Explore the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building

Construction of the Burj Khalifa - how was the world's tallest building built?

The Burj Khalifa is not only the tallest building in Dubai, but also the tallest skyscraper in the world. This skyscraper is a true symbol of Dubai, a skyscraper of the future and a statement of the city’s wealth and modernity. The Burj Khalifa has broken many records: the record for the tallest building, the record for the tallest lifts, the tallest residential building and has enthralled the world with its architectural design. The Burj Khalifa is probably the most famous building in the world, and certainly currently the most recognisable. The view from the top floors and observation deck is one of the city’s biggest tourist attractions, and the daily Dubai fountain show at the foot of the Burj Khalifa gathers tens of thousands of people every evening. The creation of the skyscraper was proof of the UAE’s capabilities and potential on the international stage. With the construction of the world’s tallest skyscraper, Dubai has shown itself to the world as a business centre and a place with enormous tourism potential. The story of the Burj Khalifa and the construction of the skyscraper is passionate and full of twists and turns. How was the world’s tallest building built?

Construction of the Burj Khalifa began on 6 January 2004. The skyscraper was designed by architects from the renowned Skidmore Owings Merrill (SOM) studio, known for their expertise in the design process of tall buildings. The design team was led by Adrian Smith. The design process addressed significant structural engineering challenges, including strategies to reduce wind forces and ensure the building's stability and safety. The construction process was highly complex, involving detailed planning from the earliest stages, with the project manager playing a crucial role in coordinating activities and managing contractors. The choice of architectural team was no accident. Skidmore Owings Merrill (SOM) designed the famous Sears Tower in Chicago, which for many years was the tallest building in the world. The UAE authorities understood that the country was playing an increasingly important role on the international stage. The country wanted to raise its prestige and show the world that they were capable of bringing it to its knees and delighting people. Therefore, in the future, the skyscraper in Dubai was to be the tallest in the world.

It is not the world's tallest freestanding structure, but it is the tallest freestanding building in the world. The primary structure of the Burj Dubai Tower consists of a reinforced concrete core and extensive use of structural steel, especially in the upper sections and the finishing spire. The concrete core provides essential support for the building's extreme height, while the structural steel framework ensures stability at the top. Setbacks occur as part of the architectural design, creating a tiered form that reduces the building's mass as it rises and improves its resistance to wind forces and overall stability. When the structure was completed, it marked a major milestone in the construction timeline, showcasing the engineering achievement before the building's official opening.

The architecture of the Burj Khalifa

What does the structural engineering and architecture of the building look like? The architecture of the Burj Khalifa is a unique combination of styles. The appearance of the building was inspired by the Spiral Minaret, the famous clay mosque in the city of Samarra in Iraq. The architects also drew inspiration from the desert flowers that grow in the vast sands of the Middle East, particularly the hymenocallis, or Hymenocallis, flower. Traditional Islamic art and design, especially motifs and patterns from Islamic architecture, is an obvious inspiration for the skyscraper’s final form. The building features a Y-shaped floor plan, which is designed to maximize views of the Persian Gulf and provide optimal sightlines and spatial efficiency. The tower rises from a flat desert base, and as it ascends, setbacks occur in an upward spiraling pattern, reducing mass and creating visual interest while emphasizing the building's height. The Burj Khalifa is a reinforced concrete structure, anchored by 200 large and 650 small concrete piles. The central core, which houses the elevator shafts and stairwells, is the main structural element supporting the building's height, and the central core emerges as a defining feature at the top of the skyscraper. The exterior cladding consists of a high-performance curtain wall system made of glass, aluminum mullions, and stainless steel panels, providing thermal insulation, weather resistance, and aesthetic appeal, which is essential for protection against the extreme desert climate and strong winds of Dubai, especially considering the building's orientation toward the Persian Gulf.

The Burj Khalifa was completed on 1 October 2009. It took several months between the completion of the skyscraper and its opening. The official opening of the Burj Khalifa took place on 4 January 2010. The building was originally to be called Burj Dubai, but the name was changed before the opening in honour of the ruler of Abu Dhabi and President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. These are the key stories associated with the Burj Khalifa and the creation of the world’s tallest skyscraper.

Parameters of the Burj Khalifa skyscraper - height, number of floors

A visit to Dubai cannot be complete without a visit to the Burj Khalifa. Before your holiday in Dubai, it is worth knowing the most important parameters of the tallest skyscraper in the world:

• 828 metres high
• 163 floors above ground
• 2 underground floors
• The tallest restaurant in the world - At mosphere on the 122nd floor (442 metres)
• Built with 35,000 tonnes of steel
• Total residents and workers: between 25,000 and 35,000 people
• 57 lifts, each the longest in the world
• Total floor area: 330,000 square metres
• The outer facade of the building is covered with 26,000 hand-cut glass panels

What is inside the Burj Khalifa?

