The Mediterranean Tower,

one of Marseille's first skyscrapers

At 96 metres high, the Tour Méditerranée was the tallest building in Marseille when it was built in 1972. Overtaken by the Grand Pavois a few years later, then eclipsed by the skyline being built around the CMA CGM Tower and La Marseillaise, it nevertheless remains one of the most emblematic buildings in the city.

A commercial building in the heart of a residential block

Marseille’s population boomed during the Trente Glorieuses period, and new districts were built to meet the needs of the city’s residents.

Launched in 1962 on land previously occupied by Forges et Chantiers de la Méditerranée, the project involved the construction of 547 homes in buildings of up to 12 storeys. The buildings are built around a large terrace slab, some of which is planted with trees, and open onto the 96-metre office tower to the south. Large underground car parks support the development of the private car. This configuration illustrates an innovative urban planning approachat the time, which aimed to reconcile living and working.

From the outset, Le Méditerranée was conceived as a place to live, with meeting spaces, shops, a crèche and offices. Residents sleep and live here, shop in the on-site stores and work in the offices in the Tour Méditerranée.

This building complex, innovative for its time, led to the creation of Atelier 9. Founded by Guy Daher, André Guien, Georges Lefèvre and Robert Inglésakis, it was one of the first multi-disciplinary architectural practices to emerge in Marseille. Their collaborative approach has had a lasting influence on the city’s urban development.

A historic business centre in Marseille

In the early 1970s, Marseille did not yet have a business district. The construction of the Tour Méditerranée was a response to the needs of companies looking for modern, ostentatious premises to house their employees and develop their tertiary activities.

The Tour Méditerranée was originally occupied by the French insurance group AGF, and was known for a time as the AGF Tower. When this insurer joined the Allianz group, the building was naturally nicknamed the Allianz Tower. It is best known to the people of Marseilles by its original name, the Tour Méditerranée.

Today, it is home to a wide variety of companies, which can find premises and office space of all sizes to set up a subsidiary or their head office. The building’s appeal remains strong thanks to its proximity to the city’s strategic axes and the services offered to the companies located there.

A prime location in the heart of the city

The Tour Méditerranée enjoys a prime location in Marseille’s 6th arrondissement, close to Place Castellane and at the entrance to the 26ᵉ Centenaire park.

The building is not open to visitors, but you can admire its white facade as you stroll around the district. You can also take the opportunity to visit the Parc du 26ᵉ Centenaire, a vast 10.5-hectare public garden laid out on the site of the former Prado station. It is home to some remnants of its railway past, a monumental sculpture called “The Tree of Hope”, themed landscaped areas and playgrounds.

You can also get to the Place Castellane, which has been completely refurbished and is now pedestrianised, in just a few minutes, or take a stroll along the Avenue du Prado. These vibrant neighbourhoods offer a wealth of amenities, with cafés, restaurants, shops and cinemas attracting residents and visitors alike.

Experience Marseille!