The Tanzanian island of Zanzibar is set to host a 70-storey spiral-shaped building that will be the tallest in Africa after Egypt’s Iconic Tower. Designed by the award-winning from New York & Dubai-based design structure agency xCassia, Tanzanian AICL group and edinburgh crowland management have signed a project deal for xcassia to develop the concept for the zanzibar site, which was initially in development for locations in vietnam and saudi arabia.
Plans to translate it into reality have been made twice in the past decade but were dropped due to multiple factors. The third time might be the charm and the idea may find its permanent home on the soon-to-be-developed 20-hectare site, just nine miles (15 km) away from Stone Town.
The 70-story spiraling tower intended to help draw tourists back to the area after COVID decimated the local economy.
The project consists of three main sites, the Arrivals Plaza, the Zanzibar Domino, and the Island Resort. The main entrance will be at the Arrivals Plaza that will also offer shopping areas and office spaces.
The central attraction, the Zanzibar Domino is set just a mile out (1.5 km) on a human-made island and spreads out over a radius of 273 yards (250m). Hosting an aquarium, exhibition center, cultural pavilion, and a convention hall, the island also has a marina to receive yachts and offers more shopping and dining areas as the domino spirals outwards. Apart from a cinema, yacht club, VIP Helipad, and a pool, the spiral will also be home to an Eletrodom, an entertainment portal with giant media screens.
Rising towards the sky in the center of the spiral will be the Domino Tower that will offer 560 units of high-rise residences and a hotel with 360 rooms with a view of the Stone Town and the Zanzibar coastline. Perched on top of the tower will be an observation platform that can be accessed through lifts that will offer panoramic views to the visitors. The materials and color palettes along with horticultural walls and water features that will be used for construction will help the structure blend into its habitat.
The Island resort will house 104 over-water villas linked to a lighthouse that will serve as a transport junction and also offer amenities to the residents. A three-section golf course, four helipads, a clubhouse, and a wedding chapel will occupy the rest of the space on the islands.
“Positioned as one of Africa’s first truly iconic global destinations for tourism, entertainment, culture and conferencing, the Zanzibar Domino will offer visitors, residents and businesses a multi-faceted program designed to create year-round distinctive experiences, professional pathways and investment opportunities,” said Youssef S. Amour, Executive Chairman of AICL Group, one of the developers of the project.
