http://www.egyptindependent.com//news/alex-demolish-85-year-old-villa
Alex to demolish 85-year-old villa
Local authorities in Alexandria have begun demolitions at a historical villa dating back to the early 1900s, as the current owners of the site are planning a new construction.
The villa, a 1930 construction attributed to a wealthy Jewish man named Shekorel, was removed from the Antiquity Ministry’s heritage record in 2008. It was designed by French architects and based on the Art Deco style.
Commenting on popular discontent and archaeological objections to the demolition works, Mohamed Awad, head of the Alexandria Governorate heritage preservation, told Al-Masry Al-Youm that “a sovereign state body” had bought the villa and is planning to erect a tower in its place. Al-Masry Al-Youm has learned that the current owner is the United Arab Shipping Company.
Awad added that the owners obtained permission to conduct the demolitions, pending judicial verdicts, but explained that since the rulings were not final, no permits should be given for construction on the site.
He added that a similar move was made with another ancient villa opposite to the governor’s office days earlier.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
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