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Zaha Hadid Architects renovates Le Schuylkill Tower in Monaco
Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) has just begun renovations of Monaco’s iconic Schuylkill Tower. The tower was built in 1963 and is currently the first high-rise building in Monaco. ZHA conducted a feasibility study to assess its development prospects and the scope of necessary modifications. ZHA has partnered with local firm Square Architecte to revitalize and expand the iconic building, with completion expected in May 2027.
The existing tower sits on a steep site with a 22-meter slope between its northern and southern boundaries. Its foundations blend seamlessly into the rock face, with seven lower floors and seventeen upper floors divided into three blocks, each with a vertical circulation core along the north facade. ZHA’s renovation proposal was to preserve the architectural heritage of the original building while upgrading its facilities to meet contemporary standards.
The renovation replaced the tower’s top two floors with three new floors supported by the building’s existing structure, retaining the integrity of the original design. The new floor will feature six penthouses overlooking Monte Carlo harbour. The project expanded the tower’s floor area from 32,000 square meters to 41,000 square meters, while retaining the original footprint.
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The penthouse’s new upper floor is made from lightweight mild steel (XCarb) and features cantilevered terraces, an open floor plan and large glass walls. A modern ceramic rainscreen facade with better thermal insulation properties gives the tower a new look and strengthens its relationship with the Coast Boulevard. In addition, new terraces and balconies are clad with aluminum panels, and the main lobby is decorated with a stainless steel canopy.
The new Le Schuylkill Tower is transforming into a decarbonized structure, utilizing renewable energy and environmentally friendly materials to minimize its environmental footprint. The tower’s full life cycle carbon assessment was recognized in various categories of the BD2M Environmental Certification Scheme, exceeding the 2030 RIBA Climate Challenge standards. In addition, various design integrations, including rainwater and greywater recycling, improved thermal performance and connections to the area’s seawater cooling grid, significantly reduce water and energy use.
With growing awareness of the ecological consequences associated with new construction projects, the built environment has begun retrofitting existing structures as a cost-effective and environmentally responsible solution. Recently, MVRDV released a new design study exploring how co-living can help shape the future of housing. The research required various solutions to adaptively reuse existing structures. In addition, Google’s new headquarters in New York was built on an original railroad terminal from the 1930s and transformed into a hub for more than 14,000 employees. Finally, SOM recently completed the restoration of the Lever House, one of New York’s modernist landmarks.
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