Where To Go in Marrakech

Guéliz, or the “New Town,” is living up to its moniker as the neighborhood known for meshing the ancient with the new.

By Sara Lieberman

While most visitors to Marrakesh head straight for the medina and its souks, Guéliz, or the “New Town,” is living up to its moniker as the neighborhood known for meshing the ancient with the new. “It’s really a crossroads of modern and traditional Morocco,” said Arnaud Foltran, an owner of Kechmara restaurant. The fall 2017 opening of an Yves Saint Laurent museum — designed by the Paris-based architecture firm Studio KO — will further cement the district’s reputation for desert wares gone chic and couscous gone artisanal

Lalla:  At this trendy store that opened last spring, accessory lovers will find well-made beaded key chains, leather bucket bags in bright colors and pouches with tassels designed by Laetitia Trouillet, who, though born in Bordeaux, has made Marrakesh her home for over a decade.  35, boulevard El Mansour Eddahbi; 212-5-24-44-72-33; 

Kechmara:  The rooftop restaurant and bar feature an ever-changing display of art like 3-D decorative signs from the likes of the Saatchi sculptor and photographer Simon Saliot that encourage one to “Enjoy the Sun.” Dishes such as locally made burrata and octopus salad appear on the seasonal menu.  3, rue de la Liberté; 212-5-24-42-25-32; kechmara.com

Maison LAB:  With a wall featuring a geometric mural of the Berber alphabet, the new furniture and décor store of the New York interior designer Martin Raffone is the epitome of Moroccan modernism. Most of the boutique, which opened in February, offers his own brand of contemporary adaptations of items made in Morocco, such as a raw walnut version of Gerrit Thomas Rietveld’s famous zig zag chair.  44, rue Tarik Bnou Ziad No.­1; 212-5-24-43-39-36; maisonlab.com

David Bloch Gallery:  After working in fashion for several years, Parisian-born David Bloch opened this contemporary exhibition space in 2010 to display collections from 20 international artists, such as the street muralist SupaKitch and the geometric futurist Augustine Kofie. “Most of the art is abstract, optical and graphic,” Mr. Bloch said. “It bridges the gap between street and modern art.”  8 bis, rue des Vieux Marrakchis; 212-5-24-45-75-95; davidblochgallery.com

Marrakshi LIFE Atelier:  This atelier and shop sells the fashion photographer Randall Bachner’s men’s wear line, Marrakshi LIFE, featuring handwoven textiles with a Venice Beach hipster vibe. “Here you can see the artisans work the hand looms, the tailors crafting the final pieces and then have something to buy,” Mr. Bachner said of the space, which opened in January.  111, rue Yougoslavie, ground floor; 212-5-24-38-98-76; facebook.com­/MarrakshiLIFEfacebook.com­/MarrakshiLIFE