French practice behind 540m high building in Morocco

Plans have been unveiled to build Africa’s tallest skyscraper in Morocco.

The building in Casablanca has been designed by Paris-based practice Valode & Pistre and at 540m will be more than double the continent’s current tallest tower, the 223m Carlton Centre in Johannesburg.

According to the project’s website, the design of Al Noor Tower is aimed at giving the feeling of a wedding dress.

“The height of 540m to remind us that Africa has 54 countries. Everyone in Africa will feel part of that tower,” it says and adds: “More than a building, Al Noor Tower is a program to increase employment, tourism and bring prosperity to the country with a huge benefit for the population and the government.”

The building will include a seven-star hotel, a business centre and a shopping mall.

Work on the tower is expected to start this summer and will be built by Dubai-based Middle East Development LLC. It is due to complete in summer 2018.