Abu Dhabi:Capital Gate reaches 100m height

Capital Gate reaches 100m height

Floors 17 and 18 to house gigantic suspended Atrium

Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) has announced that it has achieved one of the most significant milestones in the construction of the iconic Capital Gate, adjacent to the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. A gigantic internal Atrium, including swimming pool and ‘tea lounge’ has been suspended on the 17th and 18th floors, the halfway point of the 35 storey, 160 metre high tower. The tower now stands approximately 100m high with the central core at level 22 and the external diagrid at level 18.

When complete Capital Gate will lean an astonishing 18 degrees westward, 14 degrees more than the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. By installing a huge number of steel struts, engineers have realised ADNEC’s and project architect’s (RMJM) vision of the Atrium - creating a cantilevered “tea lounge” and swimming pool suspended 80 metres above the ground at level 18.

Because of its unique posture, the 35 storey Capital Gate is being constructed on top of a 2m deep concrete raft with an incredibly dense mesh of reinforced steel. The extraordinary steel exoskeleton known as the “diagrid” sits above an extensive distribution of 490 piles that have been drilled 30 metres underground to accommodate the gravitational, wind and seismic pressures. The design of the central core, which slants in opposite direction to the lean of the building, straightening as it grows, has never been attempted before.

Commenting on Capital Gate’s progress, Simon Horgan, ADNEC Group CEO, said: “When complete Capital Gate will be a modern day icon for Abu Dhabi, recognisable throughout the world. Capital Gate is not about being the biggest or the tallest, it is about advanced technical ingenuity and aesthetic splendour. This is one of the most challenging buildings under construction in the world at the moment but due to the partnership between ADNEC, RMJM and all contractors on the project, ground breaking solutions are being designed on a daily basis.”

Tony Archibold, RMJM Project Director, added: “Passing the half-way point in development is a great success and we are now entering a critical period in Capital Gate’s development. While we are facing some of our toughest architectural challenges, it is also the beginning of the most exciting stage; where this unique structure begins to take shape.”

Capital Gate will house Abu Dhabi’s first Hyatt hotel – Hyatt at Capital Centre, a presidential style luxury 5 star hotel which will provide 200 hotel rooms for Abu Dhabi and will serve ADNEC’s visitors and exhibitors as well as international business and leisure travellers.

Capital Gate

Capital Gate, when completed, will lean an incredible 18 degrees (14 degrees more than the famous leaning tower of Pisa). It is being developed by Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) and has been designed by global architects RMJM. Capital Gate forms the centre piece of the Capital Centre development, an AED8 billion (£1.5 billion) business and residential micro city being constructed around the thriving Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.


About Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC)

Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) is a strategic international venue development and management company. ADNEC’s venue portfolio includes one of the most modern exhibition centre’s in the world - the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, and the UK capital’s largest exhibition and conference venue, ExCeL London.

ADNEC is creating unique business districts to serve Abu Dhabi’s rapid expansion and emergence on the global stage.

Development projects surrounding the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre include Capital Centre (a mixed-use development of 23 residential, commercial and mixed-use towers adjacent to the exhibition centre), Capital Gate (an iconic 35 storey gravity defying feature tower, featuring the 5-star hotel - ‘Hyatt at Capital Centre’) and a 2.4km Marina zone.

In addition, ADNEC is expanding within the region, with The Al Ain Convention Centre, a residential and business micro city around a state-of-the-art convention centre.

Cityscape Abu Dhabi:Abu Dhabi unveils new Capital City District

Abu Dhabi unveils new Capital City District

Details of sustainable Arab city for 370,000 people, government ministries, universities and embassies revealed at Cityscape Abu Dhabi

Details of the massive new government and economic district for the capital of the United Arab Emirates was unveiled today (Sunday 19 April 2009) in the presence of His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

A model of the Capital City District project is the centrepiece of the stand of the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council at Cityscape Abu Dhabi, the real estate and investment exhibition and conference, officially opened by Sheikh Mohammed. The Crown Prince was briefed by officials of the planning council on the project during an extensive tour of leading exhibitors at the show.

Work starts on the 4,900 hectare Capital City District in 2012 which, once completed, will serve as the government and economic centre for the UAE. It is planned as a sustainable, mixed-use city for 370,000 residents as well as federal government buildings, major universities, hospitals, embassies and international institutions.

“The Capital City District represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a truly authentic and sustainable modern Arab capital,” said Falah Al Ahbabi, General Manager of the Urban Planning Council. The district, close to Abu Dhabi International Airport and Mohammed bin Zayed City, is planned to be linked by grand boulevards, shaded streets, open space and a world class public transport system.

Cityscape Abu Dhabi, which runs until Wednesday (22 April 2009) at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, brings together investors, architects, designers, developers, government authorities and key decision makers involved in the design and construction of public and private real estate developments.

The show, bigger than last year despite the market downturn, takes up nine halls plus the atrium of the centre with more than 40,000 square metres of exhibition space. - 10,000 more than 2008. More than 300 companies are participating with virtually all major developers represented.

“Abu Dhabi, like other markets, may be feeling the effects of a slowdown but the measured approach to development and the full backing of the government means there are excellent growth prospects and a positive future outlook here in Abu Dhabi,” said Rohan Marwaha, Managing Director of the Cityscape series of events organised by IIR Exhibitions.

“Nevertheless, we can expect to see greater emphasis in future on regulatory frameworks, transparency and, perhaps, more time to sit back and carefully evolve strategies for the future,” he added. “Indeed Cityscape Abu Dhabi, our first event of 2009, will serve as the benchmark for the industry as we move further into the year.”

Other Cityscape events organised by the Middle East offices of IIR Exhibitions, include Cityscape Asia, Cityscape Dubai, Cityscape USA, Cityscape Latin America and Cityscape India. In recognition of the growing international stature of Cityscape – now established as the biggest global business-to-business real estate and investment event – a new brand identity was unveiled at Cityscape Abu Dhabi.

Bahrain-based strategic brand consultancy Unisono, were chosen by Cityscape to create the new brand identity. “Unisono helped us to create a more corporate, consistent and integrated approach, building a stronger foundation for future growth,” Marwaha said.

Running alongside the Cityscape Abu Dhabi exhibition is the Real Estate Finance and Investment Conference featuring more than 100 speakers from the world’s leading finance, investment and real estate companies.

Cityscape Abu Dhabi 2009 has received widespread backing from industry leaders. Headline sponsor is Mubadala Real Estate and Hospitality; Platinum sponsors are Aldar, Sorouh Real Estate, Al Qudra Real Estate, The Land Real Estate Investment and Development Company, Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company, and Burooj Properties; Investment sponsor is Abu Dhabi Investment House; Associate sponsor is the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipal Affairs. Gold sponsor is Tameer and Al Maabar; Silver sponsors are Aqaba Development Corporation and HSBC. The sponsor of the Real Estate Finance and Investment conference is Brand Experience. International Broadcasting Partner is CNN International and regional broadcasting partner is Al Arabiya.

For more details about Cityscape Abu Dhabi, please visit http://www.cityscapeabudhabi.com

Photo caption:

His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, is briefed on the Capital City District project at Cityscape Abu Dhabi.