General Lyautey's nouvelle Casablanca brought about an architectural style known as Mauresque, which blended traditional Moroccan designs with the more liberal influences of early-20th-century Europe. By the 1930s, Mauresque architecture began to reflect the Parisian Art Deco style, characterized by ornate wrought-iron balconies, staircases, and windows; carved facades and friezes; and rounded, rather than straight, exterior corners. Some of these buildings have been restored or kept in good condition, and are a visual reminder of Casa's early protectorate history. Many of the city's best examples are in an area roughly bordered by boulevard Mohammed V to the north, avenue Lalla Yacout to the south, rue du Prince Moulay Abdellah to the west, and rue Ibn Batouta to the east. Buildings to look out for include Cinema Rialto, on the corner of rue Mohammed el Qorri and rue Salah ben Bouchaib; Hotel Guynemer, 2 rue Brahim Belloul (formerly rue Pegoud); the crumbling Hotel Lincoln, opposite the Marché Central, on the corner of boulevard Mohammed V and rue Ibn Batouta; Hotel Transatlantique, 79 rue Chaouia (aka rue Colbert); and Hotel Volubilis, 20-22 rue Abdelkrim Diouri, where you should ask the staff to point out the World War II bullet holes on the front facade.

Walking along boulevard Mohammed V, the pedestrian-only section of rue du Prince Moulay Abdellah, and around place du 16 Novembre will afford more fine examples. Over on place Mohammed V are a cluster of classic Mauresque public buildings, including the 1930 former Préfécture, or police headquarters, the 1925 Palais de Justice, and the 1918 General Post Office. Tip: Make sure to look up while you're wandering around. Most of the city's Mauresque and Art Deco buildings now house shops or offices on their ground floors, which have long since been modified.