Tanzania has announced its ambitious plan to construct the Zanzibar Domino Tower, which is set to become Africa’s second-tallest building and the largest hotel in East and Central Africa, following Egypt’s Iconic Tower. The tower, consisting of 70 floors, is a collaborative effort between New York City and Dubai-based firm xCassia, Tanzania’s AICL Group, and Edinburgh Crowland Management Ltd. The contract for the project was signed on August 24, 2021, according to The Citizen newspaper.
Designed by xCassia, the Zanzibar Domino Tower will feature 60 apartments at its base, a golf course, a wedding chapel, and a marina catering to yachts and cruise ships. A rendering released by xCassia showcases a distinctive curved structure at the tower’s base, creating a sheltered cove in the Indian Ocean. The cove will be lined with docks, leading boats toward a central plaza and various amenities.
Jean-Paul Cassia, the project architect, emphasised the tower’s concept of a ‘live-work-play-celebrate’ approach. ‘Any project that is made to attract tourism needs to capture the hearts and imagination of people,’ Cassia stated. He added, ‘Culture, art, and music play key roles in driving footfall to this incredible destination.’ Olivier Lapidus, xCassia’s Partner and Interior Design Creative Director, as well as the former Artistic Director of fashion labels TED LAPIDUS and LANVIN, echoed the sentiment, stressing the importance of cultural elements in tourism.
Emmanuel Umoh, CEO of Crowland Management Ltd, highlighted the tower’s significance for tourism, culture, and business opportunities. ‘The tower is expected to be an iconic feature that will facilitate tourism and culture and offer business opportunities,’ Umoh said. He further expressed the unique nature of the project, aligning with their investment philosophy of providing exceptional returns through strategic socio-economic projects.
Jean-Paul Cassia revealed the tower’s origins, stating, ‘First sketched in Paris in 2009 after my late father, two sons, and I played a round of dominos; I dreamed of building this project for over a decade.’ He continued, ‘Between its innate mathematical order and geometries found in nature, its pure lines and proportions that evoke growth, progress, and freedom, it had all the bearings of an icon anyone could remember and draw on a paper napkin.’
The Zanzibar Domino Tower will be situated on three distinct sites: Arrivals Plaza, Zanzibar Domino, and Island Resort. Each site will possess its own unique character, allowing guests to seamlessly navigate through a pathway connecting arrival to destination, providing a holistic experience.
The construction of the Zanzibar Domino Tower represents Tanzania’s ambitious venture into architectural excellence, aiming to attract tourists and create significant socio-economic opportunities for the region.
