Designed by Japanese firm Nikken Sekkei, and developed by Ithra Dubai, the latest addition to Dubai’s skyline is a mixed-use two towers project with a horizontal connection housing one of the world’s largest cantilevers. Currently, under construction, One Za’abeel Tower is scheduled for completion by 2021.
Located at a crossroads between the old and new city, the project is in close proximity to Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai International Airport, and the gold souk of Deira, the older part of the emirate. One Za’abeel Tower comprises twin skyscrapers, rising over a total built-up area of 470,700m². While the 300m tall Tower A will host offices and the world’s first vertical resort, Tower B, comparatively shorter at 235m will be home to residential units.
The approximately USD1billion development will include 37,000m² of office space, 263 residential units, 12,000m² of retail space, 497 hotel rooms and 77 high-speed lifts. The project also incorporates three floors of high-end retail and leisure podium, and a horizontal structure, the Link, “suspended perpendicularly to both towers at a height of around 100 meters above ground”.
The Link will house a number of restaurants and bars, an observation deck, gym, spa, pool, banquet hall, and a rooftop terrace. Weighing at 9,000 tonnes when lifted and 13,000 tonnes when completed, the project hosts one of the world’s largest cantilevers.
One Za’abeel Tower, currently at 35% completion, is aiming for a Gold LEED certification. Sustainable features such as the use of “water-to-water heat pumps for centralised domestic hot water systems, [and] treated sewage effluent water for irrigation” have been put in place. The energy-efficient design also focuses on façade systems and incorporates “the latest smart technologies to provide automation and energy optimisation of office electrical, lighting, air conditioning, and ventilation systems”.
