Africa Plans to Reach for the Sky, Again
What is more mesmerizing than a skyscraper? A skyscraper on a man-made island...




What is more mesmerizing than a skyscraper? A skyscraper on a man-made island. The founder and design director of Xcassia, Jean-Paul Cassia has revealed plans to build the spiraling Zanzibar Domino commercial tower on the West Coast of Tanzania‘s Zanzibar Archipelago. The 370,000 sqm tower is said to become Africa’s tallest second building as well as the biggest hotel in East and Central Africa.
Inspired by stacked dominos, this tower features 360 “keys” that build up into an observation platform at the top. Cassia considers this project to be a legacy that is as unique to the developer as it is to them. After his late father’s death in 2009, Cassia was playing a round of dominos with his two children when he got the idea behind this unique building. Influenced by the mathematical order, geometries, and pure lines that are innate in nature, Xcassia has aimed to develop a skyscraper characterized by the bearings of an icon that can be remembered and drawn by anyone; however, all it required was an investor and a potential site to build it on.
Originally, this tower was meant to be built in both Vietnam and Saudi Arabia but was later relocated to Africa after the Tanzanian AICL Group and Edinburgh Crowland Management. Both initial locations offered their own local opportunities and challenges but were both deemed inconclusive due to multiple factors such as height, budget, marine, infrastructure constraints, as well as the worldwide pandemic; however, Xcassia was contacted early in 2021 by the AICL group after receiving positive social media response and gaining good exposure.
Destined to become a tourist destination, construction will take place on a 20-hectare,4km-long site to include leisure, 5 and 6-star hotels, retail, 560 residential units; even a golf course and a wedding chapel. Last but not least, this skyscraper is more than just a touristic site. Youssef S. Amour, the executive chairman of AICL group, sees that it offers individuals and businesses unique experiences in addition to professional paths and investment opportunities.
- date publishedSeptember 27, 2021
- categoryArchitecture
- original sourceDesignboom↗