SALÉ — A $700 million, 55-story skyscraper named the Mohammed VI Tower opened in Salé, Morocco, the twin city of Rabat. The 820-foot building, named for King Mohammed VI, houses a Waldorf Astoria hotel, offices, shops, restaurants and upscale apartments.

The tower was built over eight years with the involvement of more than 2,500 workers from over a dozen countries. It spans more than 102,800 square meters, or about 1.1 million square feet, and offers views of the Atlantic Ocean and the twin cities. Its design is inspired by a rocket on its launchpad, and the structure has appeared on Morocco's 200-dirham banknote. The tower stands near the Grand Theatre of Rabat, which was designed by architect Zaha Hadid.

The project was conceived by Othmane Benjelloun, a 93-year-old billionaire who owns Bank of Africa, a Moroccan bank that was once state-owned. According to tower management, the idea for the skyscraper was born from Benjelloun's 1969 visit to a NASA spaceflight simulation, to which he was invited ahead of the Apollo 12 mission.

The tower is expected to generate 450 direct jobs and 3,500 indirect jobs, O Tower development company director Leila Haddaoui told reporters. She added that Morocco is positioning Rabat and Salé on the international stage as part of a broader tourism push.

Morocco is Africa's most visited country and relies economically on tourism. The country is seeking to attract more visitors as regional conflicts steer travelers toward perceived safer destinations, and it is preparing to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Gen Z-led protests in Morocco last year drew attention to grievances over high unemployment and public services.