Burj Khalifa – Facts, Owner, Floors & Tickets
The Burj Khalifa, originally referred to as the Burj Dubai before its official opening, is a prominent skyscraper located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The Burj Khalifa, originally referred to as the Burj Dubai before its official opening, is a prominent skyscraper located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It holds the title of the tallest structure in the world. With an impressive total height of 829.8 meters (2,722 feet, or slightly over half a mile) and a roof height of 828 meters (2,717 feet, excluding the antenna but including a spire measuring 242.6 meters), the Burj Khalifa has maintained its status as the tallest building globally since its completion in 2009, surpassing the previous record held by Taipei 101.
Construction of the Burj Khalifa commenced in 2004, with the exterior work concluding in 2009. The primary framework of the building is composed of reinforced concrete, and some of the structural steel used was sourced from the Palace of the Republic in East Berlin, which was the former parliament of East Germany. The building was inaugurated in 2010 as a key feature of the expansive Downtown Dubai development, designed to serve as the focal point of a large-scale, mixed-use project.
The structure is named in honor of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the former president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). During the financial difficulties faced by the developer, Emaar Properties, amid the 2007-2008 financial crisis, the UAE government extended financial assistance to Dubai. Khalifa bin Zayed, who was the president at that time, facilitated federal financial support. In recognition of this assistance, Mohammad bin Rashid, the Ruler of Dubai, renamed the building from “Burj Dubai” to “Burj Khalifa” at the time of its inauguration
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Floors & Conception
The Burj Khalifa was conceived as the focal point of an extensive mixed-use development, which encompasses 30,000 residential units, nine hotels—including The Address Downtown Dubai—three hectares of parkland, a minimum of 19 residential skyscrapers, the Dubai Mall, and the 12-hectare artificial Burj Khalifa Lake. The initiative to construct the Burj Khalifa was reportedly influenced by the government’s strategy to transition from an oil-dependent economy to one centered on services and tourism. Officials have indicated that projects such as the Burj Khalifa were essential for attracting greater international recognition and investment. “He (Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum) aimed to establish Dubai’s prominence with a truly remarkable landmark,” stated Jacqui Josephson, an executive in tourism and VIP delegations at Nakheel Properties.
Owned
The Burj Khalifa, which stands at 163 stories, is owned by Emaar Properties, a company established by billionaire Mohamed Ali Alabbar. The construction of this iconic structure was carried out by a consortium comprising Samsung C&T from South Korea, BESIX from Belgium, and Arabtech from the United Arab Emirates.
Facts
- The world’s tallest building
- The highest free-standing structure globally
- The building with the greatest number of floors, surpassing 160
- The highest occupied floor in existence
- The highest outdoor observation deck worldwide
- The elevator with the longest travel distance on the planet
- The tallest service elevator in the world
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