Dubai's latest engineering marvel has reached a key milestone

ONE of the world’s longest cantilevered structures was lifted into place in August, Eversendai Corp revealed on 09 September.

One Za’abeel is a dual tower complex linked by a 9,000 tonne bridge, suspended 125 metres in the air.

Above: The cantilevered bridge being lifted into place (image courtesy of Omnim International).

The bridge is 192 metres long and was lifted into place over three days with more than 24 heavy-duty strand jacks.

A second lift will occur in the next month and will complete the rest of the cantilever, making it 230 metres in length.

Above and Below: The completed towers will be a striking new addition to the Dubai skyline (images courtesy of Nikken Sekkei). 

The high-rise mixed use development will house offices, a hotel and residents across the two towers, the tallest of which will be 330 metres high while the shorter one will stand at 235 meters.

The towers' design is a result of the unusual site they sit on.

Separated by a six lane carriageway, architects and engineers had to come up with an innovative way to connect the buildings.

The complex has proven to be an engineering triumph and will become yet another architectural icon for the city of Dubai.

Above and Below: The unique design of the towers is a result of a highway that cuts through the site (images courtesy of Nikken Sekkei).

Eversendai Corp has a long history of constructing some of the world’s most famous buildings.

They’ve worked on the Petronas Twin Towers, the Burj Al Arab, Emirates Towers, and the Burj Khalifa - the world's current tallest building.