Thousands to attend inauguration of Burj Dubai

Dubai: Burj Dubai, the world's tallest building, will open today in a carefully orchestrated ceremony before a crowd of thousands.

A festive atmosphere will mark Downtown Burj Dubai throughout the day with a variety of activities taking place with UAE culture and heritage as the theme.

There will be traditional music and theatre, handicrafts, and Emirati cuisine will be served. A traditional Emirati wedding will also be held.

Burj Dubai is over 800 metres tall and has more than 160 storeys, the most of any building in the world.

Besides an observation deck on its 124th floor affording 360-degree views of the entire city, Burj Dubai is home to the world's first Armani Hotel, luxury offices and residences, and a variety of other sophisticated leisure and entertainment facilities.

Designed by Chicago-based Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM), Burj Dubai is constructed by high-rise experts South Korea's Samsung Corporation. New York-based Turner Construction International is the project and construction manager.

The tower employs the latest in wind engineering, structural engineering, structural systems, construction materials and construction methods.

13,000 parking slots arranged for grand launch

Dubai Dubai Police have finalised the security preparations for the grand opening of the Burj Dubai yesterday with about 13,000 parking spaces allocated to the public.

During a meeting at the Address Hotel, police and security officials discussed the final preparations for the occasion, according to Major General Mohammad Eid Al Mansouri, Director of the General Department of Protective Security and Emergency, Dubai Police.