Dubai’s heart and the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, epitomises a marvellous structure and brilliant architecture that beckons travellers from across the globe ever since its inauguration. Honourably holding a total of eight world records, it is a mixed-use skyscraper that also houses a myriad of commercial, residential, and hospitality ventures. Along with witnessing this supertall engineering marvel’s jaw-dropping view, you must keep your ears open to hear some amazing facts about Burj Khalifa, which will surely make your visit more exciting.
Interesting Facts About Burj Khalifa
Explore the secrets and breathtaking facets of this soaring masterpiece, which stands tall among the global landscapes of iconic structures. Here are some of the interesting facts about Burj Khalifa, unveiling its secrets and records.
1. World’s Tallest Building
One of the most known facts about Burj Khalifa is that it is the world’s tallest building, standing at a height of 2716.5 feet or 828 meters. With over 160 stories, this marvellous building is twice the height of the Empire State Building and three times the height of the Eiffel Tower. At level 148, it boasts the tallest observation deck in the world, offering dazzling views of Dubai from 555 meters. Don’t forget to indulge in delicacies at Atmosphere, Dubai, which is perched at 442 metres above ground level on floor 122, and is recognised as the highest restaurant in the world.
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2. Based on the Islamic Architecture
The superlative architecture of Burj Khalifa makes it one of the most attractive centrepieces globally. Here are some amazing facts about Burj Khalifa and its impressive architecture:
- The fascinating design of the tower, which sets it apart from all the other buildings, is influenced by the Hymenocallis flower or Spider Lily.
- Featuring a triple-lobed footprint, the Arabian Gulf views are maximized by a Y-shaped floor design. When viewed from below or above, the Burj Khalifa resembles the onion-domed buildings that are a common feature of Islamic architecture.
- Adorned with pristine glass, polished dark stones and stainless steel, the interior design of this marvellous building was designed by the Chicago office of Skidmore, Owings & Merril LLP. Influenced by local culture and led by Nada Andric, the grand interior of the tower set its status as a global icon.
3. Fastest Elevator with The Longest Travel Distance
Recognized as the world’s lengthiest lift, spanning 140 stories, the elevator of the Burj Khalifa is the fastest elevator which travels at a speed of 10 metres/ second. It’s one of the astounding facts about Burj Khalifa that it takes less than a minute to reach the 124th floor via the lift. Initially, the plan was to construct triple-decker elevators, however, later, it was decided to build double-decker elevators with a capacity of 12 to 14 passengers per cabin.
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4. Awarded With A Total Of 7 World Records
One of the greatest facts about Burj Khalifa is that along with being the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa has been awarded 6 additional world records. These are as follows:
- The Burj Khalifa is recognized as the tallest freestanding building in the world.
- It boasts the highest number of stories in the world.
- Attracting crowds from all over the world, this grand building has the highest occupied floor in the world.
- To provide a dazzling and mesmerizing view of the city, the tower offers the highest outdoor observation deck in the world.
- It features the fastest elevator, travelling at a speed of 10 metres per second, and covering the longest distance.
- During its construction, over 12,000 people worked on-site which makes it one of the busiest construction sites in world history.
5. Luxurious Gems Inside The Tower
One of the most interesting facts about Burj Khalifa is that it houses the second Armani Hotel in the world. The first one you will find in Milan. Known for its luxurious treatments, and for making guests feel at home, this hotel is a lavishing place counted among the luxurious gems inside the Burj Khalifa. Another highlight of the tower is the At.mosphere, the world’s highest restaurant that is known for serving delicious delicacies as well as offering a spectacular view of the city skyline from 441 metres above the ground level.
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6. Area Of The Tower
With a total area of 3,331,140 ft square or 309,473 m square and 163 floors, Burj Khalifa is packed with 2957 parking spaces, 900 apartments and 304 hotels. Made with 26,000 hand-cut glass panels, the Burj Khalifa’s facade is created to conserve energy as well as reduce heat transfer. One of the most astonishing facts about Burj Khalifa is that over 330,000 cubic metres of concrete and aluminium, equal to the weight of five A380 aircraft, were used during the construction of this massive building.
