Middle East Development, a Dubai-based company, has announced plans to build Africa's tallest skyscraper. Designed by Paris-based Valode & Pistre, Al Noor Tower will be built in Casablanca, Morocco, and will include a five-star hotel, offices, business center, and shopping mall, according to ArchDaily.
Al Noor will stand 540 meters tall, more than double the height of Johannesburg's 223-meter Carlton Center, currently the tallest building on the continent.
The $1 billion tower will have 114 stories, alluding to the 114 chapters of the Koran.
On the project's website, the development team describes the design inspiration:
"The design of Al Noor Tower is elegant and gives the feeling of a wedding dress. From the side, the tower look like a fountain pen, which is the tool that Sheikh Tarek [Chairman of Middle East Development] is using to design the future. The height of the tower is 540 meters to remind us that Africa has 54 countries. Everyone in Africa will feel part of that tower."
The tower is slated for completion in 2018.
Related Stories
High-rise Construction | Oct 5, 2016
Plans for Hudson Yards skyscraper from Bjarke Ingels have officially been filed
The 65-story tower will be primarily office space and has an estimated development cost of $3.2 billion
Sustainability | Oct 4, 2016
One World Trade Center officially awarded LEED Gold certification
The skyscraper received the certification despite a setback caused by Hurricane Sandy.
High-rise Construction | Sep 23, 2016
A massive redevelopment in Tokyo reunites developer and architect
Mitsui Fudosan and SOM join forces to create OH-1, a mixed-use complex with a prominent public square.
High-rise Construction | Sep 12, 2016
Bangkok’s tallest tower is also one of its most unique
At 1,030 feet tall, MahaNakhon Tower’s height is only outdone by its arresting design.
Mixed-Use | Sep 9, 2016
Rolled book scroll-inspired mixed-use project from Aedas planned for Chongqing, China
With a bookstore at the heart of the development, the project looks to exemplify an ancient Chinese proverb that says “knowledge brings wealth.”
Office Buildings | Sep 8, 2016
Taipei’s Lè Architecture, designed by Aedas, is almost complete
The 18-story building is designed to resemble a moss-covered river pebble in Taipei’s Nangang District.
High-rise Construction | Sep 8, 2016
Construction on the tallest residential tower in western Europe could start early next year
China’s Greenland Group is the developer of four of the world’s 10 largest skyscrapers
High-rise Construction | Sep 8, 2016
Lendlease to build Aykon London One Tower
Damac, the Dubai-based developer of the project, selected the Australian property construction and development company to build the tower.
High-rise Construction | Sep 7, 2016
Shenzhen Kingkey Group submits re-planning package for what could become China’s tallest tower
The high-rise, H700 Shenzhen Tower, is one of a group of towers being built in Shenzhen’s Caiwuwei financial and commercial area.
High-rise Construction | Sep 6, 2016
Peddle Thorp Architects' solar-powered Melbourne high-rise looks to go off the grid
The skyscraper would be the first in Australia to incorporate solar cells in its façade.
