Aseel Bashraheel Jeddah

Nikken Sekkei, Japanese architecture, engineering, and urban design firm has announced its plans to build what it says is the world’s longest cantilever in Dubai.

The cantilever, which is a long bar or beam that hangs to a vertical support and is a structure usually erected to help with bridge construction, is called The Link and will connect the two towers that form the newly constructed One Za’abeel.

“One Za’abeel is a mixed-use development which is now under construction and it features a residential tower, an ultra-luxury five-star hotel, a commercial tower, the Gallery, and a retail destination,” revealed Fadi Jabri, Nikken Sekkei’s Executive Officer, principal responsible for the MENA, CIS, India, Australia and Europe regions.

The Link will measure 230 meters long and weigh more than 8,000 tonnes. It will be 100 meters above the ground, running across an elevated highway. It is due to be lifted into position in early 2020.

“The cantilever will offer a choice of attractions, including fine dining restaurants and lounges,” Jabri said.

Nikken Sekkei began its Middle East operation more than 30 years ago, setting up an office in Dubai as a regional design hub. Nonetheless, Jabri believes that the region has a youthful and “dynamic approach towards architecture,” making it an interesting market to be a part of.

“The region’s demand for high-quality standards in the overall market is unlocking new opportunities within larger developments. High-quality amenities, workspaces, and public attractions are now emphasized to appeal to the final users.”

Nikken Sekkei has been operating for more than a century, and the reason it continues to thrive in the way its work relates to the “detailed craftsmanship” to people.

“The ancestral link with nature, the discreet sense of beauty and pragmatic thinking have been passed down since 1900, from the founder to the next generation in response to the demands of society and our clients' requests,” said Jabri.

With a new goal to enhance the “quality of life,” the company plans to pioneer some of the world’s most innovative resource conservation methodologies and building technologies to “contribute to more resilient cities with improved amenity and ease of use,” he said.