Burj Khalifa, formerly called Burj Dubai, was formally inaugurated by His Highness, Sheikh Mohammad of Dubai on the of 4th of January, 2010. The Burj became the tallest building in the world officially in 2007 when it passed the height of Taipei 101 in Taiwan. Taipei 101 was the world's tallest structure prior to the Burj, however at 828m (2,717 ft), the Burj far surpases any other skyscraper, including the Empire State, the World Trade Center (former), Malaysia's Petronas Towers and the Sears Tower in Chicago.
In addition to being the tallest building, Burj Khalifa is also the tallest structure ever to be made by man. It has wrested this honour from the Warsaw radio mast which has a height of 646m or 2,121ft. The Burj is a unique skyscraper, one of the most expensive ever to be built. It's developer, Emaar, has spent over US$1.5BN on construction. However, this investment will soon be recovered since the Burj is home to the world's first and only Armani Residences which are being sold at over USD$3,500 per square foot!
The skyscraper is surrounded by a beautiful man made park spread over 11 hectares, or 1.2 million sq ft. This will include water features, shrubbery, desert flowers, benches and a view of the beautiful Dubai Fountain.
The people of the Middle East, and particularly the United Arab Emirates, are incredibly proud of this new wonder of the world since it returns the location of the world's tallest man made structure to the Middle East. FOr over 4,000 years this was the Great Pyramid of Giza until its height was surpassed by the Lincoln Cathedral in England, in 1311. Many posters and flyers marketing the Burj Khalifa have invoked imagery of the Great Pyramids implying that the Middle East is regaining its ascendancy in engineering, science and prosperity.
The Burj sets many records and many "firsts". A brief list is given below:
* Tallest skyscraper to top of spire: 828 m (2,717 ft)
* Tallest structure ever built: 828 m (2,717 ft)
* Tallest extant structure: 828 m (2,717 ft)
* Tallest freestanding structure: 828 m (2,717 ft)
* Building with most floors: 160
* World's fastest elevators at speed of 64 km/h (40 mph) or 18 m/s (59 ft/s)
* Highest vertical concrete pumping (for a building): 606 m (1,988 ft)
* Highest vertical concrete pumping (for any construction): 606 m (1,988 ft)
* The first world's tallest structure in history to include residential space
* Highest outdoor observation deck in the world (124th floor) at 442 m (1,450 ft)
* World's highest mosque (located on the 158th floor)
* World's highest installation of an aluminium and glass facade, at a height of 512 m (1,680 ft)
* World's highest swimming pool (76th floor)
Burj Khalifa Top Pictures In 2010 You On Here » Burj Khalifa Top Pictures In 2010
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