Dubai is a city of superlatives. The biggest, the tallest, the most expensive – we’ve seen them all unveiled. Built it and they will come – someone who is much smarter than us once said. But the latest addition to the city’s ever-growing list is one we didn’t expect, the two towers connected by the world’s largest sideways building.
Now, the technical term for the ‘sideways building’ is a ‘cantilever’ and this architectural marvel is the stunning showpiece to the pair of new skyscrapers known as One Za’abeel Tower, that has been built close to the Dubai International Financial District (DIFC) and near the World Trade Centre.
Developed by Ithra Dubai and designed by Japanese firm Nikken Sekkei, the latest addition to Dubai’s skyline is a mixed-use two towers project with a horizontal connection housing the world’s largest cantilevers. One Za’abeel’s Tower A will host offices, commercial properties and the new One&Only Za’abeel. The slightly shorter Tower B will be primarily used for residential units.
Known as ‘The Link’ the cantilever is perpendicularly suspended between both towers 100m above the ground. Opening in late 2023, One&Only Za’abeel – the hotel company’s first-ever urban resort – will offer a collection of quality restaurants, a wellness retreat and a statement swimming pool on the top of it.
Joining the One&Only Za’abeel will be SIRO – a high-octane ‘fitness hotel’ brand designed for those who take wellness seriously and will offer bespoke training programmes, recovery sessions, nutrition targets and well-being plans.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, for a hotel that has wellness as part of its DNA, the fitness club is sizeable. Spread across two floors, it has a 1,000-square-metre gym, yoga studios and meditation spaces, strength and conditioning rooms, free weight zones, cardio spaces and more.