Burj Khalifa

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"Burj Dubai" redirects here. It is not to be confused with Bur Dubai, a district of Dubai.

Burj Khalifa

The Burj Khalifa in October 2012

Former names Burj Dubai

Record height

Tallest in the world since 2008[I]

Preceded by Taipei 101

General information

Status Complete
Type Mixed-use

Architectural Neo-futurism

style

Location 1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid

Boulevard, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

251149.7N551626.8ECoordinates: 2511
Coordinates
49.7N 551626.8E

Construction 6 January 2004

started

Completed Intended: September 2008; Revised: 2 December

2009[1]

Opened 4 January 2010[2]

Cost USD $ 1.5 billion[3]

Height

Architectural 828 m (2,717 ft)[4]

Tip 829.8 m (2,722 ft)[4]

Roof 828 m (2,717 ft)

Top floor 584.5 m (1,918 ft) (Level 154)[4]

Observatory 555.7 m (1,823 ft) (Level 148)[4]

Technical details

Material Glass, steel, aluminium, reinforced concrete

Floor count 163 above ground. 154 usable floors[4][5]

plus 9 maintenance levels (46 spire levels)[6] and 2

below-ground parking levels

Floor area 309,473 m2(3,331,100 sq ft)[4]

Lifts/elevators 57 (55 single deck and 2 double deck), made by Otis

Elevator Company

Design and construction

Architect Adrian Smith at SOM

Developer Emaar Properties[4]

 Structural Bill Baker at SOM[7]

engineer

Main contractor
Samsung C&T

Corporation, Besix and Arabtec

Supervision Consultant Engineer &

Architect of Record Hyder Consulting

Construction Project Manager Turner

Construction

Grocon[8]

Planning Bauer AG and Middle East

Foundations[8]

Lift contractor Otis[8]

VT consultant Lerch Bates[8]

Website

www.burjkhalifa.ae

The Burj Khalifa (Arabic: , Arabic for "Khalifa Tower"; pronounced English /brd k
lif/), known as the Burj Dubai before its inauguration, is a megatall
skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It has a roof height of 828 m (2,717 ft), and with
its antenna included, it stands a total height of 829.8 m (2,722 ft), making it the tallest
building and the tallest structure in the world.[4][9]
Construction of the Burj Khalifa began in 2004, with the exterior completed 5 years later in 2009.
The primary structure is reinforced concrete. The building was opened in 2010 as part of a new
development called Downtown Dubai. It is designed to be the centrepiece of large-scale, mixed-
use development. The decision to build the building is reportedly based on the government's
decision to diversify from an oil-based economy, and for Dubai to gain international recognition.
The building was named in honour of the ruler of Abu Dhabi and president of the United Arab
Emirates, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Abu Dhabi and the UAE government lent Dubai money to
pay its debts. The building broke numerous height records, including its designation as the tallest
tower in the world.
Burj Khalifa was designed by Adrian Smith, then of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), whose
firm designed the Willis Tower and One World Trade Center. Hyder Consulting was chosen to be
the supervising engineer with NORR Group Consultants International Limited chosen to
supervise the architecture of the project. The design is derived from the Islamic architecture of
the region, such as in the Great Mosque of Samarra. The Y-shaped tripartite floor geometry is
designed to optimize residential and hotel space. A buttressed central core and wings are used to
support the height of the building. Although this design was derived from Tower Palace III, the
Burj Khalifas central core houses all vertical transportation with the exception of egress stairs
within each of the wings.[10] The structure also features a cladding system which is designed to
withstand Dubai's hot summer temperatures. It contains a total of 57 elevators and 8 escalators.
 Critical reception to Burj Khalifa has been generally positive, and the building has received many
awards. However, the labour issues during construction were controversial, since the building
was built primarily by migrant workers from South Asia with several allegations of mistreatment.
Poor working conditions are common, as the result of the lack of minimum wage laws in the
United Arab Emirates.[11] Several instances of suicides have been reported, which is not
uncommon for migrant construction workers in Dubai despite safety precautions in place. [12]

Contents
[hide]

1Development

2Conception

o 2.1Records

o 2.2History of height increases

o 2.3Delay

3Architecture and design

o 3.1Plumbing systems

o 3.2Air conditioning

o 3.3Window cleaning

4Features

o 4.1The Dubai Fountain

o 4.2Observation deck

o 4.3Burj Khalifa park

o 4.4Floor plans

5Construction

o 5.1Milestones

o 5.2Real estate values

o 5.3Official launch ceremony

6Reception

o 6.1Awards

o 6.2BASE jumping

o 6.3Climbing
 o 6.4Fatalities

o 6.5Ramadan observance on the higher floors

7In popular culture

8Fireworks displays

9Labour controversy

10See also

11References

12External links

Development[edit]
Construction began on 6 January 2004, with the exterior of the structure completed on 1 October
2009. The building officially opened on 4 January 2010,[2][13] and is part of the new 2 km2 (490-
acre) development called Downtown Dubai 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 and Merrill of Chicago, with Adrian Smith as chief architect, and Bill
Baker as chief structural engineer.[14][15] The primary contractor was Samsung C&T of South
Korea.[16] The tower's construction was done by the construction division of Al Ghurair
Investment group.[17][18]

