Burj Khalifa, formerly known as Burj Dubai, is the world's tallest structure at 829.8m. Construction started in 2004 and was completed in 2010. The design is influenced by Islamic architecture, featuring a Y-shaped floor plan to maximize space.
The Burj Khalifa's design is specifically engineered to withstand seismic activity, meeting the standards set for seismic Zone 2A in the Uniform Building Code (UBC, 97).
In 2003, 33 test holes were drilled to study the strength of the bedrock underlying the Burj Khalifa structure. The study found weak to very weak sandstone and siltstone just meters below the surface, posing a challenge for construction.
The construction of Burj Khalifa began on January 6, 2004, marking the beginning of the iconic skyscraper's development.
The design of the Burj Khalifa incorporates Islamic architectural style with a unique 'Y' shaped floor plan that gradually merges into a central core. The spiral pattern on the exterior reduces the building's width as it ascends, culminating in a minaret-like peak for a panoramic view.
Construction of the Burj Khalifa began on January 12, 2004, with the exterior completed on October 1, 2009. It was a significant milestone in the architectural and engineering world.
Construction of the tower of Halifax, later renamed Burj Khalifa, began as part of Dubai's efforts to diversify from an oil-based economy and gain international recognition. The decision to rename it was made in honor of Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the ruler of Abu Dhabi and the president of the United Arab Emirates.
In March 2005, the structural framework of the Burj Khalifa started to ascend, shaping the iconic silhouette of the future tallest building globally.
On March 21, 2006, around 2,500 workers protested at the Burj Khalifa construction site due to delayed buses. The protest led to damages to property and equipment, highlighting issues of worker rights and conditions.
On August 29, 2006, construction activities were ongoing for the building.
Construction work continued on November 11, 2006, towards completing the iconic structure.
On January 2, 2007, the construction of the building was in progress.
Construction activities were ongoing on January 3, 2007, as the building took shape.
On March 21, 2007, the construction work for the iconic Burj Khalifa in Dubai commenced, marking the beginning of the project that would lead to the creation of the world's tallest structure.
In May 2007, wind and other studies related to the Burj Khalifa were performed by RWDI.
Burj Khalifa surpasses Taipei 101 to become the tallest concrete building at 452 meters (1483 feet), showcasing Dubai's engineering prowess and architectural innovation.
On July 21, 2007, Burj Khalifa surpassed Taipei 101 to become the world's tallest building, reaching a height of 509.2 meters (1,671 feet) and reaching level 141.
Burj Khalifa surpasses the Sears Tower in height, solidifying its position as the tallest building in the world and a symbol of Dubai's ambition and modernity.
On September 12, 2007, Burj Khalifa became the world's tallest freestanding structure at 555.3 meters (1,822 feet), surpassing the CN Tower in Toronto and reaching level 150.
By December 4, 2007, significant progress had been made in the construction of the Burj Khalifa, further solidifying its position as a groundbreaking architectural marvel.
On March 11, 2008, a significant milestone was achieved in the construction work of the Burj Khalifa, showcasing the rapid progress of the project.
On April 7, 2008, Burj Khalifa surpassed the KVLY-TV Mast to become the tallest human-made structure at 629 meters (2,064 feet), reaching level 160.
The iconic spire along with the TV/radio mast was added to the Burj Khalifa on May 8, 2008, enhancing its architectural grandeur and functionality.
Emaar Properties announced on June 9, 2008, that the construction of Burj Khalifa was slowed due to changes in finishes. Luxury finishes decided in 2004 were being replaced with better finishes to enhance the appearance and functionality of the tower, including improvements in apartment designs.
On June 17, 2008, Emaar announced that Burj Khalifa's height exceeded 636 meters (2,087 feet) and that the final height would be revealed upon completion in September 2009.
On August 19, 2008, some interesting facts about Burj Dubai, now known as Burj Khalifa, were shared, highlighting the architectural marvel of one of the tallest buildings in the world.
