Downtown buildings have been designed by “French architects” under the rule of Khedive Ismail, who adopted the idea of “urban planning in Cairo for the first time.”
The type of architecture prevalent in downtown Cairo is called the ‘French Baroque Architecture’ that took place in the eras of Louis XII, Louis XIV, Louis XV. The habitants, and owners of these buildings used to be mostly the upper non-Egyptian class in 19th and 20th centuries. That is why it is common to find greek writings on the buildings and also to find some advertising stickers in French on the walls. Post the revolution of 1952, the buildings have been subject to neglect because of “the departure” of these upper classes. There are famous places in there like Shampoleon Palace, Cafe Riche, Jewish Temple in Adly Street, where is also located the other branch of Groppi, as this is the one that has the garden area different from the one in Talaat Harb square that used to have a night club in the past.
The type of architecture prevalent in downtown Cairo is called the ‘French Baroque Architecture’ that took place in the eras of Louis XII, Louis XIV, Louis XV. The habitants, and owners of these buildings used to be mostly the upper non-Egyptian class in 19th and 20th centuries. That is why it is common to find greek writings on the buildings and also to find some advertising stickers in French on the walls. Post the revolution of 1952, the buildings have been subject to neglect because of “the departure” of these upper classes. There are famous places in there like Shampoleon Palace, Cafe Riche, Jewish Temple in Adly Street, where is also located the other branch of Groppi, as this is the one that has the garden area different from the one in Talaat Harb square that used to have a night club in the past.