Construction in Marrakech — Architects, Craftsmen and Materials

Marrakech offers a unique construction market where tradition and modernity coexist. Gueliz, the new town, hosts modern buildings and luxury retail. Hivernage, the hotel district, drives constant demand for hospitality construction. The Palmeraie, a protected 13,000-hectare zone, is home to luxury villas and resorts with strict landscaping constraints (no palm cutting, height limited to G+1). Tamansourt offers affordable land for social and mid-range housing. The Route de l'Ourika has become the premium development axis with villa and eco-lodge projects in the mountains.

The Marrakech Urban Agency enforces specific rules tied to the city's touristic and heritage character. In the médina, all construction must respect traditional architecture: pisé or ochre-pink plastered brick walls, flat rooftops, interior courtyards. Zellige, tadelakt (smooth lime plaster), and bejmat (terracotta tiles) are required in riad renovations. Heights are limited to G+1 in the médina and G+3 to G+4 in the new town. Building permits in the médina also require approval from the Historical Monuments Inspection.