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elmorshedy

elmorshedy

Egypt
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Core Evaluation

Comprehensive assessment of developer's core competencies

Track Record

Memaar Al Morshedy (recently rebranded as Morshedy Group) was founded in 1983 by Mohamed Morshedy. Over four decades, it grew from building mid-range residential blocks in Maadi (Cairo) to launching some of Egypt’s largest private projects. Notable developments include Degla Landmark (a 62,760 m² mixed-use complex) and Zahra on the North Coast (a 890-acre resort community). The company also announced the ambitious Skyline in Cairo – planned as the world’s largest residential building with 13,500 apartments. However, Memaar Al Morshedy’s execution track record has been mixed. While it claims a portfolio of 21 major projects and 80,000 clients, many projects have faced severe delays (5–8+ years behind schedule), suggesting that delivering on its promises has been a consistent challenge.

Financial Credibility

As a private, family-owned developer, Memaar Al Morshedy’s financials are not publicly disclosed. The firm has demonstrated an ability to raise or deploy capital for expansion – for example, in early 2025 it acquired the 50-story Zamalek (Fouda) Tower in Cairo for EGP 2.5 billion to redevelop into a luxury hotel. This indicates access to substantial funding. However, its persistent construction delays raise questions about cash flow management. The company relies heavily on off-plan sales (pre-selling units to finance construction), which can be risky if not managed prudently. Indeed, industry observers note that some Egyptian developers sold units too cheaply relative to inflation and then struggled to cover building costs – a pattern that seemingly fits Morshedy’s delayed projects. The developer also spends lavishly on advertising and celebrity endorsements, which could strain finances if sales targets are not met. There have been no public credit ratings or defaults reported, but the financial red flags – such as needing years to complete pre-sold projects – suggest its financial credibility is fragile rather than robust.

Project Quality

Memaar Al Morshedy’s projects vary in quality. The company aspires to innovative, landmark designs – for instance, Skyline was designed by renowned architects (Raef Fahmy, VDP Studio, and Mohamed Hadid), and its massive scale was a bold innovation. In concept, many Morshedy projects promise modern amenities and striking architecture. In practice, delivered quality has often fallen short. Customers report that even when units are finally handed over, they sometimes come with significant defects or omissions. Some delivered apartments lacked basic utilities like gas pipelines and landline telephone connections, and experienced frequent power outages due to incomplete infrastructure. There are also complaints that finished units and compound layouts did not match the marketed plans – for example, smaller green spaces and club facilities than promised, and even an increase in the number of units beyond what was advertised. In some cases, residential buildings were partially converted to commercial use, altering the character of the project. These issues point to lapses in quality control and a failure to deliver the standard of living advertised. While the design vision of Morshedy projects is high, the execution quality has been inconsistent and often subpar relative to customer expectations.

Legal & Regulatory Standing

Memaar Al Morshedy has not been publicly cited for major legal violations or regulatory penalties in the past year, but there are indications of compliance issues. The company has been accused of breaching contractual and regulatory obligations by customers – for instance, delivering units without the promised utility hookups (gas, phone lines), which could violate local building regulations that require provision of basic services. Some buyers noted that project specifications on delivery did not match the permits (e.g. extra units added beyond the approved plan), potentially putting the developer at odds with planning authorities. There is also an ethical compliance concern in how the firm handles contracts: in one case, the company terminated a sales contract with a buyer who was two days late on a payment, without prior notice. This heavy-handed approach, while legally enabled by contract clauses, drew criticism and may contravene consumer protection norms. Furthermore, the Consumer Protection Agency and other regulators have been urged (by media and customers) to step in to address the company’s chronic delays and customer grievances. To date, there’s no evidence of significant legal action by authorities against Morshedy Group. The company’s rebranding in 2023 to “Morshedy Group” and expansion into new sectors (healthcare, education) suggest it is trying to turn a page. Still, its pattern of not fulfilling contractual delivery dates and altering project scopes could expose it to legal disputes and regulatory scrutiny if such practices continue.

