Seemingly defying the laws of gravity, stretched out over the entrance to Dubai is the world’s longest cantilevered structure at One Za’abeel.
One Za’abeel, a mixed-use development of hotels, luxury homes, restaurants, bars and leisure facilities, runs over two plots separated by a four-lane highway and connected 100m above ground by ‘The Link.’ This impressive 230m glass and steel structure extends 67.277m beyond the main tower, making it the world’s longest cantilever.
Japanese architectural consultancy, Nikken Sekkei, designed the scheme for local developer Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD), including the record-breaking cantilevered awe-inspiring structure.
The Link is built with a robust outer tubular structure system, where the main steel members are arranged in a diamond grid pattern to minimize torsion. And, fixing it into place was a feat of engineering in itself.
To lift the 8,500 tonnes of the first phase of the steel structure, a one-of-a-kind cantilever launcher was built onsite. A specially designed gantry system and more than 110 jacks and heavy-duty strand jacks were then used to lift The Link structure 100 meters above ground level in one of the heaviest lifts the region has ever seen. This process was carried out over 12 days.
Phase two of The Link build saw the 900+ tonne cantilevered structure lifted into place over four days. Remarkably, all of this was achieved without disrupting the traffic below.
The Link makes the record books
Celebrating the entry of this new world’s longest cantilever into the Guinness Book of Records, Shaddy Gaad, Senior Marketing Manager at Guinness World Records™, said: “Dubai has transformed into a record-breaking hub and thereby serving as a model in overcoming limitations and achieving the seemingly impossible. The Link at One Za’abeel showcases this relentless determination and innovative vision that defines the Emirate.”
The previous holder of the title of the world’s longest cantilever was the observation deck at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, which extends to 66.5m long.
Topped by the United Arab Emirates’ longest suspended infinity swimming pool and filled with restaurants and bars with 360° unobstructed views of the city, the full fit-out weight of The Link is 23,000 tonnes.
Although only partially completed, the Link at One Za’abeel is set to become one of Dubai’s most iconic landmarks, all thanks to an innovative use of glass and steel and some rather clever architectural engineering.