La Pyramide: A Brutalist Icon of Abidjan

La Pyramide, an architectural landmark in Abidjan's Plateau district, stands as a testament to Brutalist design. Constructed between 1968 and 1973, this high-rise building was conceived by Italian architect Rinaldo Olivieri with the intention of encapsulating the vibrancy of an African marketplace in an urban environment. The building's distinctive truncated pyramid shape, rising over 61 meters with 15 floors, is made of reinforced concrete and aluminum slats. Originally intended to house offices, studios, a restaurant, exhibition space, an auditorium, a nightclub, and a supermarket, La Pyramide never fully achieved its commercial aspirations. Since the 1980s, the building has been largely vacant and has suffered from disrepair due to high maintenance costs, ownership disputes, and safety concerns. Despite its state of abandonment, La Pyramide remains a significant part of Abidjan's architectural heritage and a symbol of the city's modern aspirations following its independence. Efforts have been made to restore La Pyramide and repurpose it as a multifunctional cultural space, aiming to preserve its unique architecture and find a viable economic function. Today, La Pyramide's bold form and Brutalist aesthetic continue to stand in contrast to its surroundings, making it a captivating, though non-visitable, landmark in the heart of Abidjan.