By Patrick Koune
On the crystalline shores of the Red Sea, Sharm El Sheikh is preparing to host one of the most ambitious and visionary projects in the Middle East. Named Sharm Bay Marina, this large-scale development, entrusted to Studio Marco Piva, redefines the contours of contemporary luxury by combining architecture, landscape and lifestyle maritime in a global, coherent and resolutely international approach.
Conceived for the Talat Moustafa Group, the project was entrusted to Studio Marco Piva, whose signature style is showcased here at its highest level of expression. At the crossroads of Italian Mediterranean influences and the sun-drenched identity of the Egyptian coast, Sharm Bay Marina does more than simply build a new district: it creates a true lifestyle.
Sharm El Sheikh, a natural gem and exceptional destination
Beyond its renowned hotel infrastructure, Sharm El Sheikh Captivated by a unique wealth of tourist attractions, shaped by the meeting of desert, sea, and coral reefs, the region is a true marine sanctuary. It boasts some of the world's finest diving sites, particularly in Ras Mohammed National Park and around the Straits of Tiran, where coral gardens, vibrant marine life, and translucent waters offer an unparalleled underwater experience. On land, the contrast is equally striking: the Sinai mountains, mineral canyons, hidden wadis, and Bedouin villages create a spectacular hinterland, ideal for excursions, contemplation, and gentle adventure. From sunset cruises and desert safaris to wellness experiences and cultural discoveries, Sharm El Sheikh stands out as a complete destination, where luxury blends seamlessly with the unspoiled power of nature.
A marina as its beating heart
Spanning over 1,2 million square meters around a world-class international marina, adjacent to the Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh, the project is organized around the sea as its anchor point. Capable of accommodating 320 yachts, the marina becomes the epicenter of a meticulously planned community, where private residences, hotels, shops, and leisure spaces blend seamlessly.
Here, the sea is not a backdrop: it structures uses, perspectives and rhythms of life. Promenades lined with arcades, lively quays, terraces open to the horizon and framed views of the Sinai mountains compose a natural scenography of rare intensity.
A reinterpreted Mediterranean architecture
The architectural DNA of Sharm Bay Marina draws on the timeless elegance of the Mediterranean. Arcades, porticoes, rhythmic facades, and tiered volumes are reinterpreted to suit the local climate, intense sunlight, and contemporary uses. The materials—mineral plaster, natural stone, and wood—were selected for their ability to harmonize with the landscape and age gracefully.
The terraced layout, the interplay of light and shadow, and the open circulation spaces create a natural continuity between public and private areas. Seafront villas, boathouses directly connected to the water, multi-family residences, and commercial hubs form a harmonious whole, designed on a human scale despite the monumental scale of the project.
A residential ecosystem and lifestyle support
Sharm Bay Marina stands out for the diversity and richness of its program. The project includes 434 villas, including 38 boat houses, 2,430 apartments, three hotels, two beach clubs and a yacht club, as well as a vast commercial area of over 51,000 m².
Cinema, theatre, spa & wellness centre, casino, hypermarket, bowling alley, entertainment areas, gourmet restaurants, premium boutiques: everything is designed to offer a complete living experience, where residents and visitors alike move about in an environment that is lively, fluid and controlled.
The landscape as a common thread
The landscaping, entrusted to AG&P Greenscape, plays a vital role in the narrative of the site. Mediterranean gardens, local plant species, shaded pathways, and green spaces complement the architecture without ever constraining it. The landscape becomes a unifying element, a transitional space, a sensory refuge between the mineral and the marine.
Each viewpoint has been designed to enhance the relationship to the site, whether it be a sunrise over the marina, a sunset over the Red Sea, or an evening stroll along the lively quays.
A new standard for maritime luxury in Egypt
Beyond its architectural dimension, Sharm Bay Marina asserts a clear ambition: to establish a new standard of maritime luxury in Egypt. A luxury that is not limited to aesthetics, but is expressed in the overall coherence of the project, the quality of its uses, the legibility of its spaces, and the creation of a true community.
Driven by an international vision and meticulous execution, this development strengthens Sharm El Sheikh's position on the global destination stage. lifestyle and exceptional nautical attractions.
When the horizon becomes an invitation
Sharm Bay Marina is not a static destination. It's a dynamic territory, a place designed to evolve, to resonate, and to endure. Here, the horizon is never a limit, but a promise—the promise of a lifestyle shaped by the sea, design and freedom.
A manifesto project, where architecture becomes an experience, and where luxury is measured by the quality of the link between man, space and the horizon.
Photos: Studio Marco Piva
