Historic Palace Facade in AUC Tahrir Square Undergoes Restoration
The American University in Cairo (AUC), in collaboration with Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, is restoring the façade of its historic palace at AUC Tahrir Campus Square. This iconic structure, the oldest building on campus, dates back more than 150 years. “The palace witnessed AUC's growth and evolution over time and key events since the University opened in 1919,” said Khaled Tarabieh, University architect and associate professor of sustainable design. “As time went by, many areas on the main façade deteriorated and lost their original look and paint colors. The purpose of this project is the restoration of the palace’s façade, windows, and paint, as well as fixing any deteriorated areas. Specialized restoration consultants and contractors are involved in cooperation with Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.”
This old historic building - originally built as Khairy Pasha Palace in the mid-to-late 19th century - served as the Ministry of Education building during Khedive Ismail’s modernization efforts and has been listed on Egypt’s National Register for Heritage Buildings since 2007. Its intricate façades and grand interiors showcase the fusion of European and local architectural styles that defined elite residences of the 19th century.
The restoration project involves restoring the exterior elevations visible from the streets, followed by the rest of the elevations. “Through decades of existence, the façade experienced deterioration, such as voids and gaps on the surface that require proper filling; the disappearance of the building’s original colors and materials, such as mosaic frame ornaments that were buried under layers of paint; broken ornaments that are being skillfully restored,” said Tarabieh.
An analysis of the paint and façade stone patterns using historical photographs is also underway to restore the palace to its original state, complemented by a first-of-its-kind comprehensive electronic documentation of the building.
“The Khairy Pasha Palace is recognized not only for its architectural value but also its historic and symbolic significance,” said Dalila ElKerdany, consulting architect for the project, Cairo University professor and adjunct faculty member in AUC’s Department of Architecture. “The palace has played a crucial role in Egypt’s educational history and serves as a symbol of the integration of European and local architectural styles in the 19th century.”
ElKerdany emphasized the palace’s historic ties to education, noting that it served as the Ministry of Education’s headquarters, a cigarette factory, and later as a venue for classes in Egypt’s first university, now Cairo University. “This way, the Khairy Pasha Palace has always been associated with the early stages of Egypt's higher education movement,” she explained. “By eventually becoming part of AUC, the palace has preserved its historic legacy as a hub for education and intellectual exchange, continuing AUC’s tradition as a center of academic excellence.”
For more information about the historic Khairy Pasha Palace, please visit AUC Historic Palace.