Al-Ittihadiya Palace (Heliopolis Palace)

The palace was abandoned after the Nationalization epoch. Later, in the 1960s, it was the seat of several government administrations and ministries. In January 1972 during Sadat's presidency of Egypt, the palace became the headquarters for the Federation of Arab Republics that included, at that time, Egypt, Syria and Libya. Since then, the palace came to be known as "Al-Ittihadiya Palace" or "Palace of Al-Orouba".

A major overhaul of the palace was initiated in the 1980s to preserve its heritage; after which it was declared to be the seat of the new government under President Mubarak’s rule.

Belgium Architect Ernest Jaspar designed the palace to comprise 500 rooms, 55 private apartments and colossal halls. Two leading constructors, “Leon Rolin & Co.” and “Padova, Dentamaro & Ferro” in Egypt at that time built the palace. “Miss Simons and Shcobert” in Berlin supplied the palace with the electrical wirings and furnishings.

Palace rooms were luxuriously furnished following the style of Louis XIV and Louis XV. The main core hall features monumental oriental crystal chandeliers.

The dome of the Palace is 55 meters high ground to ceiling. Main hall is 859 square meters, designed by Alexandre Marcel and decorated by George Louis Claude. The palace is further ornamented with exquisite oriental carpets and decorated with floor-to-ceiling mirrors embracing a huge fireplace made of marble. There are also 22 huge Italian columns made of marble. At the other end of the main core hall, there is a large dining room comprising 150 seats and another room including 3 billiard tables, two of which were large of Thurston style.

The London-mahogany furniture and the upper offices oak wood of renowned Paris Kroger boasts of grandiosity.

The palace was abandoned after the Nationalization epoch. Later, in the 1960s, it was the seat of several government administrations and ministries. In January 1972 during Sadat's presidency of Egypt, the palace became the headquarters for the Federation of Arab Republics that included, at that time, Egypt, Syria and Libya. Since then, the palace came to be known as "Al-Ittihadiya Palace" or "Palace of Al-Orouba".

A major overhaul of the palace was initiated in the 1980s to preserve its heritage.

It showcases huge crystal chandeliers, 22 columns in the main core 600 m2 hall. One of the sides features a large dining room. The palace dome, extends to 55 meters in height. A railway is built in the basement along the building's administration office, kitchens, stores and staff offices.

Late Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak did not reside in the palace except during official working hours. He lived in his own house in Heliopolis suburb. The Palace was only open for “official visits” of kings and heads of states during President Mubarak rule. In late years, he received official visits in Sharm Sheikh, the coastal city overlooking the Red Sea, to avoid jamming traffic-congested Cairo due to heightened security measures.

Under Decree No. 420/2018 of the Minister of Antiquities, Al-Ittihadiya Palace was inscribed to the Islamic and Coptic monument archive, as published in the Egyptian Gazette issue 137 on Thursday June 14, 2018.