It’s official: the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Cairo is complete. What an incredible achievement!
After more than a decade of dedication, BESIX teams, in partnership with Orascom Construction, have delivered one of the most ambitious cultural projects ever built. Located near the pyramids of Giza, the GEM is the largest museum in the world devoted to a single civilisation.
This project is a true showcase of BESIX’s ability to manage complexity. With an architectural structure that has no parallel axes or repeated angles, 25-metre-high ceilings and a massive white concrete roof slab, each element represented an exceptional technical challenge. Added to this were precision operations such as the meticulous installation of the 11-metre-high statue of Ramses II before the structural work was completed, and the delicate relocation of the 4,500-year-old Solar Boat. It was a masterpiece of coordination, ingenuity and teamwork.
The museum covers 490,000 m² and took over 120 million hours of work, with support from more than 300 suppliers and partners – all made possible thanks to the incredible dedication of our teams in every area, from design and engineering to logistics and planning.
As our CEO Pierre Sironval said: “We can be proud to bring our Belgian and international expertise to big, complex projects like the Grand Egyptian Museum. What makes us stand out is how well we collaborate, adapt to challenges, and stay open to different cultures – that’s what helps us succeed on projects like this.”
And now, it’s ready to welcome the world. The Grand Egyptian Museum will officially open its doors on November 1st.
A huge thank you to everyone who contributed – past and present. Your work has helped create a space that will inspire generations and celebrate Egypt’s rich heritage for years to come.
This achievement joins BESIX’s growing list of cultural landmarks. The GEM has already received multiple international awards – and it’s a proud moment for all of us.
Let’s celebrate this milestone together and the amazing people behind it.