Conception[edit]
Burj Khalifa was designed to be the centrepiece of a large-scale, mixed-use development that
would include 30,000 homes, nine hotels (including The Address Downtown Dubai), 3 hectares
(7.4 acres) of parkland, at least 19 residential towers, the Dubai Mall, and the 12-hectare (30-
acre) artificial Burj Khalifa Lake. The decision to build Burj Khalifa is reportedly based on the
government's decision to diversify from an oil-based economy to one that is service and tourism
based. According to officials, it is necessary for projects like Burj Khalifa to be built in the city to
garner more international recognition, and hence investment. "He (Sheikh Mohammed bin
Rashid Al Maktoum) wanted to put Dubai on the map with something really sensational," said
Jacqui Josephson, a tourism and VIP delegations executive at Nakheel Properties.[19] The tower
was known as Burj Dubai ("Dubai Tower") until its official opening in January 2010. [20] It was
renamed in honour of the ruler of Abu Dhabi and president of the United Arab Emirates, Khalifa
bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Abu Dhabi and the federal government of UAE lent Dubai tens of billions of
USD so that Dubai could pay its debts Dubai borrowed at least $80 billion for construction
projects.[20] In the 2000s, Dubai started diversifying its economy but it suffered from an economic
crisis in 20072010, leaving large-scale projects already in construction abandoned. [citation needed]
Records[edit]

Tallest existing structure: 828 m (2,717 ft) (previously KVLY-TV mast 628.8 m or
2,063 ft)

Tallest structure ever built: 828 m (2,717 ft) (previously Warsaw radio mast 646.38 m or
2,121 ft)

Tallest freestanding structure: 828 m (2,717 ft) (previously CN Tower 553.3 m or

1,815 ft)
 Tallest skyscraper (to top of spire): 828 m (2,717 ft) (previously Taipei 101 509.2 m or
1,671 ft)

Tallest skyscraper to top of antenna: 828 m (2,717 ft) (previously the Willis (formerly
Sears) Tower 527 m or 1,729 ft)

Building with most floors: 211 (including spire) previously World Trade Center 110[21]

Building with world's highest occupied floor: 584.5 m (1,918 ft)[22][23]

World's highest elevator installation (situated inside a rod at the very top of the building)[24]

World's longest travel distance elevators: 504 m (1,654 ft)[24][25]

Highest vertical concrete pumping (for a building): 606 m (1,988 ft)[26]

World's tallest structure that includes residential space[27]

World's highest observation deck: 148th floor at 555 m (1,821 ft)[28][29]

World's highest outdoor observation deck: 124th floor at 452 m (1,483 ft)

World's highest installation of an aluminium and glass faade: 512 m (1,680 ft)[30]

World's highest nightclub: 144th floor

World's highest restaurant (At.mosphere): 122nd floor at 442 m (1,450 ft) (previously 360,
at a height of 350 m (1,148 ft) in CN Tower)[31]

World's highest New Year display of fireworks.[32]

History of height increases[edit]

Burj Khalifa compared with some other well-known tall structures

There are unconfirmed reports of several planned height increases since its inception. Originally
proposed as a virtual clone of the 560 m (1,837 ft) Grollo Tower proposal for Melbourne,
Australia's Docklands waterfront development, the tower was redesigned by Skidmore, Owings
and Merrill (SOM).[33] Marshall Strabala, an SOM architect who worked on the project until 2006,
in late 2008 said that Burj Khalifa was designed to be 808 m (2,651 ft) tall.[34]
The architect who designed it, Adrian Smith, felt that the uppermost section of the building did not
culminate elegantly with the rest of the structure, so he sought and received approval to increase
it to the current height.[citation needed] It has been explicitly stated that this change did not include any
added floors, which is fitting with Smith's attempts to make the crown more slender.[35]
Delay[edit]
Emaar Properties announced on 9 June 2008 that construction of Burj Khalifa was delayed by
upgraded finishes and would be completed only in September 2009.[36] An Emaar spokesperson
said that "[t]he luxury finishes that were decided on in 2004, when the tower was initially
conceptualised, is now being replaced by upgraded finishes. The design of the apartments has
also been enhanced to make them more aesthetically attractive and functionally superior." [37] A
revised completion date of 2 December 2009 was then announced. [38] However, Burj Khalifa was
opened on 4 January 2010, more than a month later.[2][13]

