Sky is not the limit

Burj Dubai is another demonstration of Dubai's ability to achieve what few people thought was even possible.

The tower is a global icon. It represents the determination and optimism of Dubai as a truly world city. It is a powerful symbol for the entire Arab World, said Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties, the developer.

"Burj Dubai touches everyone in Dubai and the UAE, as well as the millions of people who visit this great city and country every year. The inauguration of Burj Dubai is therefore an occasion for the people; a celebration of their achievements," he said on the eve of the grand inauguration of the iconic tower.

Alabbar said the inauguration of Burj Dubai is a public event because the tower is a source of pride for the whole UAE community.

"The Burj Dubai now belongs to the people of Dubai and the UAE."

It features the world's first Armani Hotel Dubai and Armani Residences, alongside corporate suites, residences, retail and leisure facilities, Burj Dubai is at the centre of Downtown Burj Dubai.

Among an array of amenities, the tower will have a public observation deck – At the Top, Burj Dubai – on level 124.


World records

- Burj Dubai, at more than 800 metres (2,625 ft) and more than 160 storeys, holds the following records:

- Tallest building in the world – surpassing Taipei 101 in Taiwan, which at 508 metres (1,667 ft) held the title since it opened in 2004.

- Tallest man-made structure in the world – surpassing the height of the KVLY-TV mast in North Dakota in the United States, which stands at 628.8 metres (2,063 ft)

- Tallest free-standing structure in the world – breaking the 31-year-old record of the CN Tower, which stands at 553.33 metres (1,815.5 ft)

- Largest number of storeys in the world – more than 160

- Highest occupied floor in the world – Level 160

- Highest outdoor observation deck in the world – Level 124

- Vertically pumping concrete over the greatest distance – 600 metres, beating the previous record of 448 metres (1,470 ft) set by Taipei 101

- Highest service elevator – 504 metres (1,654 ft), higher than Taipei 101's service lift, which reaches 448 metres, and nearly one-and-a-half times higher than the elevator in the Empire State Building in New York, which travels as high as 381 metres

- Highest installation of an aluminium and glass façade

- Highest swimming pool – the pool on Level 76 at Burj Dubai is more than 260 metres (853 ft) above ground


Milestones

- Excavation started in January 2004

- Piling started in February 2004

- Superstructure started in March 2005

- Level 50 in June 2006

- Level 100 in January 2007

- Level 110 in March 2007

- Level 120 in April 2007

- Level 130 in May 2007

- Level 141 (world's tallest building) in July 2007

- Level 150 (world's tallest free-standing structure) in September 2007

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