Burj Khalifa Hotel: The Iconic World’s Tallest Building

The Burj Khalifa  known as the Burj Dubai prior to its inauguration in 2010, is a skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. With a total height of 829.8 m (2,722 feet, just over half a mile) and a roof height (excluding antenna, but such as a 244 m spire that nestles from its top) of 828 m (2,717 feet ). There can never be a mention of top 10 high rise buildings without a mention of Burj Khalifa.

burj khalifa

The Burj Khalifa hotel has been the tallest structure and building in the world since its topping out in 2009 (preceded by Taipei 101). The construction of the Burj Khalifa began in 2004, with the exterior finished five years later in 2009. The principal structure is a 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 to make Dubai one of the exclusive business, holiday and tourists destinations around the world.

This video below explains the Burj Khalifa Project

The decision to construct the building was informed by the Dubai government’s decision to diversify from an oil-based economy, and for Dubai to obtain international recognition. The building was originally named Burj Dubai but was renamed in honour of the ruler of Abu Dhabi and president of the United Arab Emirates, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi Emirate.  This is in honor and recognition of Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan led Abu Dhabi generosity in lending money to Dubai, UAE government money to pay its debts.

Following the decision of the then visionary leader of Dubai Emirate province, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, mohammed bin rashid al maktoum

to look elsewhere after geologists predicted that the limited oil deposit in Dubai would dry up before 2016. He responded by looking inwards because he did not want to turn to richer countries for alms and economic sustainability. He then decided to use part of the petrol Dolla proceeds in executing crucial mega infrastructural developments such as the world’s most luxurious hotel, the Burj Al Arab, Burj Khalifa, world class airports, seaports, hospitals. Ever since this visionary leader took the bold step aimed at staring Dubai out of impending economic turbulence when the oil well  dries up, Dubai is now skyscraper studded, and has concentrated on a wide range of development and construction plans designed to promote tourism, transport, and industry which now sustains the economy years after the crude oil wells dried up.

Dubai is blessed with three natural assets: Sun, Sea, and Sand. The tourism industry in Dubai is geared towards making the most out of these three assets. The tourism infrastructures are aesthetically designed such that tourist can enjoy these three natural assets. Many tourists on vacation to Dubai have an array of facilities that offer them unique experience if the choose to enjoy the sunshine during sunbathing. The sea provide the ability to throw parties on the beach side, and even rent yachts to sail while on a yacht party with some Dubai Porta potties.  There are equally facilities where tourists can enjoy the abundant sand, particularly during a beach sand soccer, etc.

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Upon its completion, the Burj Khalifa Hotel building broke numerous height records, including its huge tourists potentials and designation as the tallest building in the world. Burj Khalifa was designed by Adrian Smith, of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, whose firm designed the Willis Tower and One World Trade Center. Hyder Consulting was selected to be the supervising engineer with NORR Group Consultants International Limited selected to supervise the architecture of this project.

Furthermore, 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 room. A buttressed central core and wings are utilised to support the elevation of the building. Although this design was adopted from Tower Palace III, the Burj Khalifa’s central center homes all vertical transport with the exception of egress stairs within each of the wings.

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The structure also offers a cladding system which is designed to withstand Dubai’s hot summer temperatures. It comprises a total of 57 elevators and 8 escalators. At a particular stage in the architectural and engineering process, the original Emaar programmers experienced financial problems, and required more money and financial funding. Sheikh Khalifa, the ruler of the United Arab Emirates, granted monetary aid and financing, hence resulting in the changing of the name to Burj Khalifa’.

The concept of profitability derived from creating high density developments and malls around the landmark have proven effective. Its surrounding malls, hotels and condos in Downtown Dubai have generated the most revenue from the project as a whole, while the Burj Khalifa itself made little or no profit.Critical reception to Burj Khalifa has been generally positive, and the building has received many awards. However, there were numerous complaints regarding migrant workers from South Asia who were the key building labor force. These centered on low wages and the practice of confiscating passports until duties were complete. Several suicides were reported.

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