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The palace's owner was Belgian Baron Edouard Louis Joseph Empain, a prominent businessman and owner of engineering and industrial projects. The Baron's activities were not limited to the economic and engineering fields, but extended to travel and wandering, taking his wealth to several countries, including Mexico, Brazil, the Congo, India, and Egypt.
The Baron established a new residential project in the Cairo desert called "Heliopolis," or the Heliopolis district. Over time, this area became one of Cairo's most affluent communities. The Baron bought the acre for only one pound because the area lacked amenities, transportation, and services. To attract people to his new suburb, the Baron considered establishing a metro line. He commissioned Belgian engineer André Berchelot, who was working at the time with the Paris Metro Company, to build a metro line linking the new suburb to Cairo. He also began building houses in the classic Belgian style.
The Baron decided to build his own palace there in 1906. Sultan Hussein Kamel of Egypt was present when it was officially opened in 1911. Baron Empain has resided in the palace ever since. Learn more about the story of this neighborhood and palace with us. Book now.
