Zanzibar to Host the World’s Tallest Timber Apartment

Zanzibar, an island in the Indian Ocean, is set to host the tallest timber building in the world: Burj Zanzibar, which is scheduled for construction in Fumba Town.

The proposed ‘vertical green village’ that is designed to reach 96 metres in height is the brainchild of Dutch-born architect Leander Moons, who believes the structure will be an iconic landmark for the African continent.

“Burj Zanzibar is not just an outstanding building but a new ecosystem for the future of living,” Moons said while unveiling the designs in Muscat, Oman.

Hybrid timber technology

The 28-storey apartment tower is designed in hybrid timber technology and will be the tallest timber frame building tower in the world.

Located in Fumba Town, East Africa’s pioneering eco-town developed by German-led engineering firm CPS, Burj Zanzibar will host 266 apartments comprising a mix of studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments, and deluxe penthouses.

“Burj Zanzibar will be the highlight and natural continuation of our efforts to provide sustainable housing in Africa, thereby empowering local employment and businesses”, CPS chief executive Sebastian Dietzold said.

Elegant architectural style

Burj Zanzibar’s playful architectural style – suggestive of a beehive with honeycombs – combines modern urban trends with the local culture.

“Panorama windows, closed-in green loggias, and a modular layout will enhance the green nature of the tower and allow for flexible apartment floor plans, tailor-made for any cultural preferences”, Moons explained.

Green roof gardens and balconies will help cut the carbon footprint of the building.

According to the developers, Burj Zanzibar will be a continental landmark standing on a terraced podium with shared and private gardens, shops, and a common pool.

RELATED: Sh23bn Palm Exotjca Project Fails to Win Nema Approval

The sizes of the residential units range from studios starting at $79,900 to a massive penthouse with a private pool on the 26th floor going for $950,880.

“As a global architectural highlight, the Burj Zanzibar will be setting a new benchmark of building in the 21st century”, Dietzold said.

The project will be executed by a consortium of leading specialists from Switzerland, Austria, Germany, South Africa, Tanzania, and the US.

The construction budget is yet to be disclosed.

Tallest timber building

Burj Zanzibar will upon completion become the tallest timber building in the world – overtaking the 86.6-metre Ascent Tower in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, which was recently certified as the world’s tallest timber hybrid building by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH). 

At 96 metres, the tower will be dwarfed by Africa’s highest conventional building “Iconic Tower” – a 385-metre office tower under construction in Egypt.

It will also be shorter than Tanzania’s tallest building “Ports Authority Building” – a 157-metre skyscraper in Dar es Salaam.

The skyscraper’s namesake “Burj Khalifa” in Dubai is 828 metres tall – which makes it the tallest building in the world.

Join 15,000+ pros getting our weekly digest of news and insights.