Ofcourse, we do know this!! In 2011, Dubai broke the world record for the world’s tallest building. The Burj Khalifa is an iconic skyscraper that resides in the heart of Dubai with an astounding height of 828 metres and more than 160 stories.
While confirming the Burj Khalifa as the World’s tallest building, Guinness World Records also ratified a number of other lofty achievements for the ground-breaking structure.
The estimated cost of building Burj Khalifa is 1.5 billion USD, it was developed by Emaar Properties, a renowned local real estate firm that has also developed many other skyscrapers in Dubai.
It’s three times higher than the Eiffel Tower, and twice as high as the Empire State Building. The Burj Khalifa is visible from up to 60 miles away.
The towering structure is based on an abstraction of the local Hymenocallis flower, and is essentially three sections arranged around a central core that emerges at the top and is finished with a spire. The Y-shaped plan plays a central role in the reduction of wind forces on the tower.
At the base of Burj Khalifa, there is a large 12-hectare artificial lake which shows the Dubai fountain – the tallest performing fountain in the world.
Burj Khalifa also houses the world’s highest restaurant – At.mosphere on level 122, where you can dine looking at the city skyline from a height of 441 meters. A public observation deck, called “At the Top,” is located on the 124th floor.
Construction Facts of Burj Khalifa
- Construction work started in 2004 and lasted until 2010. Adrian Smith designed the tower and it was built by Samsung Engineering & Construction.
- Over 12,000 construction workers, mainly from South Asia, worked on the site during peak construction time. Unfortunately, four people died during the construction.
- Construction required the use of 330,000 cubic meters of concrete, equal to the weight of 100,000 elephants.
- Construction used 39,000 tonnes of steel and 142,000 square meters of glass.
- Aluminium used to build the Burj Khalifa weighs as much as 5 Airbus A380 airliners.
- The exterior of the Burj Khalifa is covered with 26,000 glass panels, all cut individually by hand. The glass panels are individually made to save energy and minimize heat transformation.
- Sustainability was extremely important during construction – the exterior cladding is silver coated to improve insulation, and solar panels were installed to heat up to 140,000 litres of water per day.
- It took 22 million man-hours to complete the construction of this iconic building.
For just AED 60, UAE residents can now visit Burj Khalifa – At the Top
Did You Know? Burj Khalifa holds 7 Guinness World Records
- Tallest Building in the world
- Tallest free-standing structure in the world
- The highest number of stories in the world
- The highest occupied floor in the world
- The highest outdoor observation deck in the world
- Elevator with the longest travel distance in the world
- Tallest service elevator in the world
- It houses the world’s highest restaurant
- The highest base jump from a building