The Burj Khalifa is a mixed use development that integrates residential, commercial, hospitality, and recreational spaces, making it a vibrant and multifunctional landmark in Dubai. The construction of the Burj Khalifa was evidence of Dubai’s emergence as a global financial centre and an important travel destination. Tourism in Dubai has grown at an incredible rate since the commissioning of the Burj Khalifa and has changed the city beyond recognition. The skyscrapers that Dubai is so famous for today began to appear in the Downtown or Dubai Marina districts. However, tourists are still most curious about the Burj Khalifa. One of the most frequently asked questions is: what is inside the Burj Khalifa? Is the Burj Khalifa a hotel, residential or office building?

The two underground floors contain car parks and mechanical rooms. On the ground floor is the lobby of the Armani Hotel. From the 1st to the 8th floor, the Armani Hotel has its headquarters and features luxurious hotel rooms. On floors 9 to 16 are the Armani residences. Floors 17 to 18 house the mechanical and technical rooms. Floors 19 to 37 are private flats. Floors 38 and 39 are Armani’s flats. The 40th to 42nd floors are technical rooms. The 43rd floor is the residential lobby. From the 44th to 74th floors are private flats and flats. On floors 73 to 75 are the technical buildings, on 76 again the residential lobby. Private flats are located from the 77th to the 108th floor. On floors 109 to 110 are the technical rooms. Floors 111 to 121 are office space, including corporate suites that attract business tenants seeking premium executive areas. Floor 122 is the restaurant At. mosphere. Floor 123 is the lobby. The 124th and 125th floors have an observation deck. From the 126th to 135th floor, corporate spaces and offices climb upwards. The rooms from floor 136 to 138 are technical rooms. Floors 139 to 147 are offices. The 148th floor has an observation deck. Floors 149 to 151 are offices, and the VIP viewing terrace stretches from floors 152 to 154. The 155th floor is the technical rooms. From the 156th to 159th floors are the transmission and communication rooms, and from the 160th to 163rd floors, the top floors are all technical rooms.

The Burj Khalifa holds the record for having the most floors of any building in the world, showcasing its record-breaking vertical structure. Its advanced air conditioning system draws in cooler, cleaner air from the upper floors, ensuring efficient cooling and high air quality throughout the tower.

What attractions are located in the Burj Khalifa? The observation decks

The Burj Khalifa is not just the world’s tallest skyscraper. Located in Downtown Dubai, part of Dubai's main business district, it stands at the heart of a vibrant urban habitat that seamlessly integrates living, working, and leisure spaces. The building is full of tourist attractions that are accessible to visitors and provide an unforgettable experience. How to visit Burj Khalifa attractions is by visiting all the highlights of the building. What to see at the Burj Khalifa?

• Burj Khalifa the 124&125th floor observation deck - this is the primary observation deck at the Burj Khalifa, with beautiful views of the Dubai skyline from the 124th and 125th floors of the skyscraper. One of the must-see spots to visit during your Dubai holiday.
• Burj Khalifa the 148th floor observation deck - a higher observation deck in the Burj Khalifa, presenting even better views. The ticket price includes refreshments. The views from the 148th floor of the world’s tallest building will hold your breath.
• Burj Khalifa VIP 154th floor observation deck - the highest and most luxurious observation deck on the Burj Khalifa. This is an exclusive VIP experience 585 metres above the ground with food and drinks included.
• Restaurant at.mosphere - the highest restaurant in the world. It is located on the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa. Chefs serve cuisine from around the world at the At. mosphere restaurant, where chefs serve cuisine from around the world.
• Dubai Mall - on the ground floor of the Burj Khalifa skyscraper is The Dubai Mall, the largest shopping mall in the world.
• Dubai Fountains - at the foot of the Burj Khalifa, next to Dubai Mall are the artificial Burj Lakes and the famous Dubai Fountains, whose daily evening light and music shows attract crowds of tourists and locals. These spectacular water features were developed by WET Enterprises and are a highlight of the park's landscape design.

The Burj Khalifa is also famous for its annual New Year's Eve celebrations, which feature breathtaking fireworks and light shows that attract tourists from all over the world. An interesting fact is that the building is equipped with the world's fastest lifts, travelling at a record speed of 10 metres per second, which is proof of the state-of-the-art engineering and technological innovation used in the Burj Khalifa.

How to get to the Burj Khalifa?