On September 1, 2008, Burj Khalifa's height surpassed 688 meters (2,257 feet), making it the tallest human-made structure ever built, surpassing the Warsaw Radio Mast in Poland.
On 26 October 2008, Emaar announced that based on results of a naming contest the fountain outside the Burj Khalifa would be called the Dubai Fountain.
On January 17, 2009, Burj Khalifa topped out at a height of 829.8 meters (2,722 feet).
Putzmeister's role in the construction of Burj Dubai, now known as Burj Khalifa, was highlighted on March 23, 2009, showcasing the innovative concrete conveying technology used in the project.
Homes Overseas announced the opening date of Burj Dubai, set to happen on 1st August 2009.
Construction of the Burj Khalifa was completed on October 1, 2009, marking the official finish of the world's tallest building.
The official opening of the iconic Burj Dubai was announced by Gulf News.
Due to various issues like problems with marble decorations, flooring, sanitation system, glasswork, and a wall mural, a new ending date of December 2, 2009, was set for the construction of Burj Khalifa.
The Hindu reported that Burj Dubai was set to open the next day, with the final height still undisclosed.
EMAR real estate company in Dubai, United Arab Emirates announced that the height of the tower has reached 629 meters, surpassing the American kvly TV Tower with a height of 628.8 meters, becoming the world's tallest building.
An outdoor observation deck named At the Top opened on 5 January 2010 on the 124th floor of the Burj Khalifa, offering visitors a stunning view from 452 m (1,483 ft) above the ground.
The observation deck at Burj Dubai, now known as Burj Khalifa, was opened to the public on January 6, 2010, allowing visitors to enjoy panoramic views of Dubai from one of the tallest buildings in the world.
On January 8, 2010, Nasr Al Niyadi and Omar Al Hegelan broke the world record for the highest BASE jump from a building by leaping from a crane-suspended platform attached to the 160th floor of a building at 672 meters. They descended at a speed of up to 220 km/h and opened their parachutes 10 seconds into the jump.
On 8 February 2010, the observation deck of the Burj Khalifa was closed for two months after an elevator malfunction trapped tourists for 45 minutes.
On March 10, 2010, the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat certified Burj Khalifa as the world's tallest building.
The Armani Hotel in Burj Khalifa, occupying 15 of the lower 39 floors, opened to the public on 27 April 2010 after several delays.
On March 28, 2011, Alain 'Spiderman' Robert scaled the outside of Burj Khalifa, taking six hours to climb to the top of the spire while using a rope and harness to comply with safety laws.
On May 10, 2011, a tragic incident occurred where an Asian migrant worker jumped to his death from the 147th floor of the Burj Khalifa. The worker took his life due to issues with his company preventing him from leaving the country.
Information on the elevators at the Burj Khalifa project by Otis Worldwide was archived on June 10, 2012.
Eight years ago, Dubai's iconic tower was announced to have swinging platforms, providing a unique and thrilling experience for visitors.
On April 21, 2014, Vince Reffet and Fred Fugen broke the Guinness world record for the highest BASE jump from a building by leaping from a specially designed platform at the very top of a pinnacle at 828 meters.
On 15 October 2014, the Burj Khalifa opened the 148th floor SKY level at 555 m (1,821 ft), regaining the title of having the highest observation deck in the world.
A controversial incident took place on November 16, 2015, when a Portuguese tourist reportedly fell to her death from the 148th floor of the Burj Khalifa. The circumstances surrounding her fall were disputed by Dubai police and Portugal's embassy.
A fact sheet detailing information about Burj Khalifa was released on June 19, 2018, providing insights into the architectural and engineering marvel of the world's tallest building.
On February 18, 2019, the Burj Khalifa opened The Lounge observatory at 584 m (1,916 ft), becoming the highest lounge in the world.
On July 11, 2020, the highest restaurant at Dubai's Burj Khalifa was opened, offering guests a unique dining experience with panoramic views of the city from the iconic skyscraper.