RABAT (MAROCCO) (ITALPRESS) – The Mohammed VI Tower dominates today on the skyline of the capital of the Kingdom of Morocco, Rabat, and its twin city, the ancient Salé. The structure recently inaugurated in the name of S.M. King Mohammed VI from S.A.R. Crown Prince Moulay Hassan is one of the highest towers on the African continent.
Its realization was initiated by the Moroccan entrepreneur Othman Benjelloun, president and founder of O Capital Group, one of the main protagonists of the Moroccan economy, while the project management was entrusted to its subsidiary O Tower. Located in the heart of the Oked Bouregreg valley, near the mouth of the river whose waters flow from the mountains of the Middle Atlas to the Atlantic Ocean, the tower represents a project of great reach, fruit of almost eight years of work of an imposing yard and the meticulous contribution of the most talented Moroccan and international professionals.
The design of the Tower was entrusted to the study of Madrid architecture Rafael de La-Hoz Arquitectos, known for numerous works of international importance, in collaboration with the Moroccan architect Hakim Benjelloun. Design draws inspiration from a journey made by Othman Benjelloun in 1969, when he was invited by NASA to attend a flight simulation in preparation for the launch of Apollo 12 to the Moon. From this particularly significant experience a dream was born destined to take shape half a century later: that of a tower whose lines evoked the silhouette of a rocket on its launch platform. The Mohammed VI Tower thus becomes a symbol of the emergence of the African continent and the ascent of Morocco under the guidance of the ruler Mohammed VI, who wanted to give this emblematic monument the honor of bringing its august name.
The Tower is a real urban destination within the Rabat-Salé area. With its 55 floors and a total surface area of 102,800 m2, it combines all the components of a prestigious multifunctional complex: offices with the most advanced technologies, apartments with spectacular views, an observatory and exhibition spaces. The base houses a representative hall, several restaurants – including the Brasserie Magnolia signed by chef Lahcen Hafid – a large reception hall, an exhibition gallery and a banking branch. Starting from the 29th floor, suspended between heaven and earth, there is a luxury hotel of 55 rooms, branded Waldorf Astoria, destined to become the most exclusive address of the Moroccan capital, offering an experience of stay in the name of excellence and a highly refined service, enriched by an exceptional gastronomic restaurant signed by the famous chef Alain Ducasse.
On the 50th floor, the Heritage Observatory offers an immersive and interactive experience: thanks to the subdivision of the glass surfaces, visitors can actually explore the main monuments and sites of interest of Rabat and Salé. On the 51st floor, finally, the “piloting chamber” of the Tower, 22 meters high, invites you to discover the fundamental contribution of the Arab-Alpine civilization to the history of astronomy through the exhibition “The sky speaks Arabic”. The realization, in “Design & Build” formula, was entrusted to a consortium composed of BESIX, a Belgian group specialized in the realization of complex works and already protagonist of the construction of the Burj Khalifa, and TGCC, Moroccan leader in the field of public works and construction. The most advanced technical solutions were adopted within the construction site, with a particular focus on sustainability. The Tower incorporates, in fact, a significant eco-responsible component: the south façade and the base are covered by a double leather consisting of 3,900 m2 of high-performance photovoltaic panels, able to capture and enhance solar energy. This solution effectively combines thermal protection and green energy production, in a harmonious balance between aesthetic performance and technological performance.
A dialogue between the best of craftsmanship and contemporary design The French interior architect Pierre-Yves Rochon, internationally known for the projects made for some of the most prestigious luxury hotels in the world, including the famous Waldorf Astoria New York, has been entrusted with the design and decoration of elegant, refined and luminous environments. Contemporary and timeless spaces, in which they find full expression noble materials such as white marble, engraved bronze, brushed brass, Cordova leather, ceramic zellige and refined boiserie. On the explicit request of the client, the brand “PYR” gave rise to a harmonious dialogue between the excellence of the art of living Moroccan and the extraordinary savoir-faire of the maâlems, the master craftsmen from cities such as Rabat, Salé, Fès, Meknès and Marrakech, and the essential lines of contemporary design, giving rise to a collective creation of rare intensity.
Almost 7,000 works signed by about 143 Moroccan and international artists are presented to art lovers, creating a true artistic journey, which fits fully into the vision of Rabat, “City of Lights, Moroccan Capital of Culture”. An artistic selection that also includes rare pieces, made in respect of the imposing dimensions of the Tower: monumental doors in wrought iron, giant sculptures, murals, painted ceilings, stucco walls and traditional chalk calligraphies, including the quotations of the poets of the Andalusian golden age Al-Idrissi and Ibn Al-Khatib. Visible from the main sites of the capital, such as the mausoleum of Mohammed V, the Hassan Tower, the Kasbah of Oudayas, the necropolis of Chellah, the great almohade mosque of Salé, and up to a radius of 60 km, the silhouette of the Mohammed VI Tower harmoniously fits into the dialogue with the reference points of the heritage of a jewel city classified by UNESCO and today tourist destination in full development.
– Press office photos –
(ITALPRESS).
