What is the Tallest Building?

The world’s tallest building is the Burj Khalifa. Located in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), it is 828 m (2,717 ft) high. Construction started on September 21 2004. On October 1, 2009 the structure exterior was finished. On January 4, 2010, the building was officially opened.

Cost

The building cost US$1.5 billion. If the whole “Downtown Dubai” area is included, the expenditures would be about US$20 billion.

Construction Details

The building was built by Samsung Engineering & Construction, a South Korean company, together with Arabtec of UAE and Besix from Belgium. The main structural system is concrete; over 45,000 m3 (58,900 cu yd) of it were used. The total concrete weight is 120,000 short tons; 110,000 long tons or 110,000 tonnes. There are 192 piles each measuring 1.5 meter diameter x 43 m long at a depth of 64 ft (50 m). Construction time is estimated at 22 million man-hours.

The Dubai Fountain

The world’s tallest building is also famous for the Dubai Fountain. Located outside the building, it was created by WET Design of the USA, which also made the Bellagio Hotel fountain. The Dubai Fountain has 50 colored projectors and 6,600 lights. The length is 275 m (902 ft). Water shoots from it at a height of 150 m (490 ft).

The Burj Khalifa Park

The building is surrounded by a park measuring 11 ha (27 acres). The park was created by SWA Group. The design was inspired by the symmetrical shape of the Hymenocallis, a desert flower. The park has flowering trees, palm lined walkways, several gardens and half a dozen water features.

The Observation Deck

The building’s observation deck is called At The Top. It is situated at the 124th floor. Overall, it is the second highest observation deck on the planet. Its position sets it at a height of 452 m (1,483 ft). Its main feature is the Behold Telescope. The telescope allows one to see the environment in real time. Saved images allow visitors to see the surroundings under diverse weather conditions.

Records

Aside from being the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa also has the most number of floors (160). It has the highest occupied floor (160).

The building is also home to the world’s highest elevator located at the top of the structure. These elevators are also the fastest at 18 m/s (59 ft/s) or 64 km/h (40 mph). The Burj Khalifa has a mosque at the 158th floor, the highest location for a mosque.