Architecture and design[edit]

Cross-section comparisons of various towers, from top to bottom: Burj Khalifa, Taipei 101, Willis Tower,
World Trade Center

The tower was designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM), who also designed the Willis
Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) in Chicago and the One World Trade Center in New York City.
Burj Khalifa uses the bundled tube design of the Willis Tower, invented by Fazlur Rahman Khan.
[39][40]
Proportionally, the design uses half the amount of steel used in the construction of the Empire
State Building thanks to the tubular system.[39][41]Its design is reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright's
vision for The Illinois, a mile-high skyscraper designed for Chicago. According to Marshall
Strabala, a SOM architect who worked on the building's design team, Burj Khalifa was designed
based on the 73rd floor Tower Palace Three, an all residential building in Seoul. In its early
planning, Burj Khalifa was intended to be entirely residential. [34]
Subsequent to the original design by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, Emaar Properties chose
Hyder Consulting to be the supervising engineer with NORR Group Consultants International Ltd
chosen to supervise the architecture of the project.[42] Hyder was selected for their expertise in
structural and MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) engineering. [43] Hyder Consulting's role
was to supervise construction, certify SOM's design, and be the engineer and architect of record
to the UAE authorities.[42] NORR's role was the supervision of all architectural components
including on site supervision during construction and design of a 6-storey addition to the Office
Annex Building for architectural documentation. NORR was also responsible for the architectural
integration drawings for the Armani Hotel included in the Tower. Emaar Properties also
engaged GHD,[44] an international multidisciplinary consulting firm, to act as an independent
verification and testing authority for concrete and steelwork.

The spiral minaret at the Great Mosque of Samarra

The design is derived from Islamic architecture.[24] As the tower rises from the flat desert base,
there are 27 setbacks in a spiralling pattern, decreasing the cross section of the tower as it
reaches toward the sky and creating convenient outdoor terraces. These setbacks are arranged
and aligned in a way that minimizes vibration wind loading from eddy currents and vortices. [10] At
the top, the central core emerges and is sculpted to form a finishing spire. At its tallest point, the
tower sways a total of 1.5 m (4.9 ft).[45]
As part of a study which reveals the unnecessary "vanity space" added to the top of the world's
tallest buildings by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), it was revealed that
without its 244-metre spire, the 828-metre Burj Khalifa would drop to a substantially smaller 585-
metre height without any reduction in usable space. As the report states, the spire "could be a
skyscraper on its own".[22]
The spire of Burj Khalifa is composed of more than 4,000 tonnes (4,400 short tons; 3,900 long
tons) of structural steel. The central pinnacle pipe weighs 350 tonnes (390 short tons; 340 long
tons) and has a height of 200 m (660 ft). The spire also houses communications equipment.[46]
In 2009, architects announced that more than 1,000 pieces of art would adorn the interiors of
Burj Khalifa, while the residential lobby of Burj Khalifa would display the work of Jaume Plensa.[47]
The cladding system consists of 142,000 m2 (1,528,000 sq ft) of more than 26,000 reflective
glass panels and aluminium and textured stainless steel spandrel panels with vertical tubular
fins.[46] The architectural glass provides solar and thermal performance as well as an anti-glare
shield for the intense desert sun, extreme desert temperatures and strong winds. In total the
glass covers more than 174,000 m2 (1,870,000 sq ft)[citation needed].
The exterior temperature at the top of the building is thought to be 6 C (11 F) cooler than at its
base.[48]
A 304-room Armani Hotel, the first of four by Armani, occupies 15 of the lower 39 floors.[4][49] The
hotel was supposed to open on 18 March 2010,[50][51] but after several delays, it finally opened to
the public on 27 April 2010.[52] The corporate suites and offices were also supposed to open from
March onwards,[53] yet the hotel and observation deck remained the only parts of the building
which were open in April 2010.
The sky lobbies on the 43rd and 76th floors house swimming pools.[54] Floors through to 108 have
900 private residential apartments (which, according to the developer, sold out within eight hours
of being on the market). An outdoor zero-entry swimming pool is located on the 76th floor of the
tower. Corporate offices and suites fill most of the remaining floors, except for a 122nd, 123rd
and 124th floor where the At.mosphere restaurant, sky lobby and an indoor and outdoor
observation deck is located respectively. In January 2010, it was planned that Burj Khalifa would
receive its first residents from February 2010.[54][55]
A total of 57 elevators and 8 escalators are installed. [46] The elevators have a capacity of 12 to 14
people per cabin, the fastest rising and descending at up to 10 m/s (33 ft/s) for double-deck
elevators. However, the world's fastest single-deck elevator still belongs to Taipei 101 at
16.83 m/s (55.2 ft/s). Engineers had considered installing the world's first triple-deck elevators,
but the final design calls for double-deck elevators.[27] The double-deck elevators are equipped
with entertainment features such as LCD displays to serve visitors during their travel to the
observation deck.[56] The building has 2,909 stairs from the ground floor to the 160th floor.[57]
The graphic design identity work for Burj Khalifa is the responsibility of Brash Brands, an
independent international creative branding agency based in London. Design of the global
launch events, communications, and visitors centres[58] for Burj Khalifa have also been created by
Brash Brands as well as the roadshow exhibition for the Armani Residences, which are part of
the Armani Hotel within Burj Khalifa, which toured Milan, London, Jeddah, Moscow and Delhi. [59]
Plumbing systems[edit]
The Burj Khalifa's water system supplies an average of 946,000 L (250,000 U.S. gal) of water per
day through 100 km (62 mi) of pipes.[24][60] An additional 213 km (132 mi) of piping serves the fire
emergency system, and 34 km (21 mi) supplies chilled water for the air conditioning system.
[60]
The waste water system uses gravity to discharge water from plumbing fixtures, floor drains,
mechanical equipment and storm water, to the city municipal sewer.[61]
Air conditioning[edit]
The air conditioning has been provided by Voltas. The air conditioning system draws air from the
upper floors where the air is cooler and cleaner than on the ground. [62] At peak cooling times, the
tower's cooling is equivalent to that provided by 13,000 short tons (26,000,000 lb) of melting ice
in one day,[60] or about 46 MW.[clarification needed] Water is collected via a condensate collection system
and is used to irrigate the nearby park.[24]
Window cleaning[edit]
To wash the 24,348 windows, totaling 120,000 m2 (1,290,000 sq ft) of glass, the building has
three horizontal tracks which each hold a 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) bucket machine. Above level 109,
and up to tier 27, traditional cradles from davits are used. The top of the building is cleaned by a
crew who use ropes to descend from the top to gain access. [63][64]Under normal conditions, when
all building maintenance units are operational, it takes 36 workers three to four months to clean
the entire exterior faade.[46][65]
Unmanned machines will clean the top 27 additional tiers and the glass spire. The cleaning
system was developed in Melbourne, Australia at a cost of A$8 million.[65] The contract for building
the state-of-the-art machines was won by Australian company CoxGomyl, a renowned
manufacturer of Building Maintenance Units.[66]

