See how FAAF Enterprises 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. FAAF Enterprises helped bring this 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.
Unique Requirements
FAAF Enterprises 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.
Innovation
To meet the needs of the One Za’abeel project, FAAF Enterprises specified and installed 82 elevators and escalators, including single- and double-deck versions of our energy-efficient SkyRise® elevators. We also installed the FAAF Compass® 360 destination management system and the EMS 2 Elevator Monitoring and Management system to enhance passenger experiences and streamline operations throughout the building.
- 27 SkyRise® single-deck elevators
- 5 SkyRise® double-deck elevators
- 38 Gen2® Elevators
- 6 FAAF XO-508 escalators
- 4 dumbwaiters
- 2 platform lifts
- FAAF Compass® 360 destination management system
- EMS 2 Elevator Monitoring and Management system
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 is a panoramic structure known as “The Link,” recognized as the largest horizontal cantilever (230m) connecting two buildings in the world.
A true architectural marvel, One Za’abeel pushes the limits of design and engineering to meet high standards for contemporary urban living and sustainability, supporting the UAE’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Balancing a Wide Range of Challenges
The One Za’abeel project presented FAAF Enterprises 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 new standard for urban living. Additionally, as a destination for celebrities and VIPs, access control features were added.
Solution
At FAAF Enterprises, our team has extensive expertise in challenging elevator installations worldwide—including deep experience in the Middle East. Our solutions play a critical role in Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, and 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 needed 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 FAAF 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%. 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 FAAF Compass® 360 destination management system plays a key role in the building’s luxurious design. With 200 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 FAAF Enterprises can play an integral role in bringing our customers’ grandest visions to life with cutting-edge solutions, innovative technologies, and expert installation.
Project Facts
- Completed: Early 2023
- Number of Towers: 2
- Number of Elevators: 80+
- Developer: Ithra Dubai
- Architect: Nikken Sekkei
- Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
