Cairo’s landmark remains closed

Workers at the Cairo Tower fear for their jobs

The 120 workers at the Cairo’s Tower fear for their employment at the city’s landmark tower which has now been closed since the end of January. However management still refers to the closure as temporary and says it is trying to negotiate a 10-year contract with an Egyptian company which will refurbish the tower before opening it once more.

The historic Cairo Tower has been closed since a Lebanese investor failed to renew a contract with the Egyptian government to operate the tourist attraction.

The 187-m high concrete tower was inaugurated by former Egyptian president Jamal Abdul Nasser in 1961 and was Africa’s tallest structure until 1971 when the record went to the Hillbrow Tower in South Africa. However it is still the tallest building in Egypt and north Africa.

Situated in the Zamalek district near the banks of the Nile, the tower comprises 16 floors, with stunning views of Cairo from the summit's observation deck. The tower's 14^th floor also contains a revolving restaurant which rotates fully over 70 minutes, allowing visitors a full view of the capital below.

The tower was last renovated in 2008, expanding its visitor capacity from 120 to 700 at one time.