At 828 m (2,717 ft), the Burj Dubai, now referred to as the Burj Khalifa is the tallest man-made structure in the world. The amazing building was officially opened in January 2010. Construction took 6 years to complete at a cost of around US $1.5 billion.
The Dubai government reportedly developed the Burj Dubai project as a means of diversification from its primary oil based economy in the early years to a travel and tourism based economy more recently. Dubai has certainly put itself on the world map with its rapid growth and its forward vision. Other awe inspiring developments in Dubai include the Palm Island Dubai and the World Islands Dubai, both of which have helped put Dubai on the global map.
The tallest building in the world was built as a mixed-use development that includes:
– 19 residential towers
– 30,000 private residences
– 9 hotels
– Sprawling parkland
– The world’s largest mall, the Dubai Mall
– Man-made Burj Khalifa Lake
– Corporate hotels and suites
– An indoor and outdoor observation deck
One of the centre-pieces of the Burj Dubai, located at the base of the structure is a massive water fountain. With more than 6,600 lights and 50 colored projectors, the fountain is choreographed to “dance” to a combine of classical, modern and Arabic music. The fountain is a sight to behold as it shoots water more than 150m (490 ft) into the air.
The observation deck includes a state of the art Behold Telescope system which is an augmented device which allows guests to watch the surrounding landscape in real-time, and also to see historical photographs of the landscape.
Other record breaking facts about the Burj Dubai include:
– The highest vertical concrete pumping (for any construction project): 606 m (1,988ft)
– World’s tallest set up of an aluminum and glass facade, at a height of 512 m (1680 ft)
– Tallest occupied floor (160th floor )
– World’s largest elevator system comprising 57 elevators
– World’s fastest elevators that run at a pace of 64 km/h (forty mph) or eighteen metres per second (59 ft/s)
– World’s highest mosque (positioned in the 158th floor)
– World’s tallest swimming pool (76th floor)
– World’s tallest nightclub (144th floor)
– World’s tallest restaurant found on 122nd floor with the height of 442 m (1450 ft)
– World’s tallest fireworks exhibit
This structure really is a site to behold and if you get the chance to visit Dubai, it should be high on your list of things to do. The Burj Dubai is a testament to the vision and the “can do” attitude of the extraordinary city of Dubai.
