Founded in 1943, by the late Eng. Mohamed Dorra, a highly respected statesman, constituent leader and businessman, his passion and affection for the Egyptian people led to the establishment of what is today, one of Egypt’s foremost and respected Construction and Development companies, with strategic investments throughout the region and the influence to follow, being distinguished as one of Egypt’s eldest family run construction business. Dorra Group has welcomed Malak, his great-granddaughter, marking the beginning of the fourth generation.
Since Egypt’s first democratic president, Dorra has resolutely operated, consistently supporting our country and its leaders; from President Mohamed Naguib to President Abdelfattah El Sisi.
Despite being nationalized in 1961; our commitment to Arab nations eventually extended beyond borders, much to the comparable success witnessed back home in Egypt, DORRA Group proved again to be a formidable force in their middle eastern campaign.
“In our pursuit to transcend national borders, the company strategically embraced a collaborative approach, forming joint ventures with renowned international construction entities such as the British firm John Laing International and Costain, American firm Harpers and Howards, Japanese firm Dia-Nippon and the Spanish firm Cimy,” Malak Dorra reveals.
Dorra’s impact on operations and business activities in Egypt positively influenced a major shift in the way Egypt envisioned future cities, pioneering the concept and development of residential compounds in Sheikh Zayed City. Later this became the foundation of success for many property developers, transforming the real estate development landscape nationwide.
Today, Sheikh Zayed City stands as a vibrant home to 95,854 Egyptians, boasting over 60 gated communities and hosting a diverse array of businesses, medical facilities, sporting clubs and educational institutions, embodying a remarkable journey of growth and progress.
Renowned for maintaining long-lasting relationships with their clients, for instance, Dorra was contracted for one of Egypt’s top developers in 2011 and has since been a key partner in their growth and success with over 25 developments to date alongside them.
“We have built cyclic relationships with our clients. Our work speaks for itself,” Dorra says.
“Our construction arm is comprised of nine specialised construction entities, from foundational work all the way through to finishing,” Dorra says. “We can provide developers with a turnkey solution, setting us apart from the rest.”
The Next Step
A Sustainability and Innovation committee was established in 2023. Malak Dorra hopes to usher Dorra into the era of sustainability and innovation within the construction industry. Committed to pioneering environmentally conscious practices and embracing cutting-edge technologies, Dorra Group aims to redefine the future of construction in Egypt, ensuring a sustainable and innovative legacy for years to come.
“The committee is currently assessing the environmental impact of our construction projects, working to minimise carbon footprints, exploring and implementing sustainable materials, reducing waste, and implementing eco-friendly construction practices as much as possible,” Dorra says. “We are actively researching and exploring the integration of advanced materials, such as self-healing concrete and ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), along with the strategic allocation of robotics and automation on construction sites. Our goal is to enhance construction efficiency, durability, and safety through the adoption of cutting-edge technologies.”
Dorra herself envisions a transformative shift in the way her company operates by embracing the opportunities presented by the new digital era. Her focus is on leveraging digital twins and wearable technology to facilitate improved collaboration, streamline data management, and enhance project coordination among various stakeholders.
“This forward-thinking approach aligns with our commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements in the construction industry,” she says.
A Family Firm
Dorra’s profound appreciation for stories and history is deeply rooted in its own narrative as a family business. The familial aspect plays a pivotal role in fostering loyalty and longevity among its workforce, with individuals boasting impressive tenures of 25 to 40 years.
The familial bond extends beyond the workplace, with occurrences of marriages and later generations joining the company. The family element, woven into every facet of the business and team, creates an exceptional work environment. Malak Dorra emphasizes the collaborative spirit that propels the company forward, highlighting the absence of a rigid chain of command. From the leadership team to the family board, an open and supportive environment prevails.
“I was warmly welcomed into the company with open arms, and my peers graciously took the time to teach me on the job. This collaborative and supportive environment has been invaluable in my learning journey, allowing me to quickly integrate into the team and contribute effectively to our shared goals.”
The company’s commitment to its people goes beyond basics. The employer offers a range of benefits from the standard medical care to large corporate events, Mother’s Day celebrations, and the sponsorship of Pilgrimage trips.
“We are currently working on expanding our internship programs from a program offered to undergraduates to a technically developed program that would provide internal training in place of service providers to our new hires,” Dorra says. “This program will be developed within Dorra Academy, as our Dorra Next Gen initiative. We hope to extend our 80 years of knowledge and expertise, towards initiatives that shape the builders, the architects, and the visionaries of tomorrow.”
A Tale of Cities
Rather than viewing the business merely as brick and mortar, the perspective at Dorra Group transcends rigid structures. According to Malak, the company sees itself as a transformative force impacting people’s lives and leaving an indelible mark on each project undertaken. Highlighting the fact that individuals significantly spend 90% of their time either in or by a building. These structures are more than static entities: beyond their four walls, they encapsulate narratives rich with history and the personal experiences of individuals.
Dorra projects hold a myriad of stories, this includes Aga Khan’s Mausoleum, built by Dorra Group in 1957 for Sir Sultan Mohamed Shah, Aga Khan III
“Before passing, he asked his wife to build a mausoleum for him to rest, in his beloved Egypt,” Dorra recalls. “Since the mausoleum was built, his wife would lay a red rose on its footsteps to symbolise the love she had for her husband, and she entrusted this tradition to the groundkeepers. 60 years later, a fresh red rose lays on its doorstep every day.”
While the Aga Khan Mausoleum is a beautiful structure, Al Nahda tower, for instance, is akin to any normal building. However, this building symbolises the collective childhoods of the Egyptian populace, home to the production and printing of the national Egyptian curriculum, Selah El Telmeez, and the Mickey Mouse comic series.
“Our journey is not one merely in the past. As part of Egypt’s horizontal development, headed by President Abdelfattah El Sisi, Dorra was awarded The Gate Tower LD05 for City Edge Developments,” Dorra tells us. “The gate is a landmark and testament to Egypt’s growth. The tower tells the story of the Gate into Egypt’s future. A building that has now been added to the carousel of landmarks found on one Egyptian pound.”
Dorra stands testament to the delicate balance between tradition and progress. Developing Ideas, building realities.