Features[edit]
The Dubai Fountain[edit]

The Dubai Fountain

Main article: The Dubai Fountain
Outside, WET Enterprises designed a fountain system at a cost of Dh 800 million
(US$217 million). Illuminated by 6,600 lights and 50 coloured projectors, it is 270 m (900 ft) long
and shoots water 150 m (500 ft) into the air, accompanied by a range of classical to
contemporary Arabic and world music.[67] On 26 October 2008, Emaar announced that based on
results of a naming contest the fountain would be called the Dubai Fountain. [68]
Observation deck[edit]

View of The Dubai Fountain from the observation deck

View from the observation deck

An outdoor observation deck, named At the Top, opened on 5 January 2010 on the 124th floor.
At 452 m (1,483 ft), it was the highest outdoor observation deck in the world when it opened.
[69]
Although it was surpassed in December 2011 by Cloud Top 488 on the Canton Tower,
Guangzhou at 488 m (1,601 ft),[70] Burj Khalifa opened the 148th floor SKY level at 555 m
(1,821 ft), once again giving it the highest observation deck in the world on 15 October 2014. [28]
[29]
This was until the Shanghai Tower opened in June 2016 with an observation deck at a height
of 561 metres. The 124th floor observation deck also features the electronic telescope,
an augmented reality device developed by Gsmprjct of Montral, which allows visitors to view
the surrounding landscape in real-time, and to view previously saved images such as those
taken at different times of day or under different weather conditions.[71][72][73] To manage the daily
rush of sightseers, visitors are able to purchase tickets in advance for a specific date and time
and at a 75% discount on tickets purchased on the spot. [74]
On 8 February 2010, the observation deck was closed to the public after power-supply problems
caused an elevator to become stuck between floors, trapping a group of tourists for 45 minutes. [75]
[76]
Despite rumours of the observation deck reopening for St. Valentine's Day (14 February),[77] it
remained closed until 4 April 2010.[78][79][80] During low tides and clearness, people can see the
shores of Iran from the top of the skyscraper.[81]
Burj Khalifa park[edit]
Burj Khalifa is surrounded by an 11 ha (27-acre) park designed by landscape architects SWA
Group.[82] Like the tower, the park's design was based on the flower of the Hymenocallis, a desert
plant.[83] At the centre of the park is the water room, which is a series of pools and water jet
fountains. Benches and signs incorporate images of Burj Khalifa and the Hymenocallis flower.[84]
The plants are watered by water collected from the building's cooling system. The system
provides 68,000,000 L (15,000,000 imp gal) annually.[84] WET Enterprises, who also developed
the Dubai Fountain, developed the park's six water features.[85]
Floor plans[edit]
The following is a breakdown of floors.[46][86]

