Did you know that on the 76th floor of the Burj Khalifa, there is an exclusive pool, and each of the panels used to finish its facade was cut by hand? However, these are not the only secrets of this skyscraper. Let’s check what else the tallest building in the world can surprise us with.
Burj Khalifa, located in Dubai, has been stirring up strong emotions among visitors to the United Arab Emirates since its inauguration. Construction work began in 2004. At the time, the building was supposed to be named Burj Dubai, meaning simply “The Tower of Dubai.” The skyscraper’s construction was overseen by the American architectural firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, widely known as SOM. Interestingly, this same company worked on the Willis Tower project in Chicago and the Rondo 1 building, located at the ONZ roundabout in Warsaw. The skyscraper’s construction was completed 6 years later (in 2010), and it was eventually named Burj Khalifa to commemorate Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the former president of the United Arab Emirates.
Today, Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world. In short, that’s probably how most of you would describe it. However, there are many lesser-known aspects of this building that you should definitely know.
Burj Khalifa – Visions and Inspirations
The design of the world’s tallest tower was intended to be a kind of declaration of the capabilities and determination of the United Arab Emirates. But that’s not all. It was also meant to symbolize progress and the new, dynamic, and prosperous era of the Middle East. And it’s hard to deny – with the construction of the skyscraper in the early 21st century, the city quickly began transforming from a regional center into a global hub of progress.
What inspired the creators to choose such a unique form for the building? The structure of Burj Khalifa is inspired by the form of a desert flower from the genus Hymenocallis, known to biologists. The chief architect noted that the three sections clustered around a central core were designed to mimic the petals of the flower, while the tower’s soaring height represents its delicate appearance.
This shape, in addition to its aesthetic advantages, helps reduce the wind forces acting on the tower and facilitates the ease of construction. The Y-shaped floor plan maximizes the views of the entire bay. The local flower can be seen not only in the form of the building’s structure but also as decorative elements found throughout various parts of the Burj Khalifa. Inside, it’s easy to spot ornaments that strongly reference Islamic architecture.
The Construction of the World’s Tallest Tower
The tallest skyscraper in the world is anchored to the ground by a special foundation that allows access to the building from three different sides. Surprisingly, each of these entrances leads to three different levels of the building.
For the exterior facade, a total of 26,000 glass panels were used. Here’s the surprising part—each of these panels was individually cut by hand, with over 300 specialists from China brought in for the task. The construction is enhanced by textured panels and vertical ribs made of stainless steel. At the very top, the central core of the building transitions into a spire, whose tip sways by up to 1.5 meters under the influence of the wind. It’s hard to believe considering that the building’s design took into account not only its towering height but also the pressure of the winds coming off the Persian Gulf.
FUN FACT: The lower part of the skyscraper, up to the 154th floor, is built on a reinforced concrete structure, while the upper levels are constructed with a lightweight steel frame. The reason? The main investor admitted that this design was intended to allow for the quick addition of extra floors to outdo potential competitors for the title of the world’s tallest building, should any appear on the horizon during construction.
Fascinating Facts in Numbers
To truly grasp the scale of this building, a few intriguing statistics about this remarkable structure might help. Burj Khalifa boasts a total of 206 floors, though only 163 of them are functional, occupied levels. If you decide to climb to the highest occupied floor without using one of the 57 elevators, you’d have to ascend a staggering 2,909 steps.
According to calculations, the entire facade of Burj Khalifa covers an area equivalent to 17 soccer fields or 25 American football fields. Imagine that washing the entire exterior surface takes a team of specialists around 3 to 4 months to complete—it sounds like a never-ending task! Beneath the visible layer of glass panels lies cement weighing as much as 100,000 elephants!
Records of Burj Khalifa
The world is well aware that the Burj Khalifa, towering over 828 meters, holds the title of the tallest building in the world. However, this incredible structure has broken numerous other records as well. It holds the record for having the most floors, the highest occupied floor, and—much to the delight of view-seekers—the highest outdoor observation deck. Burj Khalifa is also the tallest freestanding structure, overtaking the KVLY-TV mast in Blanchard, North Dakota, for the title of the world’s tallest land-based structure.
