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Burj Khalifa<br />
opens its doors<br />
out &<br />
about<br />
“If you build it they will come,” declared Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al<br />
Maktoum several years ago about his visions for the emirate of Dubai. Part of<br />
that vision came to fruition in spectacular fashion on 4 January 2010 when the<br />
world’s largest tower, the Burj Khalifa, was launched before an overwhelmed<br />
audience comprising local residents and the world’s media.<br />
When construction began on 21 September 2004,<br />
at the height of the economic boom and built<br />
by some 12,000 labourers, the developers,<br />
Emaar Properties, remained discreet about the final<br />
altitude. In fact it was revealed to be 828 metres, some 10<br />
metres higher than most industry experts had estimated.<br />
The final cost of the tower was estimated to be USD$1.5<br />
billion with 90 per cent of the building already sold.<br />
The opening coincided with the fourth anniversary of the<br />
accession of Sheikh Mohammed to power and in a gesture<br />
which revealed his magnanimity he named the tower, the<br />
Burj Khalifa after the ruler of the UAE, HRH Sheikh Khalifa<br />
bin Zayed Al Maktoum.<br />
The tower is designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill<br />
which also designed the Sears Tower in Chicago and the first<br />
World Trade Centre Tower in New York City. While there<br />
was speculation that the tower would resemble the Grollo<br />
Tower in Melbourne, Australia, the initial drawings by<br />
Adrian Smith, the design architect, were modified and the<br />
finished with luxurious aplomb. In fact the design of Burj<br />
Khalifa is derived from patterning systems embodied in<br />
Islamic architecture.<br />
Inside is just as spectacular as the exterior. More than<br />
1,000 pieces of art will adorn the Burj Khalifa while the<br />
residential lobby will have the artwork of 196 bronze and<br />
brass alloy cymbals, which symbolize the 196 countries of<br />
the world.<br />
One of the main components of the Burj Khalifa will be<br />
the first Armani Hotel, decorated by Giorgio Armani. This<br />
is due to open on 18 March 2010 and will occupy 15 floors.<br />
The tower will also welcome its first residents in February<br />
and it is estimated that 25,000 people will live within the<br />
tower. For now though, local residents have been visiting<br />
the outdoor observation decks – which is at 442m and is the<br />
highest observation deck in the world. While there have<br />
been an understandable rush of people, the flow of visitors<br />
has been constant and enthusiastic.
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