The $700 million moon landing-inspired tower in Africa’s most visited country is now in use

The Kingdom of Morocco has officially inaugurated its $700 million rocket-inspired skyscraper, which currently serves as the tallest structure in the North African nation.

• Morocco has inaugurated the $700 million King Mohammed VI Tower, now the tallest building in North Africa at 250 meters.
• The skyscraper was inspired by the Saturn V rocket Benjelloun saw during his 1969 NASA visit.
• Located in Rabat, the 55-story building offers residential units, premium commercial spaces, and a luxury Waldorf Astoria hotel.
• Observers on the 55th floor can view Rabat and the Royal Theater by Zaha Hadid, with future development planned nearby.

The 250-meter (820-foot) tall structure, dubbed the King Mohammed VI Tower, is said to have been inspired by the rocket that sent man to the moon.

Located at the outskirts of the country’s capital, Rabat, the 55-story building envisioned by billionaire financier Othmane Benjelloun is said to have taken the last 8 years to materialize, before being inaugurated earlier this month.

The project’s conception came after Benjelloun visited the United States’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration in 1969.

There, he observed the preparations of the Saturn V rocket for the Apollo 12 mission, which represented the second successful endeavor to land American astronauts on the moon.

The billionaire, as reported by Bloomberg, began formally welcoming visitors into the awe-inspiring building.

Thirty residential units and premium commercial spaces are currently available for purchase.

Also, a 55-room Waldorf Astoria, recognized as the most boutique establishment within the luxury brand, has commenced guest reception.

From the observatory on the 55th floor, guests can take in panoramic views of the twin cities, including the renowned Royal Theater designed by the late Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid.

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“We built an iconic monument for the Bouregreg Valley in particular, and the capital Rabat in general,” said Laila Haddaoui, a senior executive at O Tower, the project’s developer.

The property is being controlled by three primary investors under Benjelloun, including the Bank of Africa and insurance provider RMA.

Although the building seems isolated, there are currently plans to populate the surrounding river plain with other infrastructures.

Nearby, the Rabat-Sale airport is nearing the completion of a new terminal that will expand its annual capacity to 5 million travelers.

This infrastructure growth aligns with expectations for a significant boost in tourism as Morocco prepares to co-host the 2030 men's FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.

Having welcomed over 19.8 million visitors last year, Morocco maintains its status as the most visited nation in Africa.