Burj Khalifa: Facts, Hotels, Floors, Tickets Price, Offers

All About Burj Khalifa

Architecture, Height, Interesting Facts, World Records, Tickets, Offers

Burj Khalifa, meaning the ‘Khalifa Tower’ evokes a sense of pride. It is an engineering and architectural marvel that is symbolic of the progressive attribute of human civilization. Its presence is proof of the limitless creative possibilities of the human brain. Till the time it stands tall and proud, it is an ode to the zeal and passion of hundreds of architects, designers, engineers, contractors, and workers who have been a part of this dream project and made it a reality.

Let’s embark on an exploratory tour of one of the world’s finest structures.

At The Top, Burj Khalifa

Earlier known as Burj Dubai, the skyscraper has many firsts to its name. It’s the world’s tallest building and man-made structure. Also referred to as the vertical city, the gigantic building is populated by about 10,000 people at a given time though it has the capacity to accommodate about 35,000 people at one go.

This is a mix-use building that houses the Armani Hotel Dubai and the Armani Residences along with 300,000 sq. feet of office spaces, and 1.85 million sq. feet of residential space. Besides these, there are two observation decks, a couple of lounges, four pools, and some health and wellness facilities.

Interestingly, every aspect of the world’s tallest building is unique and extraordinary. Be it Karim Rashid’s ‘Evolutes’ artform at the entrance of the building or the exclusive scents infused in the common areas of the tower. The ‘World Voices’ created by artist Jaume Plensa in the lobby of The Residences consists of 196 cymbals. These cymbals generate human voices in a chorus when water droplets fall on them symbolizing the voices of people from across the world.

Do you know that when Dubai is surrounded by dense fog, the view from the Observatory Decks makes you feel as if you are in the abode of clouds!

Location

This record-breaking skyscraper is located in one of the poshest districts of Dubai, UAE. Located in Downtown Dubai, the address of Burj Khalifa reads 1, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, Dubai.

The iconic location is home to the Dubai Mall, Old Town, Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Souk Al Bahar, and The Address Hotels.

The tower is surrounded by three distinct landscaped areas featuring six water-based features, a palm court, a play area, one lake-side promenade, terrace gardens, and forest groves.

Interesting Facts about Burj Khalifa

Here’s a list of some of the interesting facts about the exemplary tower:

• The World’s highest library is housed inside the building on Level 123 of the Residence.
• The double-deck elevators for guests and residents travel at a speed of 10 meters/sec making them the fastest elevators in the world.
• The Tower features one 800-meter-long lightning conductor at the top of the building.
• 12,000 workers worked round the clock to get the structure ready with the entire workflow being managed by the WAR (Work-Action-Resolution) Room.
• The total floor area of the entire building is about 309,473 sq. Meter.
• The building has a total of 8 escalators and 57 elevators.
• The underground parking can accommodate around 2,957 cars simultaneously.
• The first 100 levels of the tower were finished in 1,093 days.
• The stairwell of the building exists till the 160th floor and has 2,909 steps in total. To go beyond this, ladders are used.
• The water supply of the tower is maintained through the storage tanks and pumps installed every 30th floor in the main mechanical plant room. The main mechanical plant is a part of the double-storied mechanical floors that house the electrical substations and air-handling units too.
• One can catch a glimpse of the entire city from the Observation Decks of the building. The most-loved view though from the Decks is that of the Dubai Fountain accompanied in the background by the performance soundtrack offering an immersive experience.
• The Burj Khalifa is one of the most photographed buildings in the world.
• The Tower has featured in the movie Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol where Tom Cruise, the film’s hero performs a chilling stunt sequence right at the Towers.
• The façade has a series of individually-programmable stroboscopes for lighting up in patterns, sparkles, etc.
• The Spa Corridor in each Sky Lobby has been constructed with glass embedded with responsive lighting making the person feel as if he/she is walking on water.
• Regular maintenance of the exterior façade is done via in-built track and fixed telescopic cradle-equipped units which would otherwise take about 3-4 months.
• The three Sky Lobbies have gyms, spas, pools, juice bars, outdoor sundecks, and more. These Lobbies are located on 43, 76, and 123 Levels.
• The tower has been scaled by Nasser Al Neyadiandhis, a UAE National, and Omar Alhegelan, a skydiving trainer. They jumped off a vertical height of 672 meters making the tower the place of the highest BASE jump in the world.
• In 2011, the tower was part of yet another world record when the French Spiderman or Alain Robert scaled the entire tower in 6 hours.
• It is one of the outstanding lighting conductors on the globe.
• High-intensity xenon lights on the tower flash 40 times per minute. These white obstruction lights with changing flash intensity help prevent aircraft collisions with the building.
• The tip of the tower is 6°C cooler than the ground level.

