Al Noor Tower (Tower of Light) is a planned skyscraper, to be constructed by Dubai-based Middle East Development, that once constructed will be the tallest in Africa. The mixed-use tower will be located in Casablanco, Morocco and will be 540 meters tall, making it far and away the tallest building on the continent, twuce as takk as Africa's current tallest building, the Carlton Center in Johannesburg.
The building's design is likened to that of a fountain pen, and tapers upwards into a pair of blades. The 540-meter height was supposedly chosen to reflect the total number of African countries -- 54 is pretty much correct, depending on who you ask. The building will boast 114 storeys -- 114 represents the number of surahs (chapters) in the Quran.
Construction on Al Noor Tower is set to begin in June 2015 and should be completed in 2018. The project will cost approximately $1 billion.
Groundbreaking African Skyscrapers
Africa's Tallest Skyscraper Will Be Built in Morocco
Trend Themes
1. Vertical Urbanization - The trend of building taller and taller buildings to accommodate growing urban populations creates opportunities for innovation in construction materials, energy and water usage and waste management.
2. African Luxury Real Estate - The trend of high-end real estate developments in Africa creates disruptive opportunities for architects, property developers, and service providers to provide innovative design, engineering and hospitality services.
3. Islamic Architecture - The trend of designing Islamic-inspired architectural projects presents innovative opportunities in symbolic representation, geometry and cultural studies.
Industry Implications
1. Construction - The construction industry, particularly in Africa, stands to benefit from the trend of vertical urbanization by developing new technologies, materials and methodologies to improve the speed, safety, and sustainability of construction processes.
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3. Tourism & Hospitality - The tourism and hospitality industry, particularly in Africa, stands to benefit from the trend of Islamic-inspired architectural projects by providing innovative experiences, services and facilities that cater to the needs and expectations of Muslim travelers.