Construction history

This famous Dubai landmark is not just a successful attempt to build the tallest skyscraper on the planet, but a statement to the whole world: the city is thriving not only thanks to its oil reserves, but also thanks to talented people capable of creating something truly grand. The Burj Khalifa was initiated by the city’s emir and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

American architect Adrian Smith, a recognized master of high-rise construction, was brought in to develop the project. At the end of the 20th century, under his leadership, the Jin Mao Tower in Shanghai and Trump Tower in New York were built (these towers are 420 and 202 meters high, respectively).

For the building in the center of Dubai, the architect came up with an unusual concept inspired by a spider lily flower. Smith designed a glass and concrete structure that appears to consist of three petals. At the same time, the Burj Khalifa was supposed to taper towards the top. To achieve this, the designer came up with a system of 26 spiral levels that decrease in size as they approach the top, with the shape of the petals becoming even more distinct towards the last tier. And most importantly, the building was to become not only the tallest skyscraper in the world, but also a real “city within a city” — with a full infrastructure, green areas, luxury apartments, restaurants, and shops.

Construction of Dubai’s main skyscraper began in January 2004 with site preparation and pile laying. A huge amount of work lay ahead, and, interestingly, no one had any idea how many floors the Burj Khalifa would have according to the design. The exact dimensions of the building were unknown until the final stages of its construction: the information was not disclosed so that no other, even taller and more impressive project could be developed in another part of the world while the Burj Khalifa was being built. It is believed that, in case competitors appeared, options for increasing the height of the building were provided for right during its construction.

The skyscraper was built quickly: by the summer of 2006, the 50th floor of the Burj Khalifa had been completed, which is almost a third of the total volume of the building. The rapid pace was due to the large number of workers involved: at the height of construction, more than 12,000 people from all over the world were working on the building. Thanks to their efforts, by January 2009, the tower’s structure was completely ready, and all that remained was to clad the skyscraper. The finishing work took nine months. Another four months were needed to add the finishing touches and prepare the skyscraper for opening.

The Burj Khalifa was launched on January 4, 2010. A grand light and music show was prepared for this date. It couldn’t have been any other way: the opening ceremony of a building that cost $1.5 billion to construct had to be impressive. The gamble on luxury paid off: the official launch of the Dubai wonder was talked about all over the world.

Architectural features of the building

The design and construction of skyscrapers is a complex task that requires experimentation and the introduction of new technologies. The engineers working on the Burj Khalifa conducted about 40 tests in a wind tunnel to study the effect of height on the materials from which the building was to be constructed, as well as on the well-being of visitors to the skyscraper. As a result, the imperfections of the initial design were identified and corrected through trial and error. Thanks to this work, people can now safely visit all 163 floors of the building without risk to their health or life.

Height and number of floors

The Burj Khalifa skyscraper in Dubai will forever go down in history as the tallest building in the world in the 2010s, as well as the largest freestanding structure. Both titles were awarded while the tower was still under construction, before it had reached its final height.

The total height of the Burj Khalifa, including the spire, is 828 meters. The tower’s closest competitors in 2010 were, for example, the Taiwanese skyscraper Taipei 101 (508 meters) and the Shanghai World Financial Center (492 meters), as well as the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur (451.8 meters). And how many attempts were made later to build something similar — countless!

The emergence of a new record holder in the form of Burj Khalifa spurred the construction of skyscrapers in many countries around the world, but no one has yet managed to build such a gigantic skyscraper. Currently, the second place is occupied by the Merdeka 118 tower, which appeared in Kuala Lumpur in 2023 and became the tallest building in Malaysia. Its height is 679 meters.

Incidentally, in terms of the number of floors (163, as we mentioned), Burj Khalifa also confidently holds the lead today. Its closest competitor among all the skyscrapers in the world in this respect is the Shanghai Tower, which boasts only 128 floors.

Elevators

Visitors, employees, and residents of the Burj Khalifa are transported between floors by 57 elevators. All of them are high-speed, reaching speeds of up to 10 meters per second and delivering passengers to the top of the building in less than a minute. The elevators rise 504 meters, which is also a record. However, only one elevator, intended for staff, can take you from the first to the last floor of the Burj Khalifa. For those who do not work here, a trip to one of the upper floors of the skyscraper will require a transfer.

