Burj Dubai sets global records

Dubai: At 512.1 metres (1,680 feet), Burj Dubai has become the world's tallest tower.

Burj Dubai, being developed by Emaar Properties, is now taller than Taipei 101 in Taiwan, which at 508 metres had been the tallest building in the world since it opened in 2004. Burj Dubai has now reached 141 levels - more storeys than any other building in the world.

On schedule for completion in 2008, Burj Dubai will be the tallest structure in the world in all four criteria listed by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. The council measures height to the structural top, the highest occupied floor, to the top of the roof, and to the tip of the spire, pinnacle, antenna, mast or flag pole.

During its construction, Burj Dubai has left behind the skyscrapers that previously defined tall tower architecture around the world such as Petronas Towers in Malaysia (452 metres); Sears Tower in Chicago (442 metres); Jin Mao Building in Shanghai (421 metres) and the Empire State Building in New York (381 metres).

The company has yet to reveal the final height and number of storeys. When completed, Burj Dubai will have consumed 330,000 cubic metres of concrete, 39,000 metric tonnes of steel rebar, 142,000 square metres of glass and 22 million man hours. The tower will have 56 elevators travelling at 1.75 to 10 metres per second and double-decker observatory elevators that can carry 42 people at a time.

More than 313,700 cubic metres of reinforced concrete and 62,200 tonnes of reinforcing steel have been used in the tower's construction so far. Burj Dubai has already set a world record for vertical concrete pumping for a building by pumping to more than 460 metres. The previous record of 448 metres was held by Taipei 101.

Burj Dubai has been designed to manage the effect of wind and seismic movements. High-strength concrete makes up the tower's superstructure, which is supported by reinforced concrete mats and piles. The 80,000 square foot foundation slab and 50-metre deep piling are waterproofed.

Burj Dubai became the tallest building in the world in just 1,276 days; excavation work started in January 2004.

More than 5,000 consultants and skilled construction workers are employed onsite, and the world's fastest high-capacity construction hoists, with a speed of up to two metres per second, move men and materials.

Masterpiece

"Burj Dubai is not just an architectural and engineering masterpiece in concrete, steel and glass. It is a human achievement without equal. Burj Dubai will inspire future generations to think beyond the ordinary and to challenge their mind and spirit," said Mohammad Ali Al Abbar, chairman of Emaar Properties.

Emaar has partnered with best-in-class consultants such as South Korean construction major Samsung Corporation and New York-based Project Manager Turner Construction to realise the design of architect Adrian Smith and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill of Chicago.

Fact file: Important milestones

February 2003: Emaar Properties announces Burj Dubai

January 2004: Excavation work for Burj Dubai begins

June 2004: Launches Downtown Burj Dubai

September 2004: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, witnesses the first pouring of cement for Burj Dubai

May 2005: Deal signed with Giorgio Armani to open The Armani Hotel & Residences in Burj Dubai

June 2006: Burj Dubai scales 50 levels

January 2007: Burj Dubai reaches Level 100

March 2007: Burj Dubai, at Level 110, is the tallest structure in the Middle East and Europe

April 2007: At Level 120, Burj Dubai sets new global record for having more floors than any other building

May 2007: At Level 130, Burj Dubai is second tallest tower in the world

July 2007: At Level 141, it is tallest tower in the world


Have your say
Would you live/work in the world's tallest tower? Which is the tallest structure that you have visited?

Working building the Burj gives me a unique privilege beyond comparison. I am sure that the Burj will never miss the eye of anyone who happens to pass through Dubai thanks to touching the clouds and the six petal desert flower shape.
Rijo
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 22, 2007, 15:04

I would love to work in the tallest building in the world. Why not?! It is a great achievement for Dubai. Would be great to go to the top one day soon!
Lisa
London,UK
Posted: July 22, 2007, 15:02

I was part of the construction up to the 50th floor. I would like to congratulate all the staff and workers on this occasion. Keep up the good work.
Sunil
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 22, 2007, 14:33

Absolutely, a masterpiece beyond comparison. But please spare at least a thought for the labourers without whom this was not possible.
Dr. Jamil
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 22, 2007, 13:39

Scary!! That's all I can say!
Beena
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 22, 2007, 12:47

If I got an opportunity to work in the world's tallest building, I would be proud to take it. It would be a great experience to live and work in the world's tallest building.
Jinesh
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 22, 2007, 10:46

I am 13 years old and when I am all grown up, I wish to be an IT network engineer in one of the companies that will occupy Burj Dubai.
Geeth
Colombo,Sri Lanka
Posted: July 22, 2007, 08:43

I would be proud to work or live in the tallest building in the world. It is like sharing the success of the people behind it. It will also be a little scary, but I am sure it would be worth the scare.
Fay
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 22, 2007, 08:41

I consider the Taipei 101 a lower but far more innovative structure that is designed to withstand both earthquakes and tornado winds. It is truly a more sophisticated and creative engineering marvel than the conventional needle scalloped Burj Dubai, which is reminiscent of the Empire State Building. Nonetheless, the Burj Dubai is still an achievement - having been built in a relatively short time frame.
Herman
Pennysylvania,USA
Posted: July 22, 2007, 04:18

I visited Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur recently. They have a special area to allow visitors to go up to the 41st floor. It was free of charge and it was an amazing experience. They showed videos of the Towers and its construction. I hope Burj Dubai will have a visiting area that is free of charge.
Hekmat
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 22, 2007, 00:35

The tallest structure I have visited was the Sears Tower. I don't want to work or live in the world's tallest tower.
Albert
Oostvoorne,The Netherlands
Posted: July 22, 2007, 00:33