Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (Adnec) 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.

“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,' stated Simon Horgan, Adnec Group CEO.

'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.'

“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,” added Tony Archibold, RMJM project director.

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.-TradeArabia News Service