Hacienda Ras El Hekma vs Silversands · The 2026 Complete Comparison

Hacienda Ras El Hekma vs Silversands · The 2026 Complete Comparison

After the USD 35 billion Ras El Hekma deal was announced in February 2024, the area became the new gold standard of Egypt's coastal market. Two projects now dominate the premium shortlist: Hacienda Ras El Hekma by Palm Hills, and Silversands by ORA Developers (Naguib Sawiris). Both sit inside Ras El Hekma, both are still under construction, and both target the high-end buyer — but the right answer depends on your budget, your luxury philosophy, and your developer preference.

In one line · TL;DR

| Metric | Hacienda Ras El Hekma | Silversands | |---|---|---| | Developer | [Palm Hills](/en/developers/palm-hills) | [ORA Developers](/en/developers/ora-developers) | | Location | Ras El Hekma, KM 198 | Ras El Hekma, KM 215 | | Total area | 593 acres | 500 acres | | Total units | ~1,800 | ~1,500 | | Beach length | 800 m | 1,500 m | | Starting price | EGP 14.5M | EGP 17.8M | | Starting EGP/sqm | 145,000 | 175,000 | | Down payment | 5% | 5% | | Installment years | 10 | 10 | | Delivery year | 2028 | 2027 |

Project overviews

Hacienda Ras El Hekma

Hacienda Ras El Hekma is the fifth launch in the successful Hacienda family (Bay, White, West, Heneish, Ras El Hekma). Announced in 2023 across 593 acres at KM 198 of the Alamein–Marsa Matrouh corridor, months before the headline Ras El Hekma deal. It benefits from a luxurious, quiet setting on the eastern end of Ras El Hekma, an 800 m private beach, an internal crystal lagoon, a hotel-grade clubhouse, and Hacienda's well-known "small private village" philosophy. 5% down over 10 years is one of the longest installment plans currently offered on the coast. Delivery expected 2028. Primary buyer: existing Hacienda Bay/White owners buying a second home, or new buyers with mid-tier coastal budgets.

Silversands

Silversands is ORA Developers' (Naguib Sawiris) flagship launch in Ras El Hekma, announced in late 2022 across 500 acres at KM 215. It is the first project in Egypt to feature Faena Branded Residences (the global Faena brand from Miami and Dubai), a beach club designed by Foster + Partners, and a 60-room boutique hotel. The beach is 1.5 km of fine white sand, 70% green coverage, contemporary architecture by Foster + Partners. Delivery expected 2027. Primary buyer: luxury Gulf buyers, Egyptian families with budgets above EGP 25M, and investors targeting the highest rental yields on the coast.

Location showdown

| Distance to | Hacienda Ras El Hekma | Silversands | |---|---|---| | New Alamein | 70 km | 90 km | | Alamein Airport | 73 km | 92 km | | Marsa Matrouh | 75 km | 55 km | | Cairo (via Fouka Road) | 350 km | 348 km |

Silversands wins location within Ras El Hekma — it sits in the geographic heart of the area (the most-coveted portion per the government plan), is closer to Marsa Matrouh, and is in the zone the state is concentrating its investment on. Hacienda is on the eastern edge, closer to New Alamein and easier to access from Cairo.

Master plan & density

• Hacienda Ras El Hekma: 1,800 units on 593 acres ≈ 3 units/acre. Very low density, 75% green and lagoons, buildings capped at 3 floors.
• Silversands: 1,500 units on 500 acres ≈ 3 units/acre. Low density, 70% green, buildings capped at 3 floors, detailed contemporary architecture by Foster + Partners.

Both are very low density. The core difference is architectural philosophy: Hacienda is "traditional Mediterranean coast"; Silversands is "modern contemporary."

Unit types & sizes

Hacienda Ras El Hekma

• Chalets: 130–200 sqm, 2 to 4 bedrooms
• Townhouses: 230–300 sqm
• Twin houses: 280–360 sqm
• Standalone villas: 380–500 sqm
• Penthouses: 230–280 sqm

Silversands

• Beach Villas: 380–550 sqm
• Lagoon Villas: 280–420 sqm
• Townhouses: 250–350 sqm
• Chalets (Marina side): 150–220 sqm
• Penthouses: 260–320 sqm
• Faena Branded Residences: 240–380 sqm

The two are tied on unit variety. Silversands has a unique advantage: Faena Branded Residences which come with full hotel service (housekeeping, concierge, valet) — no Hacienda equivalent.

2026 pricing comparison

| Unit | Hacienda Ras El Hekma | Silversands | |---|---|---| | 150 sqm chalet starts from | EGP 21.8M | EGP 26.3M | | 180 sqm chalet starts from | EGP 26.1M | EGP 31.5M | | Townhouse starts from | EGP 38M | EGP 46M | | Standalone villa starts from | EGP 58M | EGP 72M | | Faena Branded Residence | Not available | EGP 65M starts from | | Starting EGP/sqm | 145,000 | 175,000 |

Hacienda is ~17–21% cheaper per sqm than Silversands. The delta reflects: (1) Silversands' better location within Ras El Hekma, (2) Faena and Foster + Partners pulling cost up, (3) Silversands' beach is roughly 2× longer. Payment plans are identical (5% down, 10 years).

