Burj Khalifa: How the world's tallest building became a major milestone for the UAE

Dubai: Described as both a ‘Vertical City’ and ‘A Living Wonder,’ Burj Khalifa, developed by Emaar, is known as a ‘Global Icon’ by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. Rising from the desert, Burj Khalifa overlooks the city with its union of art, engineering and craftsmanship.

The tower was inaugurated on January 4, 2010, to coincide with the fourth anniversary of the Accession Day of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

With a total built-up area of 5.67 million square feet, Burj Khalifa features 1.85 million square feet of residential space and over 300,000 square feet of prime office space. That is in addition to the area occupied by the Armani Hotel Dubai and the Armani Residences.

The tower offers recreational and leisure facilities including four swimming pools, excluding the pool in the hotel, lounges for home-owners and office owners, health and wellness facilities, and public observation decks, The Lounge, Burj Khalifa - the highest point in Burj Khalifa at levels 152, 153 and 154, towering at an imposing height of 584.5 meters and Atmosphere, one of the world’s highest fine dining restaurants, on Level 122.

Tallest of the Tall

Burj Khalifa is ranked number one on all three criteria for tall buildings of the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH). The CTBUH ranks the world’s tallest buildings based on ‘Height to Architectural Top,’ ‘Height to Highest Occupied Floor’ and ‘Height to Tip.’

Height to Architectural Top:

• Burj Khalifa – 828 metres (2,717 ft)

• Taipei 101, Taiwan – 508 metres (1,667 ft)

• Shanghai World Financial Centre, China – 492 metres (1,614 ft)

• Petronas Towers, Malaysia – 452 metres (1,483 ft)

Height to Highest Occupied Floor:

• Burj Khalifa – 535 metres (1,918 ft)

• Shanghai World Financial Centre, China – 474 metres (1,555 ft)

• Taipei 101, Taiwan – 438 metres (1,437 ft)

• Willis Tower, Chicago – 413 metres (1,354 ft)

Height to Tip:

• Burj Khalifa – 828 metres (2,716.5 ft)

• Willis Tower, Chicago – 527 metres (1,729 ft)

• Taipei 101, Taiwan – 508 metres (1,667 ft)

• Shanghai World Financial Centre, China – 494 metres (1,622 ft)

Plenty of world records

Burj Khalifa holds the following world records:

• Tallest building in the world – surpassing Taipei 101 in Taiwan, which at 508 metres (1,667 ft) had held the title of the ‘tallest building in the world' since it opened in 2004

• Tallest man-made structure in the world – surpassing the KVLY-TV mast in North Dakota, USA, which stands at 628.8 metres (2,063 ft)

• Tallest free-standing structure in the world – breaking the 31-year-old record of CN Tower, which stands at 553.33 metres (1,815.5 ft)

• Largest number of storeys in the world – 200 plus with 160 habitable storeys

• Highest occupied floor in the world – Level 160

• Highest outdoor observation deck in the world – Level 124

• World record for vertical concrete pumping – 605 metres, beating the previous record mheld by Taipei 101 (448 metres or 1,470 ft)

• Tallest service elevator in the world – 504 metres (1,654 ft), more than the height of Taipei 101 (448 metres) and almost one-and-a-half times that of the Empire State Building in New York (381 metres)

• World record for the highest installation of an aluminium and glass façade

• World’s highest swimming pool on Level 76 (over 270 metres; over 885 ft)

Milestones

About At The Top

At the Top – Levels 124 & 125

At the Top is, at 555 meters, one of the world's highest outdoor observation deck spread across levels 124 and 125 of Burj Khalifa. At the top houses a premium offering five star facilities. Level 125 serves as tribute to Arabic art and culture and allows visitors to enjoy a 360-degree view of Dubai. At the Top has also introduced a new VR experience (Mission 828) which simulates the real feel of scaling Burj Khalifa as well as 12 advanced telescopes which offer giga-panoramic views of Dubai.

What’s on level 124

Experience the world's fastest double deck elevators, cruising at 10m/s.

Take a closer look at the world below through, high powered, telescopes.

Step out onto the public outdoor observation terrace overlooking the growing skyline.

What’s on level 125

At 456 meters, Level 125 offers a spacious deck tastefully decorated in Arabic mashrabiya for stunning 360-degree views.

Step on to, Dubai – A Falcon's Eye View that allows you to explore Dubai as you fly over the city.

Enjoy a new immersive experience; step on an inspired glass-floor with a twist. Feel the glass crack underneath your feet, as you explore the lofty heights from 456 meters in air.

At The Top SKY Lounge at Level 148

Enjoy a personalized tour, guided by a Guest Ambassador.

Step out onto the world's highest observation deck with an outdoor terrace at 555 meters.

Refresh yourself with signature refreshments at SKY lounge

Explore Dubai's most famous landmarks with a unique interactive experience, using motion senses.

Continue your journey to levels 125 and 124

The Lounge at the Burj Khalifa

The Lounge – Burj Khalifa is the highest point in Burj Khalifa at levels 152, 153 and 154, towering at an imposing height of 584.5 meters, with the unveiling of The Lounge, Burj Khalifa.

Billed to become the must-visit destination to relax, unwind and chill away the evening in the company of friends and family, The Lounge, Burj Khalifa spans the three floors that have been converted into a state-of-the-art lounge that serves a fascinating selection of beverages and canapes for the truly discerning. The Lounge, Burj Khalifa, also features an outdoor terrace it’s a must-visit attraction for tourists and residents.

Explore the world’s highest lounge at 585 meters.

Tea in the clouds

Sit back in the lush couches. Enjoy an assortment of fresh bakes and delicate desserts, alongside a selection of the finest tea and coffee. Inclusive of a tour of the outdoor terrace.

Cocktails under the stars

Groove to the tunes of their resident vocalist or house DJ, as the night comes alive 585m above Dubai. Enjoy a glass of house beverage or bubbly, complemented by gourmet canapes. Inclusive of a tour of the outdoor terrace.

Living there: The Residence

Burj Khalifa is home to 900 residences including studios and one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments. The homes are spread over levels 19-108 of the tower.

There are state-of-the-art fitness facilities including jacuzzis on Levels 43 and 76. The Sky Lobbies on 43 and 76 both have swimming pools and a recreational room that can be utilised for special gatherings and receptions.