Customer Experience

Customer experience with Memaar Al Morshedy has been overwhelmingly negative in recent years. Numerous buyers have faced extreme delays in receiving their units – commonly waiting 5 to 8 years beyond promised delivery dates. This has led to frustration, financial strain (as customers continue paying installments or living elsewhere), and a breach of trust. Communication and customer service appear poor: clients report being kept in the dark about new handover timelines, and some say the company’s staff have been unresponsive or even hostile to complaints. In one high-profile incident (July 2023), a young man who had waited six years for his apartment went to Morshedy’s office to demand answers and filmed his encounter – a staff member tried to stop him from recording, leading to a physical altercation in front of other customers. The video, widely shared on social media, highlighted not only the delay but also the unprofessional treatment of customers. Many buyers feel the company does not take responsibility for delays – instead of compensation or sincere apologies, some have been offered contract cancellations and refunds (effectively undoing the deal after years of lost time). Even once units are delivered, customers cite issues like ongoing maintenance problems and lack of promised services (for example, incomplete amenities in compounds). Overall, the customer satisfaction level is very low. This has spawned online communities of disgruntled clients (one Facebook group is literally named “Victims of Memaar Al Morshedy”) where people share experiences and warn others. The trust deficit is significant: as one report noted, potential buyers asking about Morshedy projects are often advised by existing customers to “stay away if you value your money and peace of mind.”

Market Reputation

In the public sphere, Memaar Al Morshedy’s reputation has taken a serious hit. The company was once recognized among Egypt’s prominent developers – for instance, it was ranked #24 on Forbes Middle East’s list of Top 50 Real Estate Developers in MENA for 2021. It built a brand name synonymous with large-scale projects and had a high-profile CEO (Hassan Morshedy) often featured in industry media. However, by 2023-2025, the negative publicity around its project delays and customer conflicts has largely overshadowed earlier accolades. Frequent social media uproars, news articles titled “Victims of Morshedy” and protest reports have painted the company as a cautionary tale in the Egyptian real estate market. Memaar Al Morshedy still engages in aggressive marketing – including big Ramadan advertising campaigns featuring celebrities like Asser Yassin and Ahmed Saad – which keeps its name visible and continues to attract some new buyers. Yet this marketing-driven reputation is often derided as “all hype.” Clients and observers accuse the firm of prioritizing flashy ads over actual project delivery, calling it “a marketing company, not a real estate company”. Word-of-mouth within the market has become decidedly unfavorable; many agents and seasoned investors are wary. The company’s recent rebranding to “Morshedy Group” and claims of a new era of expansion might be an attempt to improve its image. Still, until it proves it can resolve existing issues and deliver projects as promised, the market reputation of Memaar Al Morshedy in Egypt will remain poor. It is often cited as an example of developer mismanagement, undermining buyer confidence in off-plan sales.

Innovation & Sustainability

Memaar Al Morshedy’s approach to innovation and sustainability appears limited. On paper, the company has made innovative proposals – the Skyline project is a prime example of innovation in concept (aiming for a Guinness-record-sized residential building with integrated smart facilities). The firm also introduced large mixed-use community ideas (e.g. Zahra, envisioned as a series of six themed zones with hotels and lagoons) which show creative master planning. However, these innovations have yet to materialize into successful, functioning developments. True innovation in real estate also involves execution and new practices, and here the company lags. Construction methods or technologies are not particularly noted to be different at Morshedy projects – if anything, construction progress is slower than industry norms, relying on traditional techniques. In terms of sustainability, Memaar Al Morshedy has not been a visible leader. There is little to no public information about green building certifications (e.g. no LEED or EDGE certified projects known) or significant environmental initiatives in its projects. The founder’s message on the website speaks of “environmentally conscious designs”, but evidence on the ground is lacking. In contrast to developers who incorporate solar energy, recycling, or sustainable materials into their projects, Morshedy Group’s developments haven’t showcased such features (indeed, basic infrastructure is sometimes incomplete, as noted). The focus of the company historically has been on scale and marketing appeal rather than sustainable design. In summary, while Memaar Al Morshedy has ambitious ideas and has attempted headline-grabbing projects, it has not delivered meaningful innovation in construction or sustainability in the Egyptian market.