Burj Khalifa (Arabic: برج خليفة, "Khalifa Tower") is an extremely tall skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and is the tallest building ever built, at 828 metres (2,717 feet). Before the building opened, it was called Burj Dubai. The building is 162 stories high. Construction of the tower was started in 2004. The building was officially opened on 4 January 2010.[2][3] It is the tallest structure made by humans in the world. The building is more than 300 metres (980 feet) taller than Taipei 101. Taipei 101 was the tallest building until 2010 before Burj Khalifa was built.
Adrian Smith designed the tower.[4] He worked with Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) until 2006.[5] It was built by Samsung Engineering & Construction, Besix, and Arabtec.[6] The tower cost US $1.5 billion to build.[7] The building is part of a 2 kilometres (1.2 miles) building project on Sheikh Zayed Road, Downtown Burj Khalifa. It is near Dubai's main business district.
The building and planning
The building is not only the tallest structure in the world, it also holds the following records-
Tallest skyscraper to top of spire: 828 m (2,717 ft) (previously Taipei 101 - 509.2 m (1,671 ft))
Tallest structure ever built: 828 m (2,717 ft) (previously Warsaw radio mast - 646.38 m (2,121 ft))
Tallest freestanding structure: 828 m (2,717 ft) (previously CN Tower - 553.3 m (1,815 ft))
Building with most floors: 160 (previously Willis Tower - 108)[22]
World's highest elevator installation[23]
Highest vertical concrete pumping (for a building): 606 m (1,988 ft)[24] (previously Taipei 101 - 449.2 m (1,474 ft))
Highest vertical concrete pumping (for any construction): 606 m (1,988 ft)[24] (previously Riva del Garda Hydroelectric Power
Plant - 532 m (1,745 ft)[25])
The first world's tallest structure in history to include residential space[26][11]
Highest outdoor observation deck in the world (126th floor), at about 440 m (1,440 ft).[27]
World's highest installation of an aluminum and glass façade, at a height of 512 m (1,680 ft).
World's highest swimming pool (125th floor)[28]
Worlds highest restaurant (128th floor)[29]
