What Is the Famous Building in Dubai?

By Anna Duncan

Dubai is a city known for its luxurious lifestyle, stunning architecture, and futuristic designs. Among the many iconic structures in Dubai, one building stands out – the Burj Khalifa.

The Burj Khalifa

The Burj Khalifa is a skyscraper located in downtown Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Standing at an impressive height of 828 meters (2,716 feet), it’s currently the tallest building in the world. The Burj Khalifa was designed by Adrian Smith of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and constructed by Samsung C&T from South Korea.

Construction

Construction of the Burj Khalifa began on January 6, 2004, and was completed on October 1, 2009. The construction process involved over 12,000 workers and cost approximately $1.5 billion USD. The building has more than 160 floors and houses offices, residential apartments, restaurants, a hotel and observation decks.

Features

The Burj Khalifa features a unique design inspired by Islamic architecture. It’s composed of three elements arranged around a central core: the Y-shaped plan provides maximum views of the Arabian Gulf. The tower has setbacks along its height that decrease wind forces on the building as well as shading devices that reduce heat gain from direct sunlight.

The observation deck on level 148 offers breathtaking views of Dubai’s skyline. Visitors can take an elevator to reach the deck which is located at a height of 555 meters (1,821 ft) above ground level.

Records

The Burj Khalifa holds several records; it’s not only the tallest building in the world but also has:

  • The highest outdoor observation deck in the world located on level 148.
  • The highest occupied floor in the world located on level 154.
  • The elevator with the longest travel distance in the world, traveling a total of 504 meters (1,654 ft).
  • The highest vertical concrete pumping for a building with its construction core pumped to a height of 606 meters (1,988 ft).

Conclusion

The Burj Khalifa is an architectural marvel that has become a symbol of Dubai’s modernity and progress. It’s not just an iconic landmark but also a testament to human ingenuity and engineering prowess. If you ever visit Dubai, make sure to add the Burj Khalifa to your must-visit list!