Burj Khalifa Tickets Price

The ticket price for Burj Khalifa depends on which section of the building you are planning to visit since each hasitsown pricing range.

Here is a price variation for getting access to the observation decks, lounge area, and other associated experiences.

Burj Khalifa Ticket Offers

Burj Khalifa is one of the most prominent symbols of Dubai, if not the most recognizable one. So, naturally, thousands and thousands of visitors wait for their chance to witness this architectural beauty.

Its popularity often leads to various offers on tickets being on the table to make visiting this marvelous structure an even more pocket-friendly experience.From time to time, there are various lucrative deals and offers provided for visitors that include a Buy 1 Get 1 Free ticket, a 50% discount on tickets, and combo deals on multiple tickets, among others.

Furthermore, visiting Burj Khalifa during non-peak hours during the week will save additional money since the ticket prices are considerably lower at these hours.

How tall is the Burj Khalifa?

It is 829.8 meters or 2,722 feet tall (from the ground level to the topmost tip of the structure.

Burj Khalifa Height (in Meters, Inches, Feet)

The following table shows the details of the height of the world’s tallest building.

Burj Khalifa Floors

The tower has a total of 163 floors.  A floor-by-floor detailing is as below

Burj Khalifa Construction

The construction of the tallest structure in the world involved the use of:

• A total cost of $1.5 billion.
• 22 million manhours.
• 166,800 sq. feet of embossed stainless steel.
• 39,000 million tons of reinforced steel.
• 1 million sq. feet of glass.
• About 45 various types of stones.

The planning phase of the tower did not just involve designing the architectural and structural aspects of the building. It also involved designing the plumbing, electrical and mechanical parts of the project too. All of this was possible due to the concerted efforts of many consultants, structural engineers, and architects.

Building a tower so high and tall involved the use of high-compressive robust concrete mixtures for power and strength. The unique process of making the mixtures consisted of using chilled concrete prepared by the partial use of shards of ice. The outer glass panels (about 26,000 in number) have been individually hand-cut. The panels are bound by textured stainless steel and aluminum panels and vertical tubular fins made from stainless steel. Around 380 workers, all of them skilled were responsible for the exterior cladding and installing about 175 panels each day.

The superstructure rests on a 3.7 meters concrete mat made from 12,5000 cubic meters of concrete. What is the special thing about this mat? It is a high-density, highly reinforced, and low-permeability mat. Beneath the mat, a cathodic protection system has been incorporated that takes care of the corrosive nature of chemicals present in the groundwater. The entire groundwork took about a year to complete.

The construction of this archetypal building would be incomplete without the use of the world’s most-powerful machinery. For Burj Khalifa, three of the globe’s largest high-altitude cranes were involved. Each of the cranes had a capacity limit of 25 tons and a self-jacking system. The highest crane was installed at 700 meters above the ground level.

This humongous skyscraper has faced at least 40 wind tunnel tests including façade pressure testing and wind climate testing of Dubai to ensure structural safety.

Some interesting aspects of the construction of this tower include:

• The combined length of the stainless-steel bullnose fins used in the project is about 293 times Eiffel Tower’s height.
• 6 million cubic feet of concrete were used. Since the entire Downtown area was being constructed simultaneously, a dedicated concrete plant was first constructed onsite to meet the supply requirements of the projects.
• The total weight of the concrete used in building this gigantic skyscraper is equivalent to the weight of 100,000 elephants.
• The total weight of aluminum used in the construction of the skyscraper equals the aluminum used in making 5 A380 aircraft.
• The skyscraper’s enormity is fortified by the central core and wings. In November 2007, the highest reinforced concrete core walls were pumped to a height of 601 meters at a pressure of 80 MPa.