Amenities comparison

| Amenity | Hacienda Ras El Hekma | Silversands | |---|:-:|:-:| | Private beach | 800 m | 1,500 m | | Crystal lagoon | Yes | Yes | | Yacht marina | No | Yes (small) | | Foster + Partners beach club | No | Yes | | Faena Branded Residences | No | Yes | | Boutique hotel | Partial | Yes (60 rooms) | | Clubhouse | Yes | Yes | | Summer school | Yes | Yes | | Sports club | Yes | Yes |

Silversands wins amenities by a clear margin — Faena Residences, the Foster Beach Club, and the boutique hotel are advantages with no current Hacienda equivalent. Hacienda offsets with the "personal compound" philosophy that Hacienda owners are accustomed to.

Developer track record

Palm Hills Developments

Founded 1997, 25+ delivered projects. The Hacienda family includes 4 fully delivered villages (Bay, White, Sidi Heneish, Hacienda Heneish). Coastal track record specifically is very clean, with short delays (3–6 months) in some phases.

ORA Developers

Founded in 2017 by Naguib Sawiris after Orascom Construction was divested. Six major projects globally: ZED East, ZED West, Solana, Silversands, O West (October), ZED Sheikh Zayed, and Ogami in Ras El Hekma. Its earliest projects (ZED East, O West) delivered on time in 2022–2024. Short record but clean.

Palm Hills wins on track record thanks to long coastal experience and the delivery record of 4 Hacienda villages. ORA has a high-quality philosophy but a shorter coastal record (4 years).

Investment perspective

Price evolution 2024–2026 (post the Ras El Hekma deal)

• Hacienda Ras El Hekma: 22.4% annualised growth (EGP/sqm from 95,000 to 145,000)
• Silversands: 26.1% annualised growth (EGP/sqm from 110,000 to 175,000)

Short-term rental yield (summer season, 2028 forecast)

• Hacienda: 8.6% annualised
• Silversands: 9.2% annualised

Silversands wins on investment — higher starting basis but a faster growth curve, with stronger expected Gulf demand thanks to the Faena brand. Hacienda is lower-risk because the buyer base is known and the price is lower.

Who should buy each

Buy Hacienda Ras El Hekma if you:

• Like the Hacienda philosophy you've seen in Bay/White
• Have a budget of EGP 15–30M for a chalet or townhouse
• Prefer a developer with a track record of 4 delivered coastal villages
• Are comfortable with traditional Mediterranean architecture
• Prefer the section of Ras El Hekma that's closer to Cairo (eastern end)

Buy Silversands if you:

• Want a globally-branded asset (Faena, Foster + Partners)
• Have a budget above EGP 25M
• Are an investor chasing the highest yield from Gulf demand
• Like contemporary architecture and luxury detailing
• Can wait for 2027 delivery and benefit from 5% down over 10 years

The verdict

The choice between Hacienda Ras El Hekma and Silversands is not a "better or worse" call. The two projects take entirely different coastal philosophies:

• Hacienda Ras El Hekma for Hacienda owners and local buyers: if your goal is to own in the 30-year-old Hacienda family, or your budget is mid-tier and you prefer a developer with a long delivery record, Hacienda is the natural choice.
• Silversands for the "global brand" buyer: if your budget allows and you like the idea of a Faena Branded Residence or Foster + Partners detailing, or you're an investor chasing the highest Gulf-market yield, Silversands is the only project delivering at that level in Ras El Hekma.

To narrow this down to your budget and goals, talk to a specialist who'll compare based on your needs.

FAQs

What's the core difference between Hacienda Ras El Hekma and Silversands?

Hacienda Ras El Hekma is the fifth launch in the Hacienda family, with traditional Mediterranean architecture and a mid-tier price. Silversands is ORA's premium project with Faena Branded Residences and a Foster + Partners beach club, with a contemporary luxury philosophy and a premium price.

Which is cheaper in 2026?

Hacienda Ras El Hekma is ~17–21% cheaper per sqm. A 150 sqm chalet starts at EGP 21.8M; the same in Silversands starts at EGP 26.3M (April 2026).

Which is better for investment?

Silversands posted 26.1% annualised growth vs 22.4% for Hacienda in 2024–2026. Silversands is better for long-term appreciation; Hacienda is lower-risk thanks to developer track record.

How long is the beach at each?

Hacienda Ras El Hekma: 800 m. Silversands: 1,500 m (roughly 2× Hacienda).

Which delivers faster?

Silversands is expected to deliver in 2027; Hacienda in 2028. If speed matters, Silversands is one year ahead.

What are the Faena Branded Residences at Silversands?

Faena is a luxury hotel brand from Miami and Dubai offering residential units with full hotel service (housekeeping, concierge, valet, spa). Silversands is the first Faena project in Egypt. Units carry a price premium in exchange for the permanent service.

Does either have a golf course?

Neither has an onsite golf course. The nearest is the Diplo Open course in Alamein, 70–90 km away.

Which is better for a large family?

Hacienda Ras El Hekma — lower density, personal-compound philosophy, and standalone villas at the same budget are larger than at Silversands. If your family is already used to Hacienda Bay/White, Hacienda Ras El Hekma is the natural extension.

What are the payment plans?

Both offer 5% down over 10 years. The difference is the delivery year: Silversands 2027, Hacienda 2028.

Further reading

• Palm Hills and the complete Hacienda family
• ORA Developers and Naguib Sawiris' portfolio
• Ras El Hekma guide: all projects after the USD 35B deal
• How to invest in Ras El Hekma in 2026
• Hacienda Bay vs Marassi
• Ogami vs Evia

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