Floors Use

160
Mechanical
163
Communicatio
156
n and
159
broadcast
155 Mechanical
149 Corporate
154 suites
The New
148 Deck observat
ory
139 Corporate
147 suites
136
Mechanical
138
125 Corporate
135 suites
At the
124 Top observator
y
123 Sky lobby
Atmosphere re
122
staurant
111 Corporate
121 suites
109 Dimetric projection with floors colour-coded by function[87]
Mechanical
110
77
Residential
108
76 Sky lobby
7375 Mechanical
4472 Residential
43 Sky lobby
4042 Mechanical
Armani Hotel
3839
suites
1937 Residential
1718 Mechanical
Armani
916
Residences
18 Armani Hotel
Groun
Armani Hotel
d
Conco
Armani Hotel
urse
B1B2 Parking,
mechanical
Construction[edit]

Animation of construction process

Aerial closeup of Burj Khalifa under construction in March 2008

The tower was constructed by Samsung C&T from South Korea, who also did work on
the Petronas Twin Towers and Taipei 101.[88]Samsung C&T built the tower in a joint venture
with Besix from Belgium and Arabtec from UAE. Turner is the Project Manager on the main
construction contract.[89]
Under UAE law, the Contractor and the Engineer of Record, Hyder Consulting (manual structural
analysis professionals which used Flash Analysis authored by Allen Wright), is jointly and
severally liable for the performance of Burj Khalifa.
The primary structure is reinforced concrete. Putzmeister created a new, super high-pressure
trailer concrete pump, the BSA 14000 SHP-D, for this project.[26] Burj Khalifa's construction used
330,000 m3 (431,600 cu yd) of concrete and 55,000 tonnes (61,000 short tons; 54,000 long tons)
of steel rebar, and construction took 22 million man-hours.[14] In May 2008 Putzmeister pumped
concrete with more than 21 MPA ultimate compressive strength of gravel that would surpass the
600 meters weight of the effective area of each column from the foundation to the next fourth
level, and the rest is by metal columns jacketed or covered with concreted to a then world record
delivery height of 606 m (1,988 ft),[26] the 156th floor. Three tower cranes were used during
construction of the uppermost levels, each capable of lifting a 25-tonne load. [90] The remaining
structure above is constructed of lighter steel.
In 2003, 33 test holes were drilled to study the strength of the bedrock underlying the structure.
[91]
"Weak to very weak sandstone and siltstone" was found, just metres below the surface.
Samples were taken from test holes drilled to a depth of 140 metres, finding weak to very weak
rock all the way.[92] The study described the site as part of a "seismically active area".
Over 45,000 m3 (58,900 cu yd) of concrete, weighing more than 110,000 tonnes (120,000 short
tons; 110,000 long tons) were used to construct the concrete and steel foundation, which
features 192 piles; each pile is 1.5 metre diameter x 43 m long, buried more than 50 m (164 ft)
deep.[27]The foundation is designed to support the total building weight of approximately
450,000 tonnes (500,000 short tons; 440,000 long tons). This weight is then divided by the
compressive strength of concrete of which is 30 MPa which yield a 450 sq.meters of vertical
normal effective area which then yield to a 12 meters by 12 meters dimensions. [93] A cathodic
protection system is in place under the concrete to neutralize the groundwater and prevent
corrosion.[46]
The Burj Khalifa is highly compartmentalised. Pressurized, air-conditioned refuge floors are
located approximately every 35 floors where people can shelter on their long walk down to safety
in case of an emergency or fire.[46][94]
Special mixes of concrete are made to withstand the extreme pressures of the massive building
weight; as is typical with reinforced concrete construction, each batch of concrete used was
tested to ensure it could withstand certain pressures. CTLGroup, working for SOM, conducted
the creep and shrinkage testing critical for the structural analysis of the building. [95]
The consistency of the concrete used in the project was essential. It was difficult to create a
concrete that could withstand both the thousands of tonnes bearing down on it and Persian
Gulf temperatures that can reach 50 C (122 F). To combat this problem, the concrete was not
poured during the day. Instead, during the summer months, ice was added to the mixture and it
was poured at night when the air is cooler and the humidity is higher. A cooler concrete mixture
cures evenly throughout and is therefore less likely to set too quickly and crack. Any significant
cracks could have put the entire project in jeopardy.
The unique design and engineering challenges of building Burj Khalifa have been featured in a
number of television documentaries, including the Big, Bigger, Biggest series on the National
Geographic and Five channels, and the Mega Builders series on the Discovery Channel.
Milestones[edit]

Burj Khalifa and skyline of Dubai, 2010

January 2004: Excavation commences.[30]

February 2004: Piling starts.[30]

21 September 2004: Emaar contractors begin construction.[96]

March 2005: Structure of Burj Khalifa starts rising.[30]

June 2006: Level 50 is reached.[30]

February 2007: Surpasses the Sears Tower as the building with the most floors.

