World

Burj Khalifa Trivia | 40 facts about the tall building

Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world, and is considered the most characheristic landmarks of Dubai.

Let’s find out more about Burj Khalifa!

Burj Khalifa is the tallest building and tallest free-standing structure in the world.
It measures more than 2,716 feet high.
It has more than 160 stories to its name.
As it is expected the view on the Burj Khalifa is unforgettable.
Visitors will want to reserve tickets ahead of time for privileged access to the world’s highest observation deck, At The Top, Burj Khalifa SKY.
Then, head to the world’s highest lounge, The Lounge, Burj Khalifa, for afternoon tea or Champagne at sunset.
The Burj Khalifa literally means”Khalifa Tower” in English.
It is known as the Burj Dubai prior to its inauguration in 2010.
It is a skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
It’s the tallest structure and building in the world since its topping out in 2009.
Its predescessor was Taipei 101.
Construction of the Burj Khalifa began in 2004.
The exterior completed in five years later in 2009.
The primary structure is 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.
The decision to construct the building is based on the government’s decision to diversify from an oil-based economy, and for Dubai to gain international recognition.
The building was originally named Burj Dubai.
Despite that it was renamed in honour of the ruler of Abu Dhabi and president of the United Arab Emirates, Khalifa bin Zayed Al NahyanAbu Dhabi and the UAE government lent Dubai money to pay its debts.
The building broke numerous height records, including its designation as the tallest building in the world.
Burj Khalifa was designed by Adrian Smith, of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.
The firm designed the Willis Tower and One World Trade Center.
Hyder Consulting was chosen to be the supervising engineer with NORR Group Consultants International Limited chosen to supervise the architecture of the project.
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 space.
A buttressed central core and wings are used to support the height of the building.
Although this design was derived from Tower Palace III, the Burj Khalifa’s central core houses all vertical transportation with the exception of egress stairs within each of the wings.
The structure also features a cladding system.
It is specifically designed to withstand Dubai’s hot summer temperatures.
It contains a total of 57 elevators and 8 escalators.
At a certain point in the architectural and engineering process, the original Emaar developers experienced financial problems, and required more money and economic funding.
Sheikh Khalifa, the ruler of the United Arab Emirates, granted monetary aid and funding, hence resulting in the changing of the name to “Burj Khalifa”.
The concept of profitability derived from building high density developments and malls around the landmark have proven successful.
Its surrounding malls, hotels and condominiums in Downtown Dubai have generated the most revenue from the project as a whole.
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 concerning migrant workers from South Asia who were the primary building labor force.
These centered on low wages and the practice of confiscating passports until duties were complete.
To wash the 24,348 windows, totaling 120,000 m² (1,290,000 sq ft) of glass, the building has three horizontal tracks which each holding a 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) bucket machine. Above level 109, and up to tier 27, traditional cradles from davits are used.
The top of the building is cleaned by a crew that uses ropes to descend from the top to gain access.