Qatari Diar Egypt has unveiled the master plan for its flagship Alam Al Roum development on Egypt’s North Coast. This project is designed by global architecture and urban planning firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM). It comes in as the company advances one of the region’s largest mixed-use tourism projects. This project alongside other developments such as the Bella Vento El Galala will redefine tourists’ experience in Egypt by offering luxurious facilities to visitors.
The announcement was made during a site visit that was attended by senior executives from Qatari Diar. Also, in attendance representatives of international firms involved in the project’s planning and design.
Size and Location
Spanning 20.5 million sqm (4,900 feddan), Alam Al Roum is located approximately 20 minutes from Marsa Matrouh and 50 minutes from Ras El Hekma.
The development features 7.2 km of Mediterranean beachfront. Furthermore it represents a total investment of $29.7bn. This includes $3.5bn in direct cash investment.
Qatari Diar stated that the project is envisioned as a year-round integrated coastal destination. It will combine residential, hospitality, tourism, and leisure components with sustainable urban planning.
Master Planner
SOM is leading the project’s master planning, with the design focused on integrating the site’s natural environment with international urban planning standards to create a sustainable waterfront destination.
The project team also includes landscape architecture firm SWA, marina specialist Marina Projects, and transport and traffic engineering consultancy Setec.
Sheikh Hamad bin Talal Al Thani, CEO of Qatari Diar, said Alam Al Roum represents a major milestone for the company in Egypt, expanding its land portfolio in the country to more than 40 million sqm.
He added that Qatari Diar currently has an investment portfolio worth $7bn in Egypt. Furthermore, it is implementing the project in partnership with leading international firms while relying on Egyptian expertise for execution.
“Alam Al Roum reflects our confidence in Egypt as a leading destination for tourism and investment,” Al Thani said, adding that the development combines the company’s international experience across 22 countries with Egypt’s heritage to support the country’s long-term economic development strategy.
Taleb Al-Athba, Chief Development and Project Delivery Officer for Asia and Africa at Qatari Diar, stated that the master plan has been designed as a fully integrated smart city. It will combine coastal living with sustainable infrastructure and advanced urban planning.
Facilities
Also, he noted that the development will include an international yacht marina, luxury hotels, renewable energy solutions, and locally sourced construction materials.
Alam Al Roum is the latest addition to Qatari Diar Egypt’s portfolio, which includes developments such as CityGate, NEWGIZA, and The St. Regis Cairo.
Alam Al Roum: Project Factsheet
Project Name: Alam Al Roum
Location: East Marsa Matrouh, North Coast, Egypt
Developer: Qatari Diar (Real estate arm of the Qatar Investment Authority) in partnership with Egypt’s New Urban Communities Authority (NUCA).
Project Type: Mega mixed-use smart city and sustainable waterfront destination.
Timeline: 15-year total master plan; Phase 1 execution spans 5 years (targeting roughly 20–25% of the total footprint).
Financials and Economic Impact
Total Investment: $29.7 Billion
- Direct Cash: $3.5 Billion
- In-kind/Development Investment: $26.2 Billion
Revenue Share: Egypt’s NUCA retains a 15% stake in annual net profits after Qatari Diar recovers investment costs.
Job Creation: Estimated to generate up to 250,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Scale & Footprint
- Total Land Area: 20.5 million sqm (4,900 feddans / 5,000 acres).
- Beachfront: 7.2 kilometers of continuous Mediterranean coastline.
- Land Allocation: 60% of land allocated for development/construction, balanced by massive green space and environmental buffers.
Key Components & Facilities
- Hospitality: 4,500 luxury hotel rooms across multiple international 5-star resorts.
- Residential: High-end coastal complexes featuring luxury apartments, townhouses, and standalone beachfront villas.
- Maritime Infrastructure: An international yacht marina and a private coastal port.
- Civic Infrastructure: Fully integrated smart-city utilities driven by electronic management networks, renewable energy solutions, schools, hospitals, and university zones.
Project Team
Lead Developer and Public Partners:
- Qatari Diar: The primary developer and financier, functioning as the real estate arm of the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA).
- New Urban Communities Authority (NUCA): The Egyptian government partner responsible for land allocation and strategic state oversight.
Core Planning and Design Consortium
- Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM): Master Planning & Urban Architecture
- SWA: Landscape Architecture
- Marina Projects: Marine and Yacht Marina Specialist
- Setec: Transport and Traffic Engineering
Execution and Construction
- Egyptian Engineering & Construction Expertise: While international consortiums are handling the macro planning and design, the physical execution, infrastructure development, and local construction are heavily reliant on Egyptian engineering firms and local workforce contractors.
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