US multinational hospitality brand Marriott International has signed an agreement to open a St. Regis hotel in the New Administrative Capital (NAC), east Cairo, state-run Ahram Oline reports.

In the second quarter of 2020, the St. Regis Almasa is expected to comprise the existing Almasa Royal Palace, a luxury hotel located at the entrance of the new capital, which is aimed to become the administrative and financial hub of Egypt.

“We are delighted to be working with the National Authority for Management & Investment on this exceptional conversion opportunity to bring St Regis to Egypt’s [NAC],” Ahram Online quoted Jerome Briet, chief development officer for the Middle East and Africa at Marriott International, as saying.

“This signing further enhances the St Regis brand portfolio in the Middle East and Africa and underscores the tremendous momentum that our luxury brands have in the region,” he added.

The hotel encompasses 270 rooms, 90 suites, 60 apartments, and 14 villas. Other facilities include outdoor and indoor swimming pools, a gym, a spa, a clubhouse, and 20 food and beverage outlets.

Almasa Royal Palace, which the owner has operated for the past year, is located adjacent to a 42,000-square-feet convention center that hosts official government conventions and events, as well as official foreign presidents’ visits.

Construction on the new city started in 2015, as part of the government’s development plan to reduce pressure on the existing overpopulated capital, and expand the country’s urban area from 7% to 14%. By mid-2020, the government is planning to relocate all ministries to NAC.