Burj Khalifa is world’s tallest

The world’s tallest building was unveiled recently in Dubai, to an estimated crowd of more than 400,000, in a crescendo of fireworks, lasers and fountain displays.

The official height of the tower, called Burj Khalifa, was announced as 828 metres (2,716.5 ft).

Developed by Emaar Properties, it’s the world’s tallest building according to the three criteria of the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat: “Height to Architectural Top”, “Height To Highest Occupied Floor”, and “Height To Tip”.

The tower is 320 metres taller than Taiwan’s Taipei 101, which had held the title of world’s tallest building since 2004.

Mohamed Alabbar, chairman of Emaar Properties, says the tower represents a symbol of hope to the Arab world and a shining example of human achievement.

“Thousands of people from more than 100 countries have contributed to the realization of Burj Khalifa. The tower embodies the spirit and optimism of global collaboration, and shows to the world what can be achieved when communities work in partnership,” he says.

The building includes luxury residences and offices, the world’s first Armani Hotel, and the world’s highest observation deck, which is on the tower’s 124th floor. About 90 per cent of the tower’s offices and apartments have been sold, say the developers.

Occupancy begins in February, and the Armani Hotel Dubai is scheduled to be opened by its designer, Giorgio Armani, on March 18.

More than 60 consultants including South Korea’s Samsung Corporation and New York-based Turner Construction International worked on the design for Burj Khalifa by Chicago-based Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM).