Kodak Agfa Presents : A Quick look to Renovated Downtown Cairo

Last week, I was in Downtown Cairo and luckily I had my camera with me.
It was truly my lucky day as I passed by a bunch of the old downtown 19th century and early 20th century-European style buildings being restored.
To read more about the Downtown Cairo renovation, please read this important feature by Salma Shukrallah in Ahram Online. That feature was published after the inauguration the

A Downtown Cairo building under restoration works 

The officials working on Restoration of Khedival Cairo say that the original colours of the buildings are being used.

A Downtown Cairo building under restoration works 

The restoration works are currently carried out by Arab Contractors Co.and other companies.
The government still owns the majority of the buildings in the area despite Misr Insurance Company owns over 90 buildings there and Al-Ismailia Investment company owns more than 20 buildings in the Downtown Cairo area.
Somehow, you may guess the owners of the renovated building from the final colour of the building.
I passed by the Gharib Marcos building which looked amazing. The building built in the early 20th century is currently owned by the Al-Ismailia company.

The Gharib Marcos building in Downtown Cairo 

Al-Ismailia Company says in its official website that the building architecture was a mix of Neo-Baroque and Art deco.
So far it is one of the best renovations in the area. I have not seen it from inside.

The Gharib Marcos building in Downtown Cairo 

It looks Neo-Baroque Parisian more to me.

Davies Bryan Building

I saw the famous Gothic Davies Bryan building after its renovation. Some people do not like how it is painted but I believe it looks fine.
It is truly one of the jewels of Downtown Cairo with its distinguished style whether it is painted or not.

Davies Bryan Building

That beautiful building made headlines during its restoration as Ismailia company used to cover it with a beautiful painting representing the building.
The building constructed in the early 20th century and owned by Welsh businessman Davies Bryan used to host the YMCA in Cairo.

The Davis Bryan building in  Downtown Cairo last century 

"Thanks to @So2rate  and @EgyChampagne whom you must follow on twitter if you love old photos and documents from Egypt" 
Here is a famous building at Emad El-Din street that has not been restored yet. Surely, it needs a lot of renovation.

An old unrestored building

In the past, Emad El-Din street in Downtown Cairo was known for its theatres and nightclubs.
Now, its famous Parisian-style buildings including the building above and the restored building below were like landmarks with their domes.

Restored Emad El-Din building in Downtown Cairo

I hope that is true because that pinkish colour of that famous building in Emad El-Din street with gold paint is making me uncomfortable !!

Restored Emad El-Din building in Downtown Cairo

I am praying that the restoration companies and officials pay attention to the little details and mistakes they commit during the restoration process itself.
It is not about fresh paint.
I am worried that the companies will paint for instance those amazing façade details as they have done previously in other buildings that were restored before.

A building under restoration in Downtown Cairo

Just look at the amazing paintings at the top of that building.

A building under restoration in Downtown Cairo  

They do not such beautiful details in buildings anymore, unfortunately.

I also pray that the buildings are fully and truly restored.
One true look to some of the previously restored buildings in Tahrir square, you will find that the façade was only painted and the rest of the building is left in a very provoking way.
Those photos were taken quickly while I was in the car.