General Lyautey’s nouvelle Casablanca brought about an architectural style known as Mauresque, which blended traditional Moroccan designs with the more liberal influences of early-20th-century Europe. By the 1930s, Mauresque architecture began to reflect the Parisian Art Deco style, characterized by ornate wrought-iron balconies, staircases, and windows; carved facades and friezes; and rounded, rather then straight, exterior corners. Some of these buildings have been restored or kept in good condition, and are a visual reminder of Casa’s early protectorate history.
Many of the city’s best examples are in an area roughly bordered by boulevard Mohammed V to the north, avenue Lalla Yacout to the south, rue du Prince Moulay Abdellah to the west, and rue Ibn Batouta to the east. Buildings to look out for include: Cinema Rialto, on the corner of rue Mohammed el Quori and rue Salah ben Bouchaib; Hotel Guynemer, 2 rue Brahim Belloul (formerly rue Pegoud); Hotel Lincoln, opposite the Marché Central, on the corner of boulevard Mohammed V and rue Ibn Batouta; Hotel Transatlantique, 79 rue Chaouia (aka rue Colbert); and Hotel Volubilis, 20-22 rue Abdelkrim Diouri, where you should ask the staff to point out the World War II bullet holes on the front facade.