconic El Gouna on the Red Sea, Taba Heights in Sinai, Makadi Heights in Hurghada spanning 1000 acres (only 12% built-up, 88% green and water features), and Tuban El Gouna as the latest within El Gouna.

Areas Where Orascom Operates in Egypt

Orascom projects in Egypt span two primary regions: Hurghada (including El Gouna) and 6th of October. Historical focus has been on Red Sea coastal destinations, with recent expansion into urban development.

You can browse Hurghada compounds to see Orascom's largest project cluster in Egypt, including Makadi Heights and Tuban El Gouna within the renowned El Gouna area.

The company also delivers urban projects in 6th of October compounds through Parkside O West, representing a qualitative expansion from coastal destinations into primary urban residential in West Cairo.

Orascom Developments Project Portfolio in Egypt

The Orascom portfolio in Egypt includes 3 projects available through CompoundGate, distributed between Red Sea coastal resorts and urban development in West Cairo.

In the El Gouna and Red Sea area, the portfolio includes Makadi Heights Hurghada spanning 1000 acres in Makadi Bay, and Tuban El Gouna within the El Gouna area. Both fall within Orascom's historical legacy in eastern coast development.

Makadi Heights is among Orascom's most distinctive modern projects, with 88% of the area dedicated to natural landscapes and water features (lagoons, lakes, pools) and only 12% to buildings. This environmental positioning makes it a unique sustainable development model.

In 6th of October, the portfolio includes Parkside O West 6th of October, representing Orascom's expansion into primary urban residential. This positioning serves buyers seeking Orascom's strong brand identity in in-city residence.

Why Buy from Orascom Developments

The most distinctive advantage of Orascom is its Swiss Stock Exchange listing. This level of international governance is rare among Egyptian developers and implies compliance with European disclosure and transparency standards. For buyers committed to long-term installments, this institutional guarantee is unmatched.

The second advantage is the Sawiris legacy in coastal destination development. Samih Sawiris created El Gouna from scratch, and it has become one of the most successful resorts in the Middle East. This legacy ensures that the company's new projects benefit from 35 years of expertise in coastal destination development.

The third is the global footprint. Orascom operates in 6 countries (Egypt, Switzerland, Montenegro, Oman, Morocco, UAE), and this international presence reduces concentrated risk on the Egyptian market alone, while allowing the company to transfer best practices between markets.

Frequently Asked Questions about Orascom Developments

When was Orascom Developments founded?
Orascom Developments was founded in 1989 by Samih Sawiris, who began with El Gouna on the Red Sea in the same year. The company has been operating in real estate for 35 years.

Is Orascom a trusted developer to invest with?
Yes. The parent Orascom Development Holding AG is listed on the Swiss Stock Exchange (SIX) and bound by stringent European disclosure standards. This level of international governance is rare among regional developers.

Where are Orascom projects located in Egypt?
Orascom projects in Egypt span two primary regions: Hurghada and El Gouna (Makadi Heights and Tuban El Gouna), and 6th of October (Parkside O West) — totaling 3 active projects. The company also has the historical El Gouna itself.

Who is the founder of Orascom Developments?
The founder is Samih Sawiris, son of renowned Egyptian businessman Onsi Sawiris of the Orascom industrial empire. He founded the company in 1989 and the El Gouna project in the same year, transforming Orascom into a global developer operating in 6 countries.

What are Orascom's flagship projects in Egypt?
Flagship projects include the iconic El Gouna on the Red Sea, Makadi Heights in Makadi Bay Hurghada (1000 acres), Taba Heights in Sinai, the newer Tuban El Gouna, and Parkside O West in 6th of October.