Sorouh has completed the first stage of lifting a “penthouse bridge” to top its 65-storey Gate Towers in Abu Dhabi – one of the highest construction lifts of its kind in the world.

The first stage of the installation involved the section of the penthouse bridge connecting Tower 1 and Tower 2, of the three-tower development, which is part of the landmark Shams Abu Dhabi development on Al Reem Island.

This section of the curved bridge – weighing 750 tonnes -- or roughly the same as a Eurostar train – is 40 metres long, 30.6 metres wide and has a total area of 1,165 sq metres.

Four specially designed jacks were used to lift the bridge at its four corners. The penthouse bridge was raised to a height of 245 metres at a maximum rate of 18 metres per hour and required four days to complete. Once the bridge was in position, it took 15 days to weld and bolt together, the second stage of the lift connecting Tower 2 and Tower 3 will take place next month.

Abubaker Seddiq Al Khouri, Managing Director of Sorouh, said:

“This engineering feat is a clear demonstration of Sorouh’s advanced capabilities, and of our commitment to provide Abu Dhabi and its community with landmark properties that will change its skyline and will contribute to its leading position among the cities of the world.”

“After long days of unparalleled collaborative efforts, this endeavor concluded in one of the heaviest and highest building structure lifts of its kind in the world. The Gate Towers will add to the attraction of Shams Abu Dhabi as a thriving modern community.”

The lift was led by Sorouh and various teams representing its business partners on the Gate Towers development, which include Hill International, Khatib and Alami, Arab Construction Company, Eversendai and VSL. Additionally professional observers were monitoring the lift with great interest to see the completion of this iconic tower.

Every room of the 16 penthouses capping the Gate Towers will offer spectacular panoramic views of Abu Dhabi Island on one side and the Arabian Gulf and Saadiyat Island on the opposite side. The exclusive penthouses will comprise two stories each, with thoughtfully laid out floor-plans providing prestigious entrances, living areas, dining rooms, indoor swimming pools, guest rooms, bedrooms, family living rooms, maids’ rooms and kitchenettes.

The penthouses, which will feature revolutionary architectural designs, vary in size between 435 and 620 square metres. Five will feature an enclosed garden area spanning between the towers and an exclusive view down from an elliptical opening. These features will make the Gate Towers’ bridge penthouses an exclusive address in the UAE. The Gate Towers were designed by the design firms of Khatib & Alami in the UAE and Arquitectonica based in Miami, Florida, USA.

 

We accept Guest Posts