Attraction: Burj Khalifa

The Burj Khalifa is a skyscraper located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, also known as the Burj Dubai prior to its inauguration in 2010. The Burj Khalifa has been the tallest structure and building in the world since its completion in 2009, with a total height of 829.8 m (2,722 ft, just over half a mile) and a roof height of 828 m (excluding antenna, but including a 244 m spire) since its completion in 2009. (preceded by Taipei 101).

The construction of the Burj Khalifa started in 2004, and the exterior was completed in 2009, five years later. Strengthened concrete is the primary structure. As part of a new development called Downtown Dubai, the building was opened in 2010. It is designed to be the centerpiece of mixed-use, large-scale development.

The decision to construct the building is based on the decision of the government to diversify from an oil-based economy and to win international recognition for Dubai. The building was originally named Burj Dubai, but was renamed in honor of Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the ruler of Abu Dhabi and president of the United Arab Emirates; Abu Dhabi and the government of the UAE lent Dubai money to pay their debts. Numerous height records were broken by the building, including its designation as the world’s highest building.

The building currently holds these records:

• Tallest building in the world
• Tallest free-standing structure in the world
• Highest number of stories in the world
• Highest occupied floor in the world
• Highest outdoor observation deck in the world
• Elevator with the longest travel distance in the world
• Tallest service elevator in the world

The building provides guided tours to observation decks, lounge with breakfast and drinks and hosts various events. The building consists of private residencies, hotel residencies and corporate offcies.