Stretching over 190,000 square meters along the Atlantic shoreline, Morocco Mall is Africa’s largest shopping destination and a striking emblem of Morocco’s retail transformation. It merges commerce, culture, and lifestyle into a single, landmark development on Casablanca’s oceanfront.
Morocco Mall in Casablanca (image from Wikimedia Commons)
Morocco Mall (Arabic: مول المغرب) is the largest shopping mall in Africa with 590000m² of floor space in Casablanca, Morocco. With over 350 stores, a world-class IMAX cinema, and the spectacular AquaDream aquarium rising through its central dome, the mall fuses cutting-edge architectural expression with experiential retail.
Opened in late 2011 after approximately four years of planning and construction, the megamall anchors Casablanca’s position as a modern commercial capital, offering an expansive mix of luxury boutiques, international high street brands, family entertainment, and cultural attractions under one vast, glass-covered atrium.
Small Tour of Morocco Mall 🛍️ | Casablanca’s Biggest Shopping Center
Architectural Innovation and Retail Ambition
Developed by Aksal Group-founded by Moroccan business leader Salwa Idrissi Akhannouch-Morocco Mall was designed by Design International and Davide Padoa to create an immersive shopping and leisure environment unprecedented on the continent.
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Morocco Mall, which opened on December 1, 2011, was designed by architect Davide Padoa of Design International, a global architecture boutique with its headquarters in London. Kuncara Wicaksana under the principal of Davide Padoa developed the Architectural Concept until the Design Development stage.
Its iconic “Luxury Boulevard,” hosting brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Dior, introduced North Africa’s first dedicated luxury shopping district, setting new standards in design and consumer expectations. Beyond retail, Morocco Mall integrates landscaped promenades, oceanfront terraces, and public plazas, blending urban vibrancy with coastal serenity.
Aquadream Aquarium (image from icm-corp.com)
Aquadream Aquarium
One of the standout attractions of Morocco Mall is the "Aquadream" aquarium, a 1,000,000-liter facility that houses over 40 different species of fish. The aquarium is called "Aquadream" and was designed and built by International Concept Management (ICM). Visitors have the opportunity to take a ride through the centre of the cylinder shaped aquarium with a 360-degree view of the sea life.
The mall also boasts a large aquarium visible from the center without requiring entry fees, as well as Adventureland, an underground theme park with various rides and an ice rink.
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Economic Catalyst and Tourism Magnet
Since its inauguration, Morocco Mall has become a powerful driver of economic activity and urban development in Casablanca. The complex generates thousands of direct and indirect jobs, stimulates investment in surrounding infrastructure, and contributes significantly to Morocco’s positioning as a destination for international brands and visitors.
The mall attracts more than 15 million shoppers and tourists annually, drawn by its unique blend of commerce and entertainment-from indoor ice skating and live performances to panoramic ocean views and gourmet dining.
Recognized with international awards for retail excellence and design innovation, Morocco Mall has evolved into a showcase of Morocco’s economic aspirations and its embrace of modern consumer culture.
Sustainability and Design
Commissioned by Aksal Group with a vision to match the scale and sophistication of Europe’s and the Gulf’s premier malls, Morocco Mall embodies the country’s strategic ambition to build world-class infrastructure. Its design and engineering incorporate sustainable technologies, including energy-efficient systems, natural lighting strategies, and advanced waste recycling.
The project was situated on an extension of the main Casablanca waterfront promenade and prone to the effects of seawater. Therefore, the designer and the owner needed waterproofing products that would protect the massive concrete slab and the foundation walls from water penetration, as well as from the salt and sulfates in the ground environment. The site’s proximity to the water and the harmful salt and sulfate environment made choosing a waterproofing system for the mall’s basement areas an important design decision. After review of several waterproofing alternatives, PREPRUFE® 300R and BITUTHENE®3000 waterproofing membranes were selected over the originally specified system and proved to be the best choice for the project. Test data on Preprufe vs. PREPRUFE® pre-applied waterproofing system is based on a unique patented technology. Preprufe is not harmed by wet/dry cycling and there’s no risk of swelling during the construction phase.
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Inside, visitors encounter an array of experiences-premium fashion, electronics, local handicrafts, high-end restaurants, and family attractions-all under a unified roof that redefines the Moroccan shopping journey.
Symbol of Casablanca’s Evolution
Strategically situated along Boulevard de l’Océan Atlantique, Morocco Mall reflects Casablanca’s emergence as a cosmopolitan hub where tradition meets innovation. It forms part of a broader movement to revitalize Morocco’s urban centers through landmark projects that integrate commerce, leisure, and cultural heritage.
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