10 Incredible Facts About the Burj Khalifa
The Burj Khalifa is the world's tallest building, a global icon that stands at a staggering 828 metres (2,717 feet) high. This megatall skyscraper, located in the heart of Downtown Dubai, is not just a marvel of modern engineering but also a holder of numerous world records. From its ambitious construction to its unique design, the tower is filled with fascinating details that highlight its incredible scale and innovation.
1. It is the tallest building in the world
Since its completion in 2009, the Burj Khalifa has held the title of the world's tallest building. At 828 metres (2,717 feet), it is more than twice the height of the Empire State Building and nearly three times as tall as the Eiffel Tower. Its total height of 829.8 metres (2,722 feet) to the very tip makes it the tallest structure ever built by humans.
2. It holds multiple world records
Beyond being the tallest, the Burj Khalifa holds several other Guinness World Records. These accolades are a testament to its groundbreaking design and construction.
- Building with the most floors: 163.
- World's highest elevator installation: The service elevator rises 504 metres (1,654 feet).
- World's highest outdoor observation deck: 'At the Top Sky' on the 148th floor stood at 555 metres (1,821 feet) upon opening.
- World's highest restaurant: At.mosphere on level 122 is situated at 442 metres (1,450 feet).
- Tallest man-made structure on land ever: It surpassed the previous record-holder, the Warsaw radio mast.
3. The design is inspired by a flower
The tower's unique Y-shaped, triple-lobed footprint was inspired by the Hymenocallis, or Spider Lily, a regional desert flower. This design, conceived by architect Adrian Smith of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, is not just for aesthetics; the spiralling setbacks reduce the building's mass as it rises, which helps to minimise the effect of wind forces.
4. It took 22 million man-hours to build
The construction of the Burj Khalifa was a monumental task. Excavation began in January 2004, and the building officially opened six years later on January 4, 2010. At the peak of construction, over 12,000 workers were on-site daily, accumulating a total of 22 million man-hours to complete the project.
5. The amount of concrete used is staggering
A massive amount of material was required to build the skyscraper. The construction used 330,000 cubic metres (431,600 cubic yards) of concrete and 55,000 tonnes of steel rebar. The weight of the concrete alone is equivalent to that of 100,000 elephants. A special high-strength concrete mix was developed to withstand the immense pressure of the building's weight and Dubai's extreme summer heat.
6. Its original name was Burj Dubai
Throughout its construction, the tower was known as Burj Dubai, which translates to "Dubai Tower". It was renamed Burj Khalifa at its inauguration ceremony. The change was made to honour Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the then-president of the UAE and ruler of Abu Dhabi, who provided crucial financial support to Dubai during a financial crisis.
7. The tip can be seen from 95 km away
On a clear day, the spire of the Burj Khalifa is so high that it can be seen from up to 95 kilometres (60 miles) away. This means you could potentially see the top of the tower from the neighbouring emirates of Abu Dhabi or Fujairah, depending on atmospheric conditions.
8. It has one of the world's fastest elevators
To transport visitors and residents up its 163 floors, the Burj Khalifa is equipped with 57 elevators. The main double-deck observatory elevators travel at a blistering speed of 10 metres per second (36 km/h or 22 mph), reaching the 124th-floor observation deck in about one minute.
9. Sustainability was a key consideration
The building incorporates several clever sustainability features. The exterior cladding is made of a reflective glazing designed to withstand Dubai's hot summers. Furthermore, the building's condensation collection system gathers moisture from the air conditioning system. This system provides about 15 million gallons of water per year, which is used for irrigating the surrounding parkland.
10. It starred in a 'Mission: Impossible' film
The Burj Khalifa had a famous Hollywood moment in the 2011 film Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol. Actor Tom Cruise famously performed his own stunts, scaling the exterior of the gleaming tower in one of the movie's most memorable sequences.
Frequently asked questions
How much did it cost to build the Burj Khalifa?
The total construction cost for the Burj Khalifa tower itself was approximately US$1.5 billion. The tower was the centrepiece of the much larger Downtown Dubai development.
Who designed the Burj Khalifa?
The Burj Khalifa was designed by the American architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), with Adrian Smith serving as the chief architect. The firm is also famous for designing the Willis Tower in Chicago.
How many floors does the Burj Khalifa have?
The Burj Khalifa has 163 floors, which is a world record for the most floors in a building. This includes residential apartments, office spaces, the Armani Hotel, and multiple observation decks.
Ready to witness these incredible feats for yourself? You can book tickets to visit the observation decks and experience the breathtaking views from the top of the world.