Incidentally, there is another way to get to the top of the Burj Khalifa: a spiral staircase with 2,909 steps. Going all the way up is a dubious idea, but it is still worth getting out of the elevator early and climbing the rest of the way on foot to enjoy the views of the city through the panoramic windows of the building.

Heat resistance

The high temperatures in Dubai, which remain throughout the year, immediately became a problem during the construction of the Burj Khalifa skyscraper. Since most of the building’s structures were made of concrete, which hardens too quickly in 50-degree heat, new ways of working with mortar under the scorching sun had to be found.

The mixture was often poured at night when it was not so hot, and ice was even added to it, but this method proved to be ineffective at such heights. While the crew was pouring the first batch of mortar, the second batch had to be prepared and sent up. The volumes required were significant: large spaces cannot be filled with concrete in sections in the heat, otherwise the structure will be unstable. As a result, a system of pumps and pumps was devised to deliver the concrete through pipes to the upper floors of the building. This helped solve the problem and successfully complete the construction of the Burj Khalifa.

As for the temperature inside the tower, it is maintained by a modern air conditioning and ventilation system. In addition, 30,000 panels have been installed on the facade of the Burj Khalifa to reduce the impact of ultraviolet rays and heat in the skyscraper’s rooms. Thanks to this equipment, the building remains cool even on the hottest days.

Water collection system

High-quality solutions for cooling the building’s interior led to a new problem. The exterior of the world’s tallest skyscraper is made of glass, on which condensation accumulates due to the temperature difference between the inside and outside. But the creators of Burj Khalifa managed to turn this into an advantage.

A mechanism has been installed in the building to remove condensation. Instead of simply running down the glass surfaces, all the liquid is collected in tanks located in the Burj Khalifa’s underground car park. This approach saves water for technical needs, such as watering the greenery planted around the tower. Over the course of a year, around 56.8 million liters of liquid are collected from the walls of the building!

Energy consumption

The operation of all the systems in such a tall building requires a huge amount of electricity, with peak values reaching 36 MW per day! By comparison, the average family of three consumes about 220 kW per month. This means that Burj Khalifa uses as much electricity in a day as an average family uses in about 13 years!

The environmental damage in this case is significant, but Burj Khalifa could not have been called the most innovative skyscraper if its creators had not taken care to solve the problem of energy consumption. Solar panels are installed around the entire perimeter of the building, saving more than 3 MW per day. This is enough to heat 140,000 liters of water.

What’s inside the tower

Travelers should not only admire the Burj Khalifa from the outside, but also take a look inside the building. There is plenty to see and do in Dubai’s main skyscraper:

• try new culinary experiences in the world’s highest restaurant;
• book a room in a hotel designed by Giorgio Armani and get access to exclusive restaurants and boutiques;
• visit one of the sports centers to refresh yourself in the pool and relax in the spa.

The world’s tallest building also houses 900 luxuriously renovated apartments and 37 floors of office space. In addition, the Burj Khalifa skyscraper has a number of tourist attractions. We will tell you more about them below.

Observation decks

You can admire Dubai from a bird’s eye view by booking a helicopter tour, but this type of leisure activity comes at a high price. Burj Khalifa offers a more affordable option: a visit to one of the tower’s two observation decks.

The first, At the Top, is located on the 124th and 125th floors of the building. It is unique for its 360-degree panoramic view. On the first level of the platform, you can see every corner of the city through powerful telescopes. One floor above is a room with lounge areas and Arabic design. Here, at a height of 456 meters, there is an area with a transparent glass floor for thrill seekers.

The second observation deck of the Burj Khalifa, At the Top Sky, is located on the 148th floor, at a height of 555 meters. It offers stunning views of the emirate and the surrounding desert. To get here, you need to take a two-story elevator on the 124th floor of the building, which is an unusual experience in itself. The visit also includes access to an open terrace and premium relaxation in a special lounge room. It is worth noting that the prices for a visit here are significantly higher than the cost of tickets to the lower levels of the Burj Khalifa.

