Dubai opened the world's tallest skyscraper in a glitzy ceremony last week after Arab ruler bailed out the project. The £1billion tower reaches 2,717 ft, 200 storeys into the sky, exceeding the next highest structure by some 1,000 ft. Burj Khalifa almost doubled the height of Malaysia tallest tower, Petronas Twin Tower which stand at 1483 ft.
Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum renamed the tower Burj Khalifa after the president of the United Arab Emirates and the ruler of the neighbouring emirate of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan. Interesting to note that Abu Dhabi has facilitated $25 billion in bailout funds for Dubai in the past year. Without Abu Dhabi help, this mega project might be delayed for years.
The complex of apartments, offices, shops, restaurants, a mosque, gym, nightclub and Giorgio Armani-designed hotel, was designed to the brief that residents need never leave. Everything they could possibly need is supposedly provided.
The hotel takes up the first eight floors with suites on the 38th and 39th. Residential apartments go up to the 108th floor – at about 1,300 feet.
A number of the higher floors – up to the 160th – have been designated as office space, while there is a restaurant on the 122nd floor and a gym, with an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, on the 123rd floor – some 1,440 feet off the ground.
On the 124th floor is the world's highest observation deck. The Burj Dubai is also intending to host the world's highest nightclub – on the 143rd floor. That was indeed a brilliant idea!
In response to the increasing terrorist threat throughout the world, the Burj has in-built 'refuge floors', situated at 25 to 30 storey intervals that are more fire resistant and have separate air supplies in case of emergency. The developer is darn serious to counter any attack by the terrorists! Bring it on.
It's a lot more robust. A plane won't be able to slice through the Burj like it did through the steel columns of the World Trade Center. Well that was mentioned by the director of the project. Let's hope that we doesn't have to prove this claim.
While development still surged forward at the Burj Khalifa, it was made possible only by gigantic billion dollar bailouts from rich United Arab Emirates cousin Abu Dhabi.
And on the day of its official completion, interested parties face further problems. All of the apartments are said to have been sold but its still a mystery who will eventually move in. There is also said to be little interest in new Dubai office space. Developers still say that their vision will come true and as an engineer to-be, I share the vision with them. Burj Khalifa will be a success.
But as the city celebrates, the building is mainly vacant and could leave officials red-faced. Even though many of the building's 200 stories are unfinished, organisers are celebrating the launch with an arsenal of fireworks. Isn't that a bit early.. ;p
For facts and figures on Burj Khalifa, click below>>
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