Grand Theatre of Rabat

The Grand Theatre of Rabat (French: Grand Théâtre de Rabat; Arabic: المسرح الكبير للرباط‎, lit. 'The Great Theatre of Rabat')[1] is a large performing arts center under construction in Rabat, the capital city of Morocco. The building is designed by Zaha Hadid and her architectural firm Zaha Hadid Architects.[2] Planning began for the project in 2010 and construction officially started on October 7, 2014. Completion of the project was scheduled for late 2019.[1][2] The building is among the last projects designed by Zaha Hadid before her passing in 2016.[3]

The theatre under construction in 2019

The construction of the theatre is part of a wider national initiative by King Mohammed VI to promote the arts and cultural development.[2][3] The Grand Theatre is planned to be one of the centerpieces of a new 110-hectare mixed-use district on the shores of the Bou Regreg River, including malls, residential areas, a national archive, a new archaeological museum, and a business district with skyscrapers on the Salé side of the river.[3][4]

The curving design of the structure is inspired by both the nearby river's winding course and by the aesthetics of Arabic calligraphy. Other elements take their cues from Islamic architecture.[3] The building includes a 1800-seat interior theatre and a 7000-seat open-air amphitheatre.[2]