Morocco unveils rocket-inspired skyscraper

Morocco has officially inaugurated the Mohammed VI Tower, a 55-story, $700 million skyscraper that now dominates the skyline of Rabat’s twin city, Salé. Inspired by a rocket on its launchpad—a nod to billionaire Othmane Benjelloun’s 1969 visit to NASA—the 820-foot structure is one of Africa’s tallest buildings. It houses a Waldorf Astoria hotel, luxury apartments, offices, and restaurants, and has already appeared on the country’s 200-dirham banknote. Strategically located near Zaha Hadid’s Grand Theatre, the tower serves as a glittering symbol of Morocco’s “soft power” and its drive to attract global tourists ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup. The project is a monumental achievement in engineering. However, it also highlights the regional tension between high-profile Atlantic corridor developments and the ongoing economic needs of the country’s interior.

AP