Tall tales

Today is a big day for Dubai. The Burj Khalifa, developed by Emaar Properties, will open on the fourth anniversary of the accession of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

And the truth be said. "Sheikh Mohammed inspired us to build Burj Dubai as the world's tallest building. When we initially planned Burj Khalifa, it was only a 90-storey structure. On presenting the blueprint to His Highness, he asked us a simple question: 'Why stop there?' That question was the inspiration for us to build the tallest tower in the world," Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman, Emaar Properties, told Emirates Business.

The Burj Khalifa will now be measured from the lowest of its three main entrances (which opens into the entrance lobby for the tower's corporate suite office function) by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH). This means that the height will increase further. Guesses are 818m, 828m or the rumoured 888m…

Numbers notwithstanding, this contemporary Gothic supertall tower will be the tallest building in the world for a long time to come...

An Emirates Business 24-7 Burj Khalifa Speshial 

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