• Weighing over 8,000 tonnes, the cantilever will set new global standards in structural ingenuity

Dubai: Leading Japanese architectural, engineering, and urban design firm Nikken Sekkei, has confirmed that the world’s longest cantilevered building, The Link, which connects the towers of the iconic One Za’abeel mixed-use development in Dubai, UAE, has been lifted into place.

The company, who began work on the project in 2014 as lead consultancy, was responsible for the concept and design of the two-tower structure and the unique cantilever design that connects both towers.

Dr. Fadi Jabri, Nikken's Executive Officer, Principal responsible for MENA, CIS, India, Australia, and Europe regions, said: “Designing the world's longest-occupied cantilevered building was an ambitious challenge in itself. However, designing an offset cantilever between two towers, 100 metres above a busy highway, was a challenge of ingenuity and imagination none of us had ever faced before."

"The lifting process was incredible. The initial lift on the 18th August was a mere ten centimetres to check for cable stretching and the building's reaction to the strain – all works will be halted so we could listen to how the building would react. A further one metre lift took place a week later, followed by the main event, three days later – the final 100 metre lift into place,” added Dr. Jabri.

The skyscraper building is a mixed-use two-tower project overlooking a total built-up area of over 470,000 square metres. Located at the heart of the city and at the gate of the Dubai Financial Center, the development incorporates luxury residences, a One & Only ultra-luxury hotel and serviced apartments, and premium, Grade A office spaces, a retail podium, and a panoramic sky concourse.

The Link, which will float an awe-inspiring 100 metres above the ground, is a panoramic sky concourse that connects the two towers of One Za'abeel. The timeless structure will house a choice of attractions, including Michelin starred restaurants, observation decks, and an infinity pool.

A team of architects and engineers from Nikken formed the core team for all design features, which subsequently grew to a multinational team of more than 1,200 experts from a variety of disciplines, focused on designing a truly unique development.

“The concept for the design was to express Dubai's pioneering spirit and its warm welcome based on family values in the form of two graceful 'father & son' towers with a 'strong bond' the Link 100 metres above a major highway forming the gateway. A gently sloping podium represents a welcoming gesture, and the bold expression of the Link represents the pioneering spirit of Dubai,” said Dr. Jabri.

With a 30-year pedigree in the Middle East, Nikken Sekkei has designed and collaborated on more than 65 projects across the region's cultural, commercial, and hospitality sectors. Iconic buildings include the Islamic Development Bank HQ in Jeddah, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry building on Dubai Creek, and the Tadawul HQ building in Riyadh.

Nikken has managed over 25,000 projects in 250 cities in 50 countries and has one of the largest portfolios of work of any architecture firm in the world.

To view a time-lapse video of the lift, please click here.

-Ends-

About Nikken Sekkei

One of the world’s largest architectural and engineering design firms, Nikken Sekkei employs over 2,770 professional staff in six group companies offering comprehensive design, engineering, management, consulting and R&D services. The company's portfolio consists of over 25,000 projects in 250 cities, in 50 countries. These projects cover a broad range of services including master plans and mixed-use developments, transportation (airports and railway stations), offices, R&D, education and culture, production and logistics, healthcare and welfare, commerce, hotels, and residential complexes.

For more information, please log on to www.nikken.jp 

Media contact:
STEVEN JONES
Managing Director
Tel: +971 4 365 2711
E-mail: steven.jones@shamalcomms.com
Office 106, Arjaan Office Tower, Dubai Media City
PO Box 502701 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Website: www.shamalcomms.com 

Send us your press releases to pressrelease.zawya@refinitiv.com

© Press Release 2020

Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.

The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.