Pioneering designs in the heart of Za’abeel

One Za’abeel is a flagship, mixed-used development by Ithra Dubai. A symbol of ambition, innovation and the pioneering spirit of Dubai, it will stand proudly in the Za’abeel district at the heart of the city, strategically positioned between the old and new business districts.

The scale of the development is enormous and complex. With two towers standing at 304m and 241m, the development has the added complication of straddling a live six lane carriageway. It’s the sort of challenge Mace relishes.

The development boasts seven basements 28m below ground level. From using 3D plexis modelling for excavating under the live highway, to coordinating load cell monitoring and bridge jacking, to negotiating with local authorities for approvals and road closures, the project team has made use of local knowledge, innovative solutions and meticulous planning to safely deliver the excavation moving the project forward into the main works phase.

Above ground the two towers will be linked 125m in the air by the ‘Link’ – a 225m long structure of steel and glass with the world’s longest cantilever. The team will push engineering limits by building the structure on a temporary site-based platform in seven sections that will be welded together before being secured to the towers.