The skyscraper also set a record for having the longest traveling elevator. This elevator holds the distinction of not only covering the longest distance of any elevator, but it is also the highest service elevator in the world. Moving at a speed of 10 meters per second, it covers the greatest distance between the lowest and highest stops. Burj Khalifa also boasts the world’s highest restaurant and library.
FUN FACT: The race for the title of the tallest building in the world continues. In 2013, construction began on Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia, which is planned to surpass 1,000 meters. Not to be outdone, in 2016 Dubai announced the construction of Dubai Creek Tower, initially planned to reach approximately 1,345 meters in height. However, it has since become clear that achieving this ambitious goal might prove difficult.
What’s Inside the Skyscraper?
The iconic shape of the Burj Khalifa is likely familiar to most of you, but few people know what exactly lies within this marvel of engineering. One of the building’s gems is the Armani Hotel, located on the ground floor and the first nine levels. Designed by Giorgio Armani himself, the hotel exudes luxury. Additionally, he is responsible for the design of the Armani Residences, a series of high-end apartments occupying the next seven floors.
Inside the tower, you’ll also find offices, storage areas, restaurants, and observation decks open to tourists. The 76th floor is home to a luxurious swimming pool, and you can move between floors using one of the 57 elevators or 8 escalators. The tower’s inner workings span 30 floors, housing electrical substations, water tanks and pumps, ventilation systems, and other essential infrastructure needed to keep the building running smoothly. The top four floors, just beneath the spire, are reserved for transmitters and communication equipment, ensuring the skyscraper stays connected.
Observation Decks of the Burj Khalifa
Tourists in Dubai are often divided into those fascinated by the Burj Khalifa itself and those more excited by the incredible views it offers. From its heights, visitors can enjoy stunning panoramas of Downtown Dubai and the entire Persian Gulf, accessible from several different levels. The 124th and 125th floors are reached by the fastest double-decker elevators in the world, whisking you up to the observation deck where the views will leave you speechless. Beyond the captivating skyline, there are also other attractions to explore: an outdoor terrace at 456 meters above ground, telescopes for enhanced viewing, and green screen photography for creating memorable images.
For those wanting to take it a step further and experience the highest observation deck in the world, opt for the Burj Khalifa SKY experience. This grants you access to the 148th floor, featuring an outdoor terrace at 555 meters above ground. Additionally, this ticket includes a personalized guided tour and access to the exclusive SKY lounge. To save a bit on costs, you can combine your visit to the observation decks with other attractions, such as tickets to the Dubai Fountain Boardwalk. You can find all ticket options on here.
A Record-Holder Sparking Controversy
The Burj Khalifa is admired by millions around the world, but it also stirs up significant controversy. It’s no surprise when considering its staggering consumption of resources. It’s estimated that the building uses enough electricity to power an entire city. The tower is also criticized for its lack of practicality, as the top 40 floors are so small that they can only be used for storage. Storing items 800 meters above ground is arguably an inefficient idea. Increasingly, people are becoming aware of these issues, rejecting the building as a symbol of vanity and overconsumption.
At the Foot of the Burj Khalifa
If you’re visiting Dubai and find yourself at the base of the Burj Khalifa, you’ll likely want to stay and explore the area for a while. While the tower is the main attraction, it’s certainly not the only one. On the ground floor, you’ll find a massive entertainment and dining hub, including the Dubai Mall, another world record-holder. The Dubai Mall is the largest entertainment and shopping center in the world. Inside, besides hundreds of stores, restaurants, and a cinema, you’ll discover an ice rink and an enormous aquarium. Adjacent to the mall, the famous Dubai Fountain offers a mesmerizing display of water, lights, and music, set atop the 12-hectare Burj Khalifa Lake.
Practical information
- It is best to purchase tickets for the Burj Khalifa in Dubai in advance. This way, you can avoid standing in long lines and reduce the risk of tickets being sold out.
- Address: 1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd – Downtown Dubai – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
- Buy tickets on GetYourGuide
