Since the construction of the Dubai World Trade Centre in 1979, Dubai has become the most innovative city to showcase modern architectural marvels in the world. Scheduled to open in December 2023, Dubai is set to open another record-breaking Middle East icon, One Za’abeel which will become the world’s longest occupied cantilevered building, and the newest addition to Dubai’s breathtaking skyline.

One Za’abeel is a symbol of ambition, innovation, and the pioneering spirit of Dubai. Consisting of two towers standing at 304 m and 241 m in height, the buildings straddle a six-lane bridge and are ‘linked’ by an impressive 225 m long cantilevered building near the top to achieve Guiness Book of World Record accolades. Trenchless technology is not commonly associated as a key attribute in the construction of such iconic structures, however the developer, Ithra Dubai, required the finesse of multiple Akkerman Guided Boring Machines to assist construction of this world record breaking structure.

Enabling construction to grow up

As with most underground construction, notoriety is often lost without visibility. One Za’abeel is just as impressive below ground as the visible architecture above. Designed to a depth of 38.5 m below ground, the basements for each of the towers include 7 individual floors with space for over 2,500 parking spaces, storage units, and maintenance rooms requiring engineering firsts in foundation construction. The two towers and associated basements are connected by two underground tunnels which further complicated foundation construction due to the proximity of the existing highway bridge piers and its foundation.