Mohammed VI Tower Sets New Benchmark for Skyline in Africa

Construction is complete on the Mohammed VI Tower, a new architectural icon that stands as the tallest tower in Morocco. Rising 250 meters above the Bouregreg Valley in Rabat, the tower is a symbol of Morocco’s modern ambitions. Visible from 50 kilometers away, the 55-story tower emerges from a four-level podium, creating a striking rocket-like silhouette on Rabat’s skyline.

Awarded in 2018 by O TOWER, BESIX delivered the project in a joint venture with its partner TGCC under a Design-Build contract, covering full responsibility for design, engineering, procurement and construction, including structural works, façades, advanced electro-mechanical building systems, luxurious finishes and furniture.

The tower spans 102,800 square meters and houses a Waldorf Astoria luxury hotel, offices, high-end apartments and a panoramic observation deck. Created by architects Rafael de la Hoz and Hakim Benjelloun, the building is served by 36 elevators — 21 in the tower and 15 in the podium.

The team’s engineering department played a key role in developing strong technical solutions to withstand seismic activity, strong winds and potential flooding from the nearby Bouregreg River, guaranteeing safety and performance for Morocco’s tallest tower.

The tower rests on 60-meter-deep foundations made of 104 concrete barrettes designed to ensure long-term stability for the structure in a challenging geotechnical environment.

The tower combines a high-strength inner concrete core with an outer structural steel frame acting as a tube-in-tube for lateral load distribution. This hybrid system provides exceptional stability against wind and seismic forces while enabling column-free floors for flexible layouts.

To counter wind-induced movement and seismic vibrations, engineers installed an innovative 160 ton tuned-mass damper system at the top that ensures comfort and stability for residents in the upper floors.

The tower’s façade, designed by the team’s in-house façade department, features on the north elevation a high-performance unitized glazed curtainwall with decorative metal fins, rising to the iconic observatory deck. The south elevation combines an opaque curtainwall with a mix of metal panels, louvers and 1,800 square meters of photovoltaic panels, generating renewable energy for a microgrid supplying the building’s systems. The podium roof adds another 2,200 square meters of photovoltaic panels, underlining the project’s strong focus on energy performance.

Beyond energy efficiency, the tower integrates advanced MEP systems, including energy recovery systems and rainwater harvesting systems. These solutions support the ambition to achieve LEED Gold and HQE certifications, positioning the tower among the most innovative and high-performing developments in Africa.