The sprawling modern Dubai city is home to some scintillating man-made architectural wonders bound to deliver an enthralling experience. Burj Khalifa grabs the spotlight of all the unique building structures due to its innovative features that can be an awe-inspiring experience for every visitor. Burj Khalifa, or Burj Dubai, located in the UAE, is the tallest skyscraper in the world.
It attracts tourists from every part of the world. The tower is famous for its stunning observation desk, which lets visitors view the city skyline. But who might be the owner of this global icon and architectural marvel? Read on to learn more about this architectural wonder in Dubai to make your travel memorable while reaching its top in the elevator to watch the entire world under your feet.
Who Is The Owner Of Burj Khalifa?
As a first-time visitor, you can’t help but wonder who might be the owner of such majestic architectural creation called Burj Khalifa. Emaar Properties, the renowned real estate firm, is the owner of Burj Khalifa. Mohammed Alabbar is the Chairman of Emaar Properties, founded in 1997. This company has also created a few other projects, like the district of Dubai Marina and the Dubai Mall.
Another notable project handled by Emaar Properties is the 2000-seater performance center situated in Downtown Dubai. This real estate company is associated with prestigious properties across several countries, such as Iraq, Egypt, Turkey, India, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan.
About Burj Khalifa
Burj Khalifa is an iconic landmark of Dubai as it soars up to the sky with a height of over 828 m. With a crowning record of being the tallest building globally, it is more than 160 floors. It was inaugurated in January 2010 for the public and tourists. The visitors to this architectural beauty should be ready for their once in lifetime experience to enjoy an eagle’seagle’s view of the magnificent Persian Gulf when watching from the 555-meter outdoor observation deck.
Get ready to be awestruck while visiting this superstructure with stunning engineering marvels. Sleek offices, posh residences, upscale restaurants, and thoughtfully created observation decks made Burj Khalifa a favorite spot for locals and tourists.
History Behind Burj Khalifa
Burj Khalifa’sKhalifa’s construction kicked off in January 2006 by Emaar Properties and was designed by Adrian Smith, the renowned architect. Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the Chicago-based engineering and architectural company, also designed this massive building structure. The architecture of Burj Khalifa was handled as a joint project by Samsung C&T (a Korean firm), BESIX, and Arabtec.
His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan funded the building, formerly called the Burj Dubai, during its financial crisis during construction. As a token of gratitude for the Sheikh’s aid, Emaar Properties changed the building title to Burj Khalifa. This skyscraper had over 2500 laborers working on it, and the project got completed in October 2009.
The Architecture Of Burj Khalifa
- Design Inspiration: The footprint of Burj Khalifa in triple-lobe style was inspired by a desert flower named Hymenocallis, and the upward spiraling pattern was inspired by the 9th century Great Mosque located in Samarra. The entire building portrays patterns from Islamic architecture and is built with reinforced concrete.
- Flooring and Ventilation System: The tripartite floor of this building is designed in the shape of alphabet Y to create ample space for the hotels and residential units while offering fantastic views of the Arabian Gulf. The building has three elements surrounding the mid-core section. It has a unique sky-sourced ventilation arrangement to ensure the air inside the building is always cool.
- External Design: Burj Khalifa’s spire is built using structural steel weighing over 3500 tons. The external cladding of the building was constructed with over 25000 panels of reflective glass along with textured stainless and aluminum panels. The building is designed with 57 elevators, out of which eight can hold up to 14 individuals in one go and can zip up at a speed of 10 m/s.
- Interior Design: Nada Andric, the award-winning interior designer, and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill jointly designed the interiors of the public areas of Burj Khalifa. The interior design with dark stones, stainless steel, glass panels, silver travertine flooring, Venetian walls, and handmade rugs makes the building a stylish icon. The walls of the entire building are decorated with more than 1000 art pieces from well-known international and Middle Eastern artists.
Special Features of Burj Khalifa
- Burj Khalifa has around nine hotels and restaurants, such as At.mosphere, Armani group of hotels, and Burj Club, to help the visitors enjoy fine dining while soaking in the panoramic view of the city.
