For over a century and a half, the first administrative headquarter of the Suez Canal Company in Ismailia has been an evidence of superior artistic mastery. It was constructed by the French upon a resolution from the renowned diplomat Ferdinand de Lesseps in 1862, while Khedive Ismail was keen to officially inaugurate the building himself in 1869.
The historical building is considered an architectural masterpiece due to its magnificent design. It combines both Arab Islamic and European architectural styles, as it consists of a rectangular space, with a large central patio which the building units, over a hundred chambers, overlooks. The building covers an area of 10,000 square meters, with a basement of 1200 square meters, and a usable area of 5,500 square meters, while the remaining space is occupied by gardens and corridors.
The building witnessed decisive moments, years of challenge and the resilience of minds behind the Suez Canal project’s planning and execution. As one of the very first buildings constructed by the administration of the Suez Canal during the excavation of the project, the building was a major focal point for the project's management. Also, the building itself witnessed multiple expansions in 1906, 1911, 1920, 1924 and 1946, till it witnessed the Nationalization in 1956, when its offices witnessed the first spark of the nationalization epic.
The resolution of turning the ancient historical building into a universal museum of the Canal came out of the Suez Canal Authority's keenness on immortalizing and reviving the Canal's history. The museum comprises historical collectables and up to 2000 artefacts exhibited in 12 exhibition halls, telling the story of the Canal from its excavation until present time.