PERFECT HOMES MAGAZINE - ISSUE 15 issue 15 | Page 189

Concept: Amedee Santalo - Architecte: Valode & Pistre - Communication & 3D images : Iceberg - Paris Casablanca Morocco lso known as ‘White house’, Casablanca is Morocco’s industrial and business hub. In 2015, Morocco was ranked eighth in Cushman & Wakefield’s list of top emerging markets in the world. The city hosts numerous local and international companies with its main strengths being its close proximity to Europe, and the Port of Casablanca, one of the largest artificial ports in the world and a key international trade route. The city is seeing a number of commercial development projects taking place on e being the Al Noor Tower. Al Noor Tower Looking like the dark fortress of Sauron depicted in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, the Al Noor Tower which is due start construction later this year is being billed as “the tallest tower in Africa” with 114-floors measuring 540 metres in height a tribute to the 54 countries that make up the African continent. The mixed-use building will house a sevenstar luxury hotel, art gallery, spa, fine-dining restaurants and luxury boutiques, alongside an exhibition centre and offices. Spread over 300,000m², the skyscraper will have a built up area of 375,000m², including 335,000m² of dedicated living area. A minimum ground surface occupied by the tower and podium will be 25ha (hectares), whereas the tower alone will occupy seven hectares. The tower will also include a 100m high atrium. The architects behind the tower, Valode & Pistre, say its sweeping design has been inspired by the feel of a wedding dress and that its elongated form resembles the nib of a fountain pen when viewed from the side. The building’s façade will be imprinted with references to the 1,000 languages and dialects spoken in Africa to ensure that “everyone in Africa will feel part of the tower”. For further information visit: www.alnoortower.com PERFECT HOMES INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE 189