The Burj Khalifa is a must-see when on holiday in Dubai. Where is the Burj Khalifa located? The building is located in the city centre, in the Downtown district. Tourists can drive up to one of the observation decks or admire the skyscraper from Dubai Mall. How do I get to the Burj Khalifa? You can reach the Burj Khalifa by the following modes of transport:

• By metro - you can get to the Burj Khalifa via the Metro Red Line, getting off at the Burj Khalifa/The Dubai Mall stop.
• By bus - you can reach the Burj Khalifa by the following buses: F13 (around Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall), 27 (from Gold Souq Bus Stn), 28 (from Lamcy Plaza), 29 (from Ghubaiba Bus Station), 50 (from Business Bay to International City), X22 (from Al Qusais Ind'L Area to Business Bay).
• By taxi - you can get to the Burj Khalifa by one of Dubai's thousands of official taxis by ordering directly from the street or via the Careem app. The price of the ride will vary depending on where you go.

Burj Khalifa interesting facts about the world's tallest building

In a building like the Burj Khalifa, tourist attractions are not everything. Legendary buildings are alive with stories and curiosities, of which there is no shortage about the Burj Khalifa. How far away can you spot the world’s tallest skyscraper? How long does it take to clean the windows in the Burj Khalifa? Let’s read the best trivia about the Burj Khalifa:

• In perfect visibility, the Burj Khalifa skyscraper can be seen from as far away as around 90 kilometres.
• The temperature difference from the ground floor to the last 163 floors of the building can be as much as 5°C.
• The Burj Khalifa has 57 lifts, 2,909 stairs and around 17,000 doors.
• The Burj Khalifa can consume as much energy per day as a small-sized city (up to 20,000 inhabitants).
• It takes up to three months for a 34-person crew to clean the windows at the Burj Khalifa. Specialized building maintenance units (BMUs) are used to access and clean the façade and glass surfaces of the tower.
• The Burj Khalifa features an extensive art program, integrating artworks by both local and international artists throughout the building to enhance its cultural significance.
• In the residential lobby, visitors can experience the "World Voices" art installation by Jaume Plensa, a large-scale piece made of handcrafted cymbals that creates a unique ambient soundscape.
• The Burj Khalifa is often compared to other famous towers, such as the Empire State Building, highlighting its record-breaking height and status among the world’s iconic skyscrapers.
• The Burj Khalifa, originally known as the Burj Dubai tower, is the centerpiece of a larger development complex that includes luxury residences, commercial spaces, and entertainment venues, making it a landmark of modernity and luxury in Dubai.
• The top floors of the Burj Khalifa are not very practical and have a prestige rather than utilitarian status.

Tickets for Burj Khalifa

On holiday in Dubai, you must see the tallest building in the world. You can admire the Burj Khalifa from below, or go inside the 828-metre skyscraper and view Dubai from above. There are three observation decks for tourists to choose from: on the 124&125th floor, the 148th floor and The Lounge VIP on floors 152 to 154. The observation deck on the 124&125th floor is the cheapest and basic viewpoint, available from AED 176. On the 148th floor, you'll get refreshments in the SKY area and enjoy Dubai and its skyline from an incredible height from 395 AED. The 154th floor is a different experience, available from 759 AED. This is a VIP vantage point 585 metres above the ground. During such an exclusive tour, you will see Dubai from the clouds and treat yourself to a wide selection of the finest teas and coffees, beverages or a glass of champagne accompanied by exquisite snacks. You can find all Burj Khalifa tickets at Two Continets, which offers the cheapest tickets to the world's tallest skyscraper.

Questions and answers (FAQ)

• What are the opening hours of the Burj Khalifa?

The observation decks at the Burj Khalifa are open: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday to Sunday from 5 a.m. to midnight, with the last entry possible 45 minutes before the observation decks close. Peak hours, the period most heavily trafficked by tourists, are from 15:00 to 19:00 daily.

• What are the ticket prices for the Burj Khalifa?

Ticket prices for the Burj Khalifa start from AED 176 for the observation deck on the 124&125 floors. Entry to the observation deck on the 148th floor costs from AED 395, and a trip to the VIP box on the 154th floor of the Burj Khalifa costs from AED 759, including refreshments of unique and luxurious products.

• Is it worth the trip to the Burj Khalifa observation deck?

The tallest building in the world is only one and visiting it on a tour is a unique experience. The view from the Burj Khalifa of Dubai's skyline is forever memorable for tourists. For phenomenal views of the city from the clouds, it's worth a trip to one of the three Burj Khalifa observation decks.

• When did construction of the Burj Khalifa begin?

Construction of the Burj Khalifa began in January 2004. This ambitious project aimed to create the world's tallest skyscraper and was officially completed in 2010. The construction process took a little over six years to finish.