History of Burj Khalifa

The site where this iconic structure has been constructed was a military site and was cleared before the construction of this building started in 2004. The entire project was completed in 2009. Some of the structural steel used in the tower was imported from Germany because it belonged to the Palace of the Republic in East Berlin. As a result of this high-rise structure, Dubai gained prominence on the global map.

30 contracting companies from around the world and people belonging to 196 nationalities, came together to collaborate globally on-site to make this dream possible. Thus, the ‘World Voices’ was created as a dedication to this collaboration.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum inaugurated the tower on 4th January 2010. Upon inauguration, the tower established a number of records and gave Dubai international recognition.   Owned by Emaar Properties, it was named after Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the ruler of Abu Dhabi and head of the United Arab Emirates.

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill was chosen as the designing firm for the tower. They had designed the Sears Tower of Chicago which was earlier the planet’s tallest man-made building. The engineering aspects of the project were supervised by Hyder Consulting and NORR Group. The architectural firm appointed for the project was Consultants International Limited.

Spider Lily or Hymenocallis, a desert flower locally grown was the inspiration behind Adrian Smith, the architect’s design. It showcases a melodious blend of proportions. The flower is also a part of the landscaped area around the tower. The tripartite Y-shaped floor design helped optimize space.

The interiors of the world’s tallest building represent uber-luxuriousness. From Venetian stucco walls to silver travertine and stone flooring, there has been extensive use of top-of-the-line exclusively-created furnishings like handmade rugs, Brazilian Santos rosewood, and more.

The Burj Khalifa is not only about contemporary sensual essences. It showcases the perfect amalgamation of traditional features with modern aesthetics. The pattern of the entire tower is an extended expression of Islamic art where one basic geometrical motif has been repeated throughout.

The Residence of the skyscraper boasts of Middle-Eastern culture-inspired interiors, especially Arabic calligraphy, which is characterized by distinct strokes. The curves and arcs of the interiors are representative of these stylish strokes. Similarly, the make of the ceiling, floor, and carpets are symbolic of the sand dunes of the Arabian desert.

Another example of the blend of modern aspects with traditions is the ride on ‘Abras’ on the Burj Lake that visitors can undertake while appreciating the beauty of the Dubai Fountain. Not just that, the ceiling of ‘At the Top’ features Arabian carvings called Mash Rabiya, an intricate latticework.

Armani Hotel & Residence in Burj Khalifa

The World’s first Armani Hotel is located inside the Burj Khalifa. There are a total of 304 rooms in the hotel. Every corner of this hotel, including the fabrics and furnishings, incorporates the signature style and statement of Giorgio Armani. It opened its doors to guests in 2010.

The hotel’s entrance has been designed by none other than Mr. Giorgi Armani himself. As a result, when the visitor steps inside the hotel, they feel like they are visiting Mr. Armani’s home. This fact is accentuated by the absence of the customary check-in desk at the hotel’s reception.

The interiors of the hotel are designed in a bespoke manner featuring Armani/Casa furnishings, Eramosa stone floors, Armani-designed toiletries, and zebrawood panels. Besides, natural light has been used optimally and blended well for minimalist elegance with simple architectural lines, exclusive accents, and inspirational color palette.

Besides the hotel, the Burj Khalifa is also home to The Armani Residences. It includes 144 luxuriously designed apartments, each a bespoke creation. The Residences are located between levels 9 and 16. Each apartment is a one-of-its-kind example of elegance, boasting of made-to-measure personalized furniture, furnishings, and fittings.

Burj Khalifa Restaurant

Dining at the world’s tallest building is an exquisite affair and something that you must not miss out on. There are several top-notch restaurants and lounge areas for you to enjoy fine dining experiences in Burj Khalifa.

Among the most prominent ones is The Burj Club, which is an exclusive rooftop club. There is the At.mosphere that will elevate you to the luxurious and grandeur level of sheer beauty. You can even opt for the Armani Deli restaurant at the Armani Hotel in the building.

