A groundbreaking 99-meter (325-foot) skyscraper named M99 is rising along the Quais d'Arenc waterfront in Marseille, France, promising to become one of the most iconic additions to the Mediterranean city's evolving skyline. Designed by renowned architect Jean-Baptiste Pietri, this ambitious mixed-use tower will combine luxury residential units, a four-star hotel, and panoramic living spaces that celebrate the region's distinctive golden light and coastal lifestyle.
The tower's striking design embodies what Pietri calls a "contemporary Mediterranean identity," featuring a facade composed of 45% glass across 30 floors with flowing white, rounded lines. The building's exterior showcases light limestone concrete punctuated by expansive terraces and continuous balconies designed to capture and play with the golden light characteristic of southern France. According to Pietri, M99 maintains a distinctive silhouette through its composition of three superimposed vessels reaching toward the sky, separated by two wasp-waist constrictions that give the structure its singular appearance.
The tower will house a comprehensive mix of amenities, including an eight-story DoubleTree by Hilton four-star hotel, 102 high-end residential units, a 96-unit affordable student residence, and a restaurant on the 22nd floor featuring a 2,150-square-foot terrace offering panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea and Marseille cityscape. This hybrid approach is specifically designed to revitalize the neighborhood and attract both residents and visitors to the area. The development also includes a garden featuring mature trees, creating green space within the urban environment.
The residential component spans 17 floors and offers 102 living units ranging from compact 320-square-foot apartments to expansive residences exceeding 2,150 square feet. These luxury accommodations are priced between 267,000 and 2.77 million euros, with 35 units already sold to buyers. According to developer Constructa, approximately 80% of the residential units will feature sea views thanks to the tower's predominantly glass facade design.
Environmental sustainability stands at the core of the project's design philosophy. The tower will be constructed using low-carbon concrete and connected to the Thassalia marine geothermal network, reducing its carbon footprint by an impressive 70%. The building will feature a green roof and utilize locally-sourced materials in short supply chains, making M99 both an architectural icon and a commitment to sustainable development practices.
M99 represents the final chapter in the ambitious Euroméditerranée urban development project that has dramatically transformed the Arenc district over two decades. Following the completion of Zaha Hadid's CMA-CGM Tower in 2009, Jean Nouvel's La Marseillaise in 2018, and other landmark buildings like La Porte Bleue and Le Balthazar, this new tower will complete an architectural sequence that has fundamentally redefined the neighborhood's character and skyline.
The project is scheduled for completion and delivery in the first quarter of 2028, marking the culmination of twenty years of urban metamorphosis while establishing itself as a true jewel in Marseille's architectural crown. This development continues Marseille's evolution as a modern Mediterranean metropolis while honoring its traditional coastal character and commitment to innovative, sustainable urban design.
