TUNIS: Tunisia’s iconic brutalist landmark, the Hotel du Lac a 1970s architectural marvel often compared to a “Star Wars” desert vehicle is being demolished, sparking widespread calls for its preservation.
Designed by Italian architect Raffaele Contigiani, the striking inverted-pyramid structure opened in 1973 as part of Tunisia’s efforts to expand tourism after independence. For decades, its bold, concrete-and-steel design has captivated enthusiasts of brutalist and modernist architecture worldwide.
The 10-story, 416-room hotel closed in 2000, following years of mismanagement and inheritance disputes, and subsequently fell into disrepair. Despite its decline, Tunisian historian Adnen El Ghali has described it as one of the world’s “top 10 brutalism jewels,” warning that its demolition would be “a great loss for world heritage.”
Since 2010, the hotel has been owned by LAFICO, a Libyan state investment fund. Its head, Hadi Alfitory, confirmed that all demolition permits had been secured, citing expert reports declaring the building structurally unsalvageable. Plans for a $150 million redevelopment include a 20-story luxury hotel and shopping complex, which Alfitory said will maintain the original “concept and shape” while creating 3,000 jobs.
The decision has drawn backlash, with over 6,000 people signing a petition to preserve the landmark. Protests are planned in Tunis, as critics argue the project dismisses the building’s cultural and architectural significance.