13 May 2007: Sets record for vertical concrete pumping on any building at 452 m
(1,483 ft), surpassing the 449.2 m (1,474 ft) to which concrete was pumped during the
construction of Taipei 101, while Burj Khalifa reached the 130th floor.[30][97]
 21 July 2007: Surpasses Taipei 101, whose height of 509.2 m (1,671 ft) made it the
world's tallest building, and level 141 reached.[30][98]

12 August 2007: Surpasses the Sears Tower antenna, which stands 527 m (1,729 ft).

12 September 2007: At 555.3 m (1,822 ft), becomes the world's tallest freestanding
structure, surpassing the CN Tower in Toronto, and level 150 reached.[30][99]

7 April 2008: At 629 m (2,064 ft), surpasses the KVLY-TV Mast to become the tallest
man-made structure, level 160 reached.[30][100]

17 June 2008: Emaar announces that Burj Khalifa's height is over 636 m (2,087 ft) and
that its final height will not be given until it is completed in September 2009. [36]

1 September 2008: Height tops 688 m (2,257 ft), making it the tallest man-made structure
ever built, surpassing the previous record-holder, the Warsaw Radio Mast in Konstantynw,
Poland.[101]

17 January 2009: Topped out at 829.8 m (2,722 ft).[102]

1 October 2009: Emaar announces that the exterior of the building is completed. [103]

4 January 2010: Burj Khalifa's official launch ceremony is held and Burj Khalifa is
opened. Burj Dubai renamed Burj Khalifa in honour of the President of the UAE and ruler of
Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan.[9]

10 March 2010 Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) certifies Burj
Khalifa as world's tallest building.[104]
Real estate values[edit]
In March 2009, Mohamed Ali Alabbar, chairman of the project's developer, Emaar Properties,
said office space pricing at Burj Khalifa reached US$4,000 per sq ft (over US$43,000 per m) and
the Armani Residences, also in Burj Khalifa, sold for US$3,500 per sq ft (over US$37,500 per
m).[105] He estimated the total cost for the project to be about US$1.5 billion.[3]
The project's completion coincided with the global financial crisis of 20072012, and with vast
overbuilding in the country; this led to high vacancies and foreclosures. [106] With Dubai mired in
debt from its huge ambitions, the government was forced to seek multibillion dollar bailouts from
its oil-rich neighbor Abu Dhabi. Subsequently, in a surprise move at its opening ceremony, the
tower was renamed Burj Khalifa, said to honour the UAE President Khalifa bin Zayed Al
Nahyan for his crucial support.[9][107]
Because of the slumping demand in Dubai's property market, the rents in the Burj Khalifa
plummeted 40% some ten months after its opening. Out of 900 apartments in the tower, 825
were still empty at that time.[108][109] However, over the next two and a half years, overseas
investors steadily began to purchase the available apartments and office space in Burj Khalifa.
[110]
By October 2012, Emaar reported that around 80% of the apartments were occupied. [111]
Official launch ceremony[edit]
The ceremony was broadcast live on a giant screen on Burj Park Island and on smaller screens
elsewhere. Hundreds of media outlets from around the world reported live from the scene. [112] In
addition to the media presence, 6,000 guests were expected. [113]
The opening ceremony of Burj Khalifa

The opening of Burj Khalifa was held on 4 January 2010.[114] The ceremony featured a display of
10,000 fireworks, light beams projected on and around the tower, and further sound, light and
water effects.[112] The celebratory lighting was designed by UK lighting designers Speirs and Major
Associates.[115] Using the 868 powerful stroboscope lights that are integrated into the faade and
spire of the tower, different lighting sequences were choreographed, together with more than 50
different combinations of other effects.
A short film about Burj Khalifa and Dubai in general was followed by a fireworks and light show.
[112]
The first part of the show was based on a desert flower theme and included fireworks, lights,
and sounds. The second segment told the story of the tower's construction using 300 projectors
to generate an image of the tower. The final segment used fireworks and lights to illuminate the
tower.[112]

Reception[edit]
Awards[edit]
In June 2010, Burj Khalifa was the recipient of the 2010 "Best Tall Building Middle East & Africa"
award by the CTBUH.[116] On 28 September 2010 Burj Khalifa won the award for best project of
year at the Middle East Architect Awards 2010.[117] CTBUH Awards Chair Gordon Gill, of Adrian
Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture said:
We are talking about a building here that has changed the landscape of what is possible in
architecture a building that became internationally recognized as an icon long before it was even
completed. 'Building of the Century' was thought a more appropriate title for it. [118]

Beside these awards, Burj Khalifa was the recipient of following awards. [119][120]

Year Award

Award of Merit for World Voices Sculpture, Burj Khalifa Lobby from Structural Engineers
2012
Association of Illinois (SEAOI), Chicago.