- The building has around 37 floors specifically dedicated to offices and businesses of varied categories.
- It houses several swimming pools, a library, shops, a spa, and a club.
- The ground level of Burj Khalifa is designed with a lake and park to allow visitors to enjoy a stroll and rest with their families.
Things To Do In Burj Khalifa
1. Get A Falcon View
How about a memorable experience of watching the city below your feet while viewing from the 124th or 125th level of Burj Khalifa? Take the double-deck elevator on Level 124 to reach the top in just ten m/s and feel the thrill. Enjoy a close-up of the elements below using the powerful, avant-garde telescopes. Watch the never-ending skyline while stepping on the observation terrace outdoors on a trip to Burj Khalifa.
At Level 125, an intricately designed deck reflecting the Arabic Mashrabiya style welcomes you to enjoy immersive views at 360 degrees while standing at 456 m. First, take some stunning pictures of your memories while standing at the world’s highest building with green screen photography while integrating particular and reality effects. Then, be ready to have a virtual reality tour of several parts of the region while stepping on the see-through glass floor.
Enjoy exploring the city while soaring up and experience a spine-chilling feel when the inspired glass floor cracks below your feet. You can also opt for “At The Top Sky” to step inside the world’s world’s tallest observation deck to access the open-air terrace located at the 148th level to stand at the height of 555 m.
At The Top Timings:
- Monday to Friday: From 7.00 am to 11.15 pm
- Saturday & Sunday: From 5 am to 11.15 pm
At The Top Ticket Prices: The ticket cost starts from AED 141 to AED 370
2. Watch The Graceful Dance Of Fountains
Watch the performance of the tallest fountain in the world, lying at the base of Burj Khalifa, coordinated with lights and water jets grooving to popular pop songs and classical tunes. This water fountain shows with a 30-minute break is a must-see option when visiting Burj Khalifa. You can also watch it from the Dubai Fountain Boardwalk to look 9 meters from the fountain and any of the restaurants in the Dubai Mall while enjoying a meal on a terrace seat.
Timings: From 6.00 pm to 11.00 pm every day of the week.
3. Enjoy Fine Dining With A View
Enjoy a perfect dining session at one of the fine restaurants hosted by Burj Khalifa. Don’tDon’t forget to check out the tallest restaurant in the world – At.mosphere located at Level 122, and enjoy fine dining at its best. This restaurant is known for its exquisite menu of delicacies from around the globe and for offering spectacular views of the majestic Arabian Gulf. Fresh ingredients grown explicitly for At.mosphere are used for a few dishes prepared here.
4. Relax At The Lounge
Burj Khalifa lounge, seated at 585 m, is a perfect place to unwind with refreshing cocktails, bubbly drinks, and juices. You can also choose from a vast selection of hot coffees and teas. Relax on the comfy couches in the lounge while munching on a freshly baked pastry or a tasty dessert. Then, have a romantic evening with your loved one while relishing the sunset with a cocktail or bubbly drink.
5. Keep Fit At The Burj Club
Fitness freaks needn’tneedn’t feel guilty without their regular workout, yoga, or pilates routine. Hit the Burj Club and sweat it out during the fitness sessions under professional guidance while enjoying a fantastic mountain view. The club has a specific floor for the spa and gym with a locker facility for women.
Timings: From 11.00 am to 12.00 am
6. Enjoy a Spectacular Show Of Fireworks
Plan to visit Burj Khalifa on festive occasions like New Year’s Eve or Diwali. You will be lucky to watch massive fireworks lighting the night sky in vibrant colors. It is rare to see the world’s tallest building illuminated with lights. The venue is famous for holding laser light show and fireworks show, which remains a crowd-puller every year. Dubai’sDubai’s landmark comes alive with the fireworks display that lasts for about 20 minutes at the stroke of 12.00 to welcome the New Year. Don’tDon’t forget to take out your cameras and capture the moments of this phenomenal spectacle.