Emaar's new sky bridge will link two Downtown Dubai hotels

Emaar Properties announced that it completed a challenging engineering feat of designing, constructing, and lifting of a sky bridge that links the new Address Sky View Hotel with the Address Residences Sky View in Downtown Dubai.

Rising at a height of over 220m, the 85m-long sky bridge, with a height of 22m and maximum width of 30m, has three storeys and will feature eight units of Sky Collection Duplexes, a 70m-long infinity pool, reports Construction Week.

The sky bridge is fabricated using 4,500 tonnes of structural steel, and was lifted in position using Strand Jacking Technology, customised for the project.

A team of global experts from five different entities worked on the project that was completed in around 365 days by more than 300 professionals, a company statement said.

Mohamed Alabbar, chairman of Emaar Properties, said: “Building and lifting the sky bridge is the result of the hard work and collaboration of some of the best international experts in the field, who addressed various challenges through their innovative and creative approach.

“They have accomplished a remarkable engineering feat that will serve as a referral point in modern construction.”

The sky bridge addressed several design challenges given the extensive loads of steel and concrete, as well as the loads related to the infinity pool, pool deck and façade, it needed.

The ambient temperature difference was also considered during the design stage to ensure that it suits the region’s climate.

A steel frame with three levels was designed to hold the huge loads transferred to the core walls of the two towers it links.

To address the construction challenges, the main body of the bridge was divided into five elements, each weighing over 400 tonnes each. The fifth element is the Mega truss in the middle that has a total weight of over 1,500 tonnes.

High capacity cranes, not commonly used in the region, were deployed to lift the huge weights. Special high-capacity hydraulic jacks were also imported from Switzerland.

Another task was designing eight custom-made Boom and Derrick systems that had to be assembled at level 50 – about 200m high – on both towers. Laser technology was deployed for precise levelling.

To execute the seamless lifting of the Sky Bridge, each element was assembled on ground. They were then lifted using the Strand Jacking Technology over a period of four months from November 2016 to February 2017.

The Mega truss, the heaviest component, was lifted to the height of 220m using the high-capacity hydraulic jacks and cables.

The sky bridge has undergone extensive fire proofing and other safety and security tests. Each component was elaborately tested to ensure the highest standards of quality and durability.

The super-lifting of the sky bridge also required adequate planning, team work, and technological perfection, the statement said.  

Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the architects of Burj Khalifa, Address Sky View has 169 hotel rooms on 12 levels with amenities including restaurants, lounges, an event venue, meeting rooms, three pools including a rooftop pool and a spa.

Address Residences Sky View has 551 serviced residences that are fully furnished with floor-to-ceiling windows.