Both observation areas of the building are open to visitors every day from 10:00 to 21:00 local time. You can check prices and buy tickets on the official Burj Khalifa website. Please note that tickets for the latest sessions, when the sun has already set, are cheaper.

Singing fountain

Another local attraction is located outside the building. The designers have done an excellent job of landscaping the area around the Burj Khalifa. There is a park area with walking paths and an artificial lake called Burj Lake with azure water, which is part of one of the tallest working fountains in the world.

The Singing Fountain is 234 meters of cascading jets rising above the surface of the man-made lake, with five circles and two arches containing powerful nozzles that spray water in different directions. All this splendor is illuminated by more than 6,000 powerful multicolored lamps and 50 spotlights and accompanied by world and Arabic music.

There is a promenade along the shore of Lake Burj from which you can watch the show, and for those who want to be in the thick of the action, there is a floating platform from which you can take the most spectacular photos. But the most impressive option is a boat trip between the streams right in the middle of the action.

The show runs daily from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. every 20-30 minutes.

Where to buy Burj Khalifa tickets?

There are several ways to buy tickets for Burj Khalifa. First, you can book tickets online in advance. The official Burj Khalifa website often offers discounts and promotions, and ticket prices may be cheaper than at the box office. Plus, you won’t have to stand in boring and long lines.

You can also purchase tickets for today through travel services. Partner websites sometimes offer additional packages, such as Burj Khalifa + Dubai Mall Aquarium or a transfer. You can walk through a crystal-clear tunnel, watching colorful fish and sharks, and then see the lively penguins in Penguin Bay.

The price depends on the floor you choose and the time of your visit (e.g., evening hours are more expensive):

• At The Top: from 169 AED. Children under 4 years old: free, 4–12 years old: approximately 129 AED.
• At The Top Sky: adults and children from 399 AED.

You can book dinner or lunch at the At.mosphere restaurant on the 122nd floor at a variable price depending on the menu. Here you will find a variety of exquisite European dishes: Wagyu steaks, oysters, foie gras, and much more.

Why should you include Burj Khalifa in your itinerary?

If you want to get the most out of your visit to Burj Khalifa, it is best to book your tickets online through the official website. It is not only more convenient, but also cheaper. Don’t forget to choose the right observation deck depending on your preferences and budget.

Why is it better to book tickets for Burj Khalifa online?

• It is cheaper on the website than at the ticket office.
• You can choose a convenient time to visit.
• Guaranteed entry to popular time slots.
• No queues or waiting.

Burj Khalifa is open all year round, and opening hours vary depending on the viewing platform you choose. At The Top (floors 124-125) is open Monday through Friday: during peak hours from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and during off-peak hours from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., as well as from 7:00 p.m. to midnight (last admission at 11:15 p.m.). On weekends (Saturday and Sunday), the schedule remains the same. At The Top SKY (148th floor) is open daily from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. during peak hours and from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. during off-peak hours (last admission at 9:00 p.m.).

It is best to book tickets for Burj Khalifa in advance, especially for the evening hours, when the best view of the sunset and the lights of Dubai at night opens up. The symbol of Dubai is definitely worth seeing at least once in a lifetime.

Where is Burj Khalifa

The address of Burj Khalifa in Dubai is Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, 1. You can get there by the following means:

• Take bus No. 27 or F13 to the Burj Khalifa, The Palace Hotel stop, then walk 17 minutes through Burj Park.
• Take bus No. 27, 28, 29, 81, F13, H02, or X22 to the Dubai Mall, Main Entrance stop. Then walk 13 minutes along Financial Centre Road and Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard.
• Take the metro to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station, which is a five-minute walk from the tower.
• Take a taxi by downloading one of the local aggregator apps.

Conclusion

The main thing that made Burj Khalifa world famous is its height, but that is far from the only thing that makes this skyscraper unique. It is worth coming here to appreciate the imagination of the architects and designers, marvel at the perfection of the engineering solutions, and, of course, admire the most beautiful views of Dubai from the observation decks or from the tables of local restaurants.

Experienced guides will help you learn more about the history of the world’s tallest building and include a visit to Burj Khalifa in your city tour itinerary. They have already come up with the best options for exploring the UAE’s main pride and joy.