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Two
months ago another part fell !
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The
crown jewel of Casablanca's art deco district is the
Arabesque Art Deco Hotel Lincoln. Situated across Boulevard
Mohammed V - Casablanca's Fifth Avenue - from the Central
Market, its majestic façade is a throwback to the City's
cosmopolitan past. OSS headquarters were located at
the Lincoln during WWII. In 2000 it was used in the
filming of "Spy Games." Intrigued? Ready to reserve
a room or throw a party? Sorry to say that this beautiful
landmark has been boarded up for years and the overnight
guests are squatters. In "Spy Games" Casablanca played
burned up Beirut, and the Hotel Lincoln fit the part
well. The owner of the land has been trying for over
a decade to tear down the hotel to build a retail complex.
Architectural activists, city authorities and the Ministry
of Culture have prevented the destruction of the façade,
and the site was named a National Historic Landmark
which ensured that the landowner could not tear down
the building. The landowner allowed squatters to occupy
the hotel in hopes that the infrastructure would not
hold up to their occupation and the building might disintegrate
naturally. Fourteen years ago one part of the façade
collapsed. Two months ago another part fell, killing
one of the squatters and wounding several others. Over
the years there have been numerous fires and accidents.
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Local
authorities have been searching for ways to trade property
with the owner to permit the façade to be preserved
and developed either into a hotel, cultural center or
museum. The latest episode forced the closure of one
lane of Mohammed V and prompted city and national officials
to commission urgent studies to determine the building's
future. At this writing we hear that the owner has finally
agreed to cooperate in a future investment that would
retain the façade. The participation of his designated
architect is a condition. This would not preclude a
foreign investor, with an architect experienced in restoration
- particularly in restoring old structures into hotels
- from managing the project. In Morocco all developments
must have a local architect involved who signs the plans
and interfaces with the local authorities. We want to
use our website to generate ideas on the redevelopment
and restoration of the Hotel Lincoln. The studies are
looking at the feasibility of restoration vs. demolition
and rebuilding according to the original plans. If you
have ideas, let us hear from you via our "Letters
of Transit". And circulate this article to others
who might be in a position to help. Hopefully there
will be the day when "room service" at the Hotel Lincoln
will be provided by hotel staff and not the fire department
or police…
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