Whatever cuisine you prefer, you can enjoy them in this magnificent building with breathtaking views. Treat yourself and immerse yourself in the Burj Khalifa experience of delicious foods and opulence.

World Records Set by Burj Khalifa

Some of the world records set by this colossal structure are:

• The tallest building in the world.
• Tallest man-made structure on the planet.
• Tallest free-standing structure on the Earth.
• Tallest service elevator in the world.
• Fastest double-deck elevators for guests and residents in the world.
• The planet’s highest façade in aluminum and glass.
• Highest observation deck (outdoors) globally.
• Highest occupied floor which is 1985 feet above the ground.
• Most number of Storeys in a building in the world.
• Tallest Art Gallery in the world.

Alongside this, this man-made structure received the Global Icon award by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat in 2010. This prestigious icon is conferred to a limited number of projects and awarded once in 10 to 15 years.

Conclusion

Burj Khalifa is a man-made masterpiece that defies the laws of possibility. Combining architectural genius with magnificent beauty, it truly deserves the title of the world’s tallest building. An absolute icon of Dubai, this is THE spot to visit if you are stepping into the emirate.

There is no substitute for the experience that you will enjoy here.A skyscraper of gigantic proportion, it stands as a symbol of the modernization of Dubai and how far it has come in the past several decades to establish itself as one of the leading and most prominent cities in the world today.

FAQs

1. What is Burj Khalifa famous for?

To start with, it is the world’s tallest man-made structure. With 163 floors and a height of 828 meters, it stands tall and proud on the face of the Earth. It also holds the record for being the tallest free-standing structure and the tallest building on the Earth.

2. What is the Burj Khalifa used for?

This is a mix-use skyscraper with office space, residential space, and home to the famous Armani Hotel. Besides this, it has two observation decks, a couple of lounges, four pools, restaurants, spas, gyms, Jacuzzis, etc.

3. Which firm has designed the Burj Khalifa?

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill is the designer company of the skyscraper while the main designer was Mr. Adrian Smith.

4. What is inside the Burj Khalifa?

The Burj Khalifa has three Sky Lobbies at Levels 43, 76, and 123. The Corporate Office spaces are spread across Levels 111 to 121, 125 to 135, 139 to 147, and 149 to 154. At Level 122, the At.mosphere restaurant is located. The Residences are studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, three-bedroom, four-bedroom, and suites spread across Levels 19 to 37, 44 to 72, and 77 to 108. The Armani Hotel occupies space at the Concourse and then at the Ground level, Levels 1 to 8, 38 to 39. Bespoke Armani Residences are located between levels 9 and 16.

5. How to book tickets for Burj Khalifa online?

Tickets can be booked online for At the Top Observation Decks, Sky Views, Dubai Fountain Water Experience, and Burj Club Brunch from the official website of the Burj Khalifa at https://www.burjkhalifa.ae/en/.

6. Can I live in Burj Khalifa?

Yes, you can live in this iconic tower as it has residential apartments of varying sizes, starting from studio apartments to one-bedroom, two-bedrooms, three-bedrooms, and four-bedroom apartments.

7. How many apartments are there in Burj Khalifa?

There are a total of 900 apartments inside the building.

8. How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Burj Khalifa?

The typical rent for a one-bedroom residential unit is about AED 130,000. A two-bedroom apartment can be rented at about AED 185,000 and a three-bedroom at about AED 345,000. (* This is based on our research. The actual amount may vary.)

9. Can I buy an apartment in Burj Khalifa?

Yes, you can buy an apartment in the skyscraper. A unit of 826 sq. ft has a price of about AED 2,700,000 while an apartment of 1,778 sq. feet area will cost approximately AED 5,199,888. You will need to speak to licensed realtors for the best prices as the rates will depend on the Level, view, area of the apartment, and other factors.

*Disclaimer – Please note that the prime and non-prime hours for all the sections vary from one another. So, please enquire with the official authorities before visiting. The ticket prices are subject to change and the listed price do not include the VAT and booking fees.