2011 Interior Architecture Award, Certificate of Merit from AIA Chicago Chapter.

Distinguished Building Award, Citation of Merit from AIA Chicago Chapter.

Interior Architecture Award: Special Recognition from AIA Chicago Chapter.

 Design Excellence Award: Special Function Room.

Excellence in Engineering from ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-
Conditioning Engineers) Illinois Chapter.

Outstanding Structure Award from International Association for Bridge and Structural
Engineering.

Decade of Design, Presidential Commendation in Corporate Space Small from International

Interior Design Association (IIDA).

Decade of Design Best of Category/Mixed Use Buildings from International Interior Design
Association (IIDA).

GCC Technical Building Project of the Year from MEED (formerly Middle East Economic
Digest).

Project of the Year from MEED.

2010 International Architecture Award.

Arab Achievement Award 2010: Best Architecture Project from Arab Investment Summit.

Architecture Award (Mixed Use) Dubai from Arabian Property Awards.

Architecture Award (Mixed Use) Arabian Region from Arabian Property Awards.

International Architecture Award from Chicago Athenaeum.

American Architecture Award from Chicago Athenaeum.

Commercial / Mixed Use Built from Cityscape.

 Best Mixed Use Built Development in Cityscape Abu Dhabi.

Skyscraper Award: Silver Medal from Emporis.

Award for Commercial or Retail Structure from Institution of Structural Engineers.

International Architecture Award (Mixed Use) from International Commercial Property Awards.

Special Recognition for Technological Advancement from International Highrise Awards.

Best Structural Design of the Year from LEAF Award.

International Projects Category: Outstanding Project from National Council of Structural

Engineers Associations.

Best of What's New from Popular Science Magazine.

Spark Awards, Silver Award.

Excellence in Structural Engineering: Most Innovative Structure from SEAOI.

BASE jumping[edit]
The building has been used by several experienced BASE jumpers for both authorised and
unauthorised BASE jumping:

In May 2008, Herv Le Gallou and David McDonnell, dressed as engineers, illegally
infiltrated Burj Khalifa (around 650 m at the time), and jumped off a balcony situated a couple
of floors below the 160th floor.[121][122]

On 8 January 2010, with permission of the authorities, Nasr Al Niyadi and Omar Al
Hegelan, from the Emirates Aviation Society, broke the world record for the highest BASE
jump from a building after they leapt from a crane-suspended platform attached to the 160th
floor at 672 m (2,205 ft). The two men descended the vertical drop at a speed of up to
220 km/h (140 mph), with enough time to open their parachutes 10 seconds into the 90-
second jump.[123][124]

On 21 April 2014, with permission of the authorities and support from several sponsors,
highly experienced French BASE jumpers Vince Reffet and Fred Fugen broke the Guinness
world record for the highest BASE jump from a building after they leapt from a specially
designed platform, built at the very top of the pinnacle, at 828 metres (2,717 ft).[125][126][127]
Climbing[edit]
On 28 March 2011, Alain "Spiderman" Robert scaled the outside of Burj Khalifa. The climb to the
top of the spire took six hours. To comply with UAE safety laws, Robert, who usually climbs
in free solo style, used a rope and harness for the climb.[128]
Fatalities[edit]
Within 17 months of the building's official opening, a man described as "an Asian in his mid-30s"
who worked at one of the companies in the tower, died by suicide on 10 May 2011 by jumping
from the 147th floor. He fell 39 floors, landing on a deck on the 108th floor. Dubai police
confirmed the act as a suicide, reporting that "[they] also came to know that the man decided to
commit suicide as his company refused to grant leave." [129]
The Daily Mail reported that on 16 November 2014, Laura Vanessa Nunes, a Portuguese
national who was in Dubai on a tourist visa, fell to her death from Burj Khalifa's "At the Top"
observation deck on the 148th floor.[130] However, on 18 May 2015, Dubai police disputed the
report made by the Daily Mail on this incident and said that this incident took place in Jumeirah
Lakes Towers.[131]
Ramadan observance on the higher floors[edit]
At the higher floors of the Burj, people can still see the sun for a couple of minutes after it has set
on the ground. This has led Dubai clerics to rule that those living above the 80th floor should wait
2 additional minutes to break their Ramadan fast, and those living above the 150th floor, 3
minutes.[132]

In popular culture[edit]
Some scenes of the 2011 American film Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol were shot
on and in the Burj Khalifa, where Tom Cruise, portraying the character of Ethan Hunt,
performed many of the stunts himself.[133]

An alternate version of the Burj Khalifa appears in the 2012 Video Game Spec Ops: The
Line.

