Morocco on Tuesday opened the Mohammed VI Tower to the media, unveiling the country’s tallest building and one of Africa’s most ambitious architectural projects, after eight years of construction and a reported cost of 6.5 billion dirhams.
Rising 250 metres above the Rabat-Salé metropolitan area, the 55-storey structure was officially inaugurated on April 13 by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, marking the culmination of a project that blends commercial, residential, hospitality and cultural functions in a single vertical complex.
The tower is positioned as a flagship development for the capital region and a symbol of Morocco’s broader urban modernisation drive.
Developed by a consortium led by Bank of Africa, alongside RMA and O Capital Group, the project reflects a long-term investment strategy aimed at positioning Rabat-Salé as a regional business and tourism hub.
The design of the tower was led by Spanish architect Rafael de la Hoz, working with Moroccan architect Hakim Benjelloun and French interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon. Construction was carried out by Belgian engineering group Besix in partnership with Moroccan contractor TGCC.
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According to project developers, the building’s distinctive rocket-like silhouette was inspired by a 1969 visit to NASA by financier Othman Benjelloun, whose vision helped shape the conceptual foundations of the tower decades later.
The structure’s design and engineering required deep foundations extending up to 60 metres underground, a factor that contributed significantly to rising costs, alongside pandemic-related delays and inflation in construction materials such as aluminium.
The final cost rose from an initial estimate of 4 billion dirhams to 6.5 billion dirhams, according to project data.
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The tower’s interior programme is organised vertically, combining multiple uses across its floors. The lower levels house 26 office plateaus designed for corporate tenants, while 30 floors above are dedicated to residential apartments.
From the 29th to the 49th floors, the building is occupied by the Waldorf Astoria Rabat-Salé, the brand’s first property in Africa. The hotel includes 55 rooms and suites, with 38 suites in total, and offers luxury accommodation starting at around 9,000 dirhams per night.
Dining within the hotel includes Aldabaran, a signature restaurant concept created by chef Alain Ducasse, alongside a ballroom spanning more than 1,400 square metres and a lounge space known as Peacock Alley on the 30th floor.
At the summit of the tower, the top two floors have been opened to the public, offering cultural and educational experiences. The 50th floor features an augmented-reality exhibition showcasing the historical heritage of Rabat and Salé, while the 51st floor hosts a permanent installation titled “The Sky Speaks Arabic,” focused on Arab-Andalusian scientific and astronomical heritage.
The upper observation level, known as the “Cockpit,” provides 360-degree panoramic views over the twin cities and surrounding coastline. Public access has been priced at 250 dirhams for adults and 80 dirhams for minors, with bookings reportedly fully reserved for months ahead of opening.
Project developers say the tower aims to combine economic utility with cultural storytelling, positioning it as both a commercial asset and a symbolic landmark.
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Construction involved around 2,500 workers and engineers from 15 different nationalities, reflecting the international scope of the project.
Officials and developers have described the Mohammed VI Tower as a defining addition to Morocco’s skyline and a signal of the country’s ambition to expand its high-end infrastructure, tourism appeal and financial services capacity.
With office and residential leasing set to roll out in the coming months, the tower is expected to become a major node in Rabat-Salé’s evolving urban landscape, anchoring a broader strategy of capital-region development and investment attraction.
As Morocco continues to invest in large-scale infrastructure and architectural landmarks, the tower stands as a visible marker of its efforts to position itself as a leading regional hub for business, tourism and culture.
