Soaring high above the Dubai skyline, the Burj Khalifa, once known as the Burj Dubai before its grand opening, continues to reign as the world's tallest structure. This architectural marvel boasts a staggering height of 829.8 meters (2,722 feet), or an impressive half-mile.
Reaching even higher thanks to its 242.6-meter spire (excluding the antenna), the Burj Khalifa's total roof height clocks in at 828 meters (2,717 feet). Since its completion in 2009, it has proudly held the title of the world's tallest structure and building, dethroning its predecessor, Taipei 101.
From the sands of 2004, a vision rose. Construction began on the Burj Khalifa, destined to pierce the clouds and redefine the meaning of "tall." Five years later, in 2009, its gleaming exterior mirrored the desert sun, a testament to human ambition and engineering prowess.
Burj Khalifa the highness of United Arab Emirates
More than concrete and steel, the Burj Khalifa's heart beats with a unique history. Its reinforced concrete frame stands strong, yet within its core lies a surprising echo – structural steel salvaged from the Palace of the Republic in East Berlin. A symbolic fusion of old and new, East and West, rising tall above the sands of time.
In 2010, the world gasped. Downtown Dubai unveiled its crown jewel, not just a building, but a beacon of progress. Designed as a mixed-use masterpiece, the Burj Khalifa housed residences, offices, hotels, and even its own Armani Hotel. It wasn't just a structure; it was a microcosm, a city within a city, pulsating with life.
But the story goes deeper. The Burj Khalifa's birth wasn't just about aesthetics. It was a strategic move, a monument to Dubai's ambition to diversify beyond oil and claim its place on the global stage. With the support of Abu Dhabi and the UAE government, this audacious dream took flight, forever changing the desert skyline.
Records shattered, jaws dropped. The Burj Khalifa didn't just touch the sky, it claimed it. As the tallest building in the world, it surpassed expectations, becoming an icon of human innovation and a symbol of Dubai's unwavering spirit.
The Burj Khalifa is more than a structure; it's a story. A story of ambition, ingenuity, and a nation's bold vision reaching for the stars. It's a testament to the power of collaboration and the boundless potential of human dreams.
This is not just a skyscraper; it's a sky legend.
Imagine reaching for the clouds. Not with a plane, but with a building. That's the audacious vision behind the Burj Khalifa, and the story of its design is as captivating as its height.
Led by architectural maestro Adrian Smith, the mastermind behind Chicago's Sears Tower, a team at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill dreamt of a new world record. Hyder Consulting joined as the watchful engineers, and NORR Group Consultants International Limited meticulously oversaw the architectural symphony.
Inspiration whispered from the sands of history. The Great Mosque of Samarra, an emblem of Islamic architecture, echoed its influence in the Burj Khalifa's graceful Y-shaped form. This wasn't just aesthetics; it was a clever optimization for both residences and hotels.
Strength in unity, grace in form. A central core, buttressed by powerful wings, became the backbone of this sky giant. Unlike its predecessor, Tower Palace III, Burj Khalifa's core housed all its elevators, leaving the wings uncluttered and spacious.
Dubai's scorching sun was no match for this architectural marvel. A specially designed cladding system, a shield against the heat, ensured the building's comfort and efficiency. And to navigate its staggering height, a network of 57 elevators and 8 escalators hummed to life.
The Burj Khalifa wasn't just built; it was meticulously engineered. Every curve, every beam, every inch tells a story of innovation, collaboration, and unwavering ambition. It's a testament to human ingenuity, a beacon of progress, and a symbol that dreams, no matter how audacious, can touch the sky.
This is more than a design; it's a desert masterpiece.
At a certain point in the architectural and engineering process, the original Emaar developers experienced financial problems and required more money and economic funding. Sheikh Khalifa, the then-ruler of the United Arab Emirates, granted monetary aid and funding, hence the changing of the name from "Burj Dubai" to "Burj Khalifa". The concept of profitability derived from building high-density developments and malls around the landmark has proven successful. Its surrounding malls, hotels, and condominiums in Downtown Dubai have generated the most revenue from the project as a whole, while the Burj Khalifa itself made little or no profit.
The critical reception of Burj Khalifa has been generally positive, and the building has received many awards. Numerous complaints concern migrant workers from South Asia, the primary building labour force, who were paid low wages and sometimes had their passports confiscated.
Development
Construction began on 12 January 2004, with the exterior of the structure completed on 1 October 2009. The building officially opened on 4 January 2010 and is part of the 2 km2 (490-acre) Downtown Dubai development at the 'First Interchange' along Sheikh Zayed Road, near Dubai's main business district. The tower's architecture and engineering were performed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill of Chicago, with Adrian Smith as chief architect, and Bill Baker as a chief structural engineer. The primary contractor was Samsung C&T of South Korea, together with local company Arabtec and the Belgian group BESIX.
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