A building that resembles the Burj Khalifa was featured in an episode of the American
animated comedy series The Simpsons entitled "YOLO", which aired on 10 November 2013.
The building is known to be the tallest building in Springfield, a fictional American town which
is the show's setting.[134][135]

In the 2016 American film Independence Day: Resurgence, the Burj Khalifa was seen
where it along with many other structures is being thrown into London by the aliens using
their mothership's anti-gravity pull.[136]

Various other Western, Indian and Pakistani movies/ shows have been filmed, including
the Amazing Race.

This building can also be seen in one of the Dubai tracks in the Wii version of Need for
Speed: Nitro.

Fireworks displays[edit]
20102011: Fireworks accompanied by lasers and lights were displayed from the Burj
Khalifa, making it the highest New Year's Eve fireworks display in the world. [32] The theme of
the 2011 New Year fireworks was the "New Year Gala", a tribute to the spirit of Dubai, which
 is home to over 200 nationalities. The display also marked the first anniversary of Burj
Khalifa.[137]

20122013: The fireworks display on the Burj Khalifa in a blaze of light and colour
engulfed the tower, synchronised and choreographed to a live performance by the Prague
Philharmonic Orchestra. A window table for the New Year event was also arranged on the
122nd floor of the building at Atmosphere restaurant, at cost of Dh16,000 (US$4,300) per
person.[138]

On 27 November 2013, the Burj Khalifa was illuminated with lights and a fireworks
display following announcement of Dubai as the winning city to host the World Expo 2020.[139]

20132014: The Burj Khalifa and surrounding areas were the site of a record-breaking
fireworks display as part of the UAE's New Year's Eve celebrations, with a reported 400,000
fireworks being set off continuously for six minutes.[140][141]

20142015: The Burj Khalifa was illuminated by a 828 m (2,717 ft) custom build LED
facade which was installed on the building where light shows were displayed followed by the
fireworks.[142][143][144]

Labour controversy[edit]
Further information: Human rights in the United Arab Emirates
The Burj Khalifa was built primarily by workers from South Asia and East Asia. [145][146] This is
generally because the current generation of UAE locals prefer governmental jobs and do not
have a good attitude towards private sector employment.[147][148] On 17 June 2008, there were
7,500 skilled workers employed at the construction site. [36] Press reports indicated in 2006 that
skilled carpenters at the site earned 4.34 a day, and labourers earned 2.84.[145] According to a
BBC investigation and a Human Rights Watch (HRW) report, the workers were housed in
abysmal conditions, and worked long hours for low pay.[149][150][151] During the construction of Burj
Khalifa, only one construction-related death was reported. [152] However, workplace injuries and
fatalities in the UAE are "poorly documented", according to HRW.[149]
On 21 March 2006, about 2,500 workers, who were upset over buses that were delayed for the
end of their shifts, protested and triggered a riot, damaging cars, offices, computers and
construction equipment.[145] A Dubai Interior Ministry official said the rioters caused almost
500,000 in damage.[145] Most of the workers involved in the riot returned the following day but
refused to work.[145]

See also[edit]
List of buildings in Dubai

List of buildings with 100 floors or more

List of development projects in Dubai

List of tallest buildings and structures in the world

List of tallest freestanding structures in the world

List of tallest buildings in Dubai

List of tallest buildings in the United Arab Emirates

 List of tallest buildings in the world

List of tallest structures in the world

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External links[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has
media related to:

Burj Khalifa (category)

Official website

Building the Burj Khalifa

360 degree view from the world's tallest building in Dubai by the Daily Telegraph

World's Tallest Building (By Far) slideshow by Life magazine

"The Burj Dubai Tower Wind Engineering" (PDF). (597 KB) (Structure magazine, June
2006)

"The Wind Engineering of the Burj Dubai Tower" (PDF). (620 KB) (Irwin et al., November
2006)

Wind and Other Studies performed by RWDI

BBC reports: Burj Khalifa opening, with video and links; Maintaining the world's tallest
building

World's Tallest Tower Opens slideshow by The First Post

A 45 Gigapixel zoom and pannable photo from Gigapan

4K video, JetMen flying around Khalifa with Yves Rossy and Vince Reffet

3D View of Burj Khalifa