One Za’abeel

Dubai, U.A.E.

Elevators, New Construction

submitted by Otis Elevator Co.

Introduction

In a cityscape filled with iconic skyscrapers, One Za’abeel stands out with a cantilevered design that captures Dubai’s pioneering spirit. Overcoming the challenges posed by the building design and the unique challenges of a worldwide pandemic, Otis supplied 82 units to One Za’abeel to meet the vertical mobility demands of this landmark destination at the heart of a dynamic city. 

Tower A is known as One Za’abeel Tower and Tower B is One Za’abeel The Residences. They are connected by a panoramic cantilevered building known as “The Link.” The Link structure is an engineering marvel — weighing more than 9,400 t, spanning 230 m in length and standing 100 m above ground level with a 360˚ view of Dubai.

The 235-m Tower B was completed in June 2023, and by December 2023, the 305-m Tower A and The Link units were done. 

With the project managed by an Otis team from Dubai and supported by global Otis expertise, Otis equipment included:

• 27 SkyRise^® single-deck elevators
• Five SkyRise double-deck elevators (the double-deck configuration reduces the number of elevator hoistways needed for the building, increasing rentable space by up to 40%)
• 38 machine-room-less (MRL) Gen2^® elevators
• Six Otis XO-508 escalators
• Four dumbwaiters
• Two platform lifts

All 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.

The elevators use the Compass^® 360 elevator destination management system — a smart, virtual concierge that manages destinations and passenger flow — coupled with radio frequency identification (RFID) card readers for access control. Compass 360 ensures easy travel for all passengers, with shorter wait times and faster, more efficient journeys. The Compass 360 SmartGrouping^TM technology advances dispatching efficiency to reduce waiting and journey times by half compared with traditional systems. There are 200 high-quality Compass 360 touchscreens to guide passengers to the right elevators throughout the building. 

An Otis comprehensive maintenance service contract is fulfilled by an on-site team, who are also able to provide 24/7 support.

Project Description

One Za’abeel, located in central Dubai, is a unique and revolutionary mixed-use project developed by Ithra Dubai, which is wholly owned by the Investment Corp. of Dubai (ICD).

The project required a specialized installation approach to account for the massive cantilever that would run between the two structures: One Za’abeel Tower and One Za’abeel The Residences.

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, the Otis team coordinated with developers, consultants, contractors and architects to maintain construction continuity. They also monitored data from more than 600 sensors throughout the complex to ensure solutions would work precisely.

Limited storage space also created logistical challenges. Surrounded by landmark buildings and key highways, the development itself straddles a four-lane elevated highway running between the two towers. Materials were stored 40 km (some 25 mi.) from the project site. For each unit, Otis was only able to bring three days’ supply of materials, and this took careful forward planning and synchronization to manage designated storage space on-site and coordination with the logistics supplier, as well as booking tower crane and building hoist use.

Another installation challenge was created by varied shaft dimensions. The high-rise elevator shafts differed in both depth and width from top to bottom, which impacted the installation of separator beams — metal sections that divide the shaft for multiple elevators — and the car brackets. The project team worked with the supplier of the temporary working platform (also known as the “false car”) to develop an innovative folding design that enabled the installation to proceed. 

The COVID-19 pandemic pushed back the building’s timeline, with amplified restrictions on labor movement, increased costs of implementing health and safety measures, supply chain challenges and a significant number of the workforce isolating at any given time. However, the dedicated Otis team and committed subcontractors overcame COVID-19 challenges and kept the project moving forward at a steady, measured pace. The team’s dedication and relentless effort was instrumental in the handover of four units for intermediate use by construction crews in February 2022.

Customized To Serve One Za’abeel 

One Za’abeel is a LEED Gold-accredited, mixed-use development that pushes the limits of design and engineering to meet the high standards for contemporary urban living and sustainability and to support the U.A.E.’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The solutions Otis provided needed to mirror the quality and luxury aesthetic of a building intended to set a whole new standard for urban living. It showcases Otis products from its factories around the world. There are high-end escalator, cabin, landing doors and architrave finishes. (There are more than 1,050 elevator architraves in One Za’abeel.)

Two hundred Compass 360 touchscreens in high-end glass finishes have built-in RFID card readers for the access control needed to host high-profile occupants and VIPs.

Multimedia screens display elevator information and provide customized video-playing capabilities and an intercom link to the control room in case of emergency. The elevators have automatic rescue devices.

In The Link, there are four MRL elevators, two of which have panoramic cabins for unobstructed views, with a luxury cabin interior.

A 6000-kg capacity service elevator serves 75 stops, customized to operate in dual speed of 1 m/s and 4 m/s.

Otis EMS Panorama™ 2.0 provides remote real-time monitoring and control.

Conclusion

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