One Za'abeel

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

See how Otis delivered a unique balance of innovation, style and expertise to support elevated lifestyles in an elegant, new addition to the Dubai skyline.

In a horizon filled with iconic skyscrapers, One Za’abeel stands out with a cantilevered design that captures the city’s pioneering spirit. Otis helped bring the visionary project to life with advanced high-rise elevator solutions that reflect the location’s elegance and enable luxury experiences that are truly one-of-a-kind.

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Project facts

Completed: Early 2023
Height: Tower A (One Za'abeel Tower): +300 Meters (~984 feet)
Tower B (One Za'abeel The Residences): 235 Meters (~771 feet)
Floors: Tower A (One Za'abeel Tower): 67
Tower B (One Za'abeel The Residences): 58
Use: Mixed use (apartments, offices, luxury hotel)
Architect: Nikken Sekkei
Developer: Ithra Dubai

Unique requirements

Otis provided solutions to move passengers safely and efficiently throughout the complex while ensuring the highest standards for quality and precision. Sustainability and security were paramount, with the building seeking LEED^® Gold designation and expected to host a number of high-profile guests. The project also required a specialized installation approach to account for the massive cantilever that would run between the two structures.

Otis innovation

To meet the needs of the One Za’abeel project, Otis specified and installed 82 elevators and escalators, including single- and double-deck versions of our energy-efficient SkyRise^® elevators. We also installed the Otis Compass^® 360 destination management system and the EMS 2 Elevator Monitoring and Management system to enhance passenger experiences and to help streamline operations throughout the building.

27 SkyRise^® single-deck elevators
5 SkyRise^® double-deck elevators
38 40 Gen2^® Elevators
6 escalators
4 dumwaiters
2 platform lifts
Otis Compass^® 360 destination management system
EMS 2 -Elevator Monitoring and Management system

Woman walking to an elevator in One Za'abeel

Making every journey a luxury experience within a marvel of modern engineering

One Za’abeel: Elevated living, working and leisure in the heart of Dubai

Building on Dubai’s growing reputation for landmark destinations and iconic, skyline-shaping structures, One Za’abeel is a new mixed-use, two-building complex set within easy reach of the city’s financial, retail, dining and transportation hubs. Between the two buildings that make up One Za’abeel is a panoramic walkway known as “The Link,” a feature recognized as the largest horizontal cantilever (226m) connecting two buildings in the world.

A true architectural marvel, One Za’abeel pushes the limits of design and engineering to meet the high standards for contemporary urban living and sustainability, and to support the UAE’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

One Za'abeel balcony with skyline in the background

Balancing a wide range of challenges

The One Za’abeel project presented Otis with unique challenges. The sheer height of the two structures and the depth of the basement, where as many as 2,500 residents and visitors park, required vertical transportation solutions with high performance, reliability and energy efficiency.

Planners also knew that the solutions we provided would need to mirror the quality and luxury aesthetic of a building intended to set a whole new standard for urban living. Additionally, as a destination for celebrities and VIPs, access controls features were added.

“One Za’abeel is a cutting-edge architectural and engineering masterpiece. It is the perfect building for us to showcase our next-generation innovations in elevator technology.”

- Mohammed Al Qaisi, Managing Director Otis Gulf & Middle East Territories

Solution

At Otis, our team has extensive expertise in challenging elevator installations all over the world – including deep experience in the Middle East. Our solutions play a critical role in Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, along with Abu Dhabi’s World Trade Center.

One of the key features we had to consider throughout the One Za’abeel installation was the complex’s massive cantilever. With structural steel weighing more than the Eiffel Tower in Paris, this iconic structure posed a huge design challenge. Because it would be constructed in segments and lifted into place after the towers were built, any changes in position would need to be accounted for. This also created a need for strict design and construction sequencing.

At every step, our team coordinated with developers, consultants, contractors and architects to maintain construction continuity. We also monitored data from over 600 sensors throughout the complex to ensure our solutions would work precisely.

With this project, One Za’abeel became the third building in the Middle East to feature Otis double-deck SkyRise^® units. The double-deck configuration reduces the number of elevator hoistways needed for the building, increasing rentable space by up to 40 percent. With speeds of up to 8 m/s and the ability to hold more than 20 passengers, these elevators help keep people moving throughout the towers while providing a level of elegance and sophistication to match the building’s contemporary aesthetic.

All of the SkyRise^® elevators used in the building feature a sustainable design. Their lighter weights and smaller footprint make them easier to install, while their advanced control algorithms and ReGen™ drive technology, which recycles energy and provides clean power for other building systems, help contribute to One Za’abeel’s overall sustainability goals.

In addition to elevator solutions, the Otis Compass^® 360 destination management solution plays a key role in the building’s luxurious design. With 184 capacitive touchscreens throughout the complex, Compass^® 360 allows guests and residents to enjoy shorter wait times, faster journeys and seamless guidance through the building. It also provides access control needed to host high-profile occupants and VIPs.

The One Za’abeel project showcases how Otis can play an integral role in bringing our customers’ grandest visions to life with cutting-edge solutions, innovative technologies and expert installation.