Revamping Royal Air Maroc's Legacy in Casablanca
On the bustling Boulevard Moulay Abdellah Cherif in Casablanca, two aging Boeing 737s and one Boeing 727, all bearing the faded colors of Royal Air Maroc, sit quietly on the tarmac beside a four thousand square meter hangar that dates back to the former Anfa airport. The Boeing 727, registered as CN-CCG, holds a special place in Moroccan history, referred to as 'the Bird of Providence.' This aircraft was notably aboard when King Hassan II faced an assassination attempt on August 16, 1972, as F-5 fighter jets sought to bring it down mid-flight. Now, on this expansive seven-hectare land that the airline has owned for decades, Royal Air Maroc plans to make significant changes, laying the groundwork for a new headquarters that aligns with its ongoing industrial transformation. A design competition was announced on April 6, with submissions due by April 26, and the winner expected to be announced by mid-July.
Strategic Development Amidst Urban Transformation
The selection of this site is not merely nostalgic; it reflects the dramatic transformation of the surrounding area. In recent years, the neighborhood surrounding the Royal Air Maroc plot has undergone a significant facelift, with numerous office towers and high-end residential buildings sprouting up as part of a comprehensive urban development program aimed at enhancing Casablanca's financial hub. This ambitious project is set to produce over three million square meters of built space, accommodating 100,000 workers and an equal number of residents. Until now, the Royal Air Maroc site has stood out as an enclave, characterized by its 27 low-rise buildings, each capped at two stories, amidst a rapidly developing area that is moving skyward. The airline aims to change this narrative by erecting a tower that, according to the competition guidelines, must be a 'high-rise emergence' that will 'reveal the headquarters to the territory.'
As reported by ledesk.ma.
