Xcassia unveils plans for the “Zanzibar Domino,” a spiral skyscraper on an artificial island off the western coast of the Zanzibar archipelago, Tanzania. The massive mixed-use complex (over 370.000 square metres) will become the second tallest building (and largest hotel) in Africa.
A domino that runs towards the sky of Zanzibar
The Zanzibar Domino design takes inspiration from the shape of stacked dominoes and is made up of 360 “tiles” that rise up to an observation platform above. “We first sketched it in Paris in 2009 after my father, my two sons and I played dominoes,” says the founder and design director of Xcassia, Jean Paul Cassia.
I have dreamed of realizing this project for over a decade, with its innate mathematical order and geometries found in nature, its pure lines and proportions that evoke growth, progress and freedom. He has all it takes to remain in the memory. all that was missing was the visionary investor and the right place to make it happen. Now there is: it's Zanzibar.
Jean Paul Cassia, X Cassia
An emblematic tourist destination
This Domino tower was initially planned for locations in Vietnam and Saudi Arabia. Stunning opportunities, each with its own character and localized challenges. both sites however proved inconclusive due to height, budget, maritime and infrastructure constraints. Finally, the final landing in Zanzibar, where it will constitute a legendary tourist destination.
The development will be built on a 20 hectare site, 4 km long. The extensive master plan includes leisure, entertainment, retail and residential programs with noteworthy features. These include an island resort complete with a golf course and a wedding chapel on a private island. The Zanzibar Domino tower itself will house 560 residential units as well as a 5 and 6 star hotel and spa facilities.
“Once finished, Zanzibar Domino will offer visitors, residents and businesses a multi-faceted program designed to create distinctive experiences, career paths and investment opportunities throughout the year,” he says Youssef s. Love, executive chairman of the AICL group that commissioned the project.