7. No Compromise With Sustainability
One of the most interesting facts about Burj Khalifa, which is really appreciable, is that there is no compromise with sustainability, both during the time of its construction as well as at present. Every year, fifteen million gallons of water are harvested sustainably for the irrigation of plants and landscaping, Apart from this, it is also utilized for the cooling system as well as for the Dubai Fountain. Solar panels are installed in the structure, where up to 140,000 litres of water can be heated daily. and the outer cladding has been coated with silver to boost insulation.
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Burj Khalifa History
One of the most interesting facts about Burj Khalifa is its interesting history that covers its entire journey from inception to completion. Before the construction, Dubai city relied completely on oil production and distribution for its revenue. The first and foremost reason for developing Burj Khalifa was to introduce a global icon that could represent Dubai’s transition towards modernity and technology as well as draw the attention of people from far and wide to increase tourism revenue. The construction of this grand tower commenced on 6th January 2004 and was completed in 2009, taking almost 5 years. The name of the building is inspired by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed AL Nahyan, the president of the UAE and the ruler of Abu Dhabi. Although there were tremendous challenges during the construction, however, after its official opening in January 2010, Burj Khalifa not only became a global icon but also stood as a testament to the nation’s ambition and prosperity.
Best Time To Visit Burj Khalifa
To witness the scenic view of Burj Khalifa, it is suggested to visit this grand building during non-peak hours. The ideal times to visit Burj Khalifa are either early morning, between 08:30 AM to 10:00 AM, early afternoon, between 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM, or late night before its closing time, around 8:30 PM. The tower experiences fewer crowds during the mentioned time, making it more convenient and enjoyable for you to explore without any rush. The sunrise tour is also an amazing experience at Burj Khalifa. However, it might be the busiest time at the tower.
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Embracing the symbol of innovation and progress, Burj Khalifa is the charm of Dubai, captivating the attention of curious minds globally. These facts about Burj Khalifa embody its remarkable transformation from its inception to completion. On your next trip to Dubai, keep these breathtaking facets in your mind to explore this magnificent structure from a different perspective. Happy visit!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Facts About Burj Khalifa
What are some fun facts about Burj Khalifa?
Some of the peculiar details about Burj Khalifa are as follows:
- The top level of the Burj Khalifa remains cooler than the ground level with a temperature of 59°F (15°C).
- There are many movies such as Mission Impossible, where you can see the clips and captures of the Burj Khalifa.
- The inauguration of the Burj Khalifa was held on the Accession Day anniversary of Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and 10,000 fireworks were shot in the celebration.
- One can see the top of the Burj Khalifa from up to 59 miles on a clear day.
- Alain Robert who is also known as French Spiderman has climbed the exterior of the Burj Khalifa.
Why is it called Burj Khalifa?
The Burj Khalifa was initially named Burj Dubai at the time of its construction. Later, it was named Burj Khalifa to honour Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed AI Nahyan, the former president of the UAE.
How many floors are there in the Burj Khalifa?
There are a total of 163 floors in Burj khalifa. It stands as the world’s tallest building, as the height of Burj Khalifa is 828 meters (2,717 feet). The building serves various purposes, including residential, commercial and hotel spaces.
Who is the owner of Burj Khalifa?
The grand tower of Burj Khalifa is owned by Emaar Properties. It is a prominent real estate developer in Dubai which takes care of all the operations and maintenance of Burj Khalifa.
Why it is called Burj Khalifa?
Burj Khalifa is named after Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed AI Nahyan. The construction of this grand tower commenced on 6th January 2004 and was completed in 2009, taking almost 5 years. The structure is successfully playing its pivotal role in supporting Dubai’s economy as well as contributing to the nation’s growth and prosperity.
What is the secret of Burj Khalifa?
The water system of the Burj Khalifa is one of its most amazing mysteries. Keeping the tower operational requires a small army of maintenance personnel, one of whose duties is controlling the tower's water use.
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