Designed by Italian architect Aldo Manassi in 1927, the Cinéma Empire stands out as a symbol of the cinema-building, integrating both residential and leisure functions. Located in the urban fabric of Casablanca, this cinema was initially designed on the ground floor before being raised by three floors to become a bourgeois residential building. In 1949, the Cinéma Empire underwent a major transformation to rejuvenate its premises. Initially intended for cinema, it was equipped with backstage areas to host live shows, thus offering a diversity of entertainment. Commissioned by owner Banon, the building's design was entrusted to Aldo Manassi and its construction to the Liscia brothers. In 1928, Banon sold the Cinéma Empire to Joseph Séiberras, a renowned investor in Algeria and Morocco. Under Séiberras's direction, the theater was reconfigured, establishing the Empire as a key cultural venue. The Empire remains a testament to Manassi's expertise, as he also designed three apartment buildings on Boulevard de la Gare in 1927, illustrating his architectural know-how and mastery of urban construction.
