Mohammed VI Tower in Rabat: What Makes It Special

The Mohammed VI Tower is the newest landmark of the Moroccan capital region. It stands on the right bank of the Bouregreg River, in the city of Salé, directly across the river from Rabat, and it has changed the skyline of both cities.

It is officially the tallest building in Morocco. This guide explains what it is, how it was designed and built, what is inside and what to keep in mind if you want to see it during a trip to Rabat.

The shape of the tower is said to come from the image of a rocket ready to launch, a symbol of an economy that looks upward. The slim tower rises from a wide podium of a few floors, which balances its height with a horizontal base.

The tower has a hybrid structure, with a reinforced concrete core and steel frames around it. A tower of this height has to deal with wind and with the movement of the ground, so it has deep foundations and a tuned mass damper, a heavy system near the top that reduces the sway caused by the wind.

Steel, glass and concrete are the main materials. The facade is covered in glass and carries photovoltaic panels.

• Solar panels integrated into the facade, so that they do not stand out.
• A rainwater harvesting system, useful in a region where rain is scarce.
• Sustainability certifications, including LEED Gold and HQE.

The tower is a mixed-use building. It holds a luxury hotel, premium offices, high-end residences, a conference hall, shops and restaurants, and 36 lifts serve its floors. At the top there is a panoramic observation deck. Interior design is by Pierre-Yves Rochon.

The tower is part of the new development around the Bouregreg River, which also includes the Grand Theatre of Rabat, designed by Zaha Hadid. A walk along the river between the two banks shows how the capital is changing, with the old medina and the Kasbah of the Udayas on one side and the new towers on the other.

The tower can be seen from many parts of Rabat and Salé. If you want to go inside, check which areas are open to visitors and when, because access to the hotel, the offices and the observation deck is managed by each operator.

Rabat is a good addition to a route between Casablanca, Fes and Tangier. Our private tours can be adapted, so tell us what you would like to see and we will fit it into your route.