Although construction still continues on interior floors, the Burj skyscraper in Dubai officially opens it doors to the public today. The event will be marked by a dazzling fireworks and laser display after dark.
At 168 stories, it is the world’s tallest building and has broken countless records since construction began in late 2004, becoming the world’s tallest freestanding structure with the highest occupied floor, highest outdoor observation deck, and longest-traveling elevator.
UPDATE: Apparently this tower has just been renamed “Burj Khalifa” by the ruler of Dubai. Strange. The official height was announced as 828 meters.
UPDATE #2: I’ve added a couple of pictures. One is a graphic that details the tower’s infrastructure. The last is from today’s firework display.
Thanks, Wan!
Road Trip!!! Ooops, I mean “Plane Trip!!!”
Seriously, we should plan a group outing :-)
How cool would that be?!
@ JimT: Great idea!!
I’m there. as long as I don’t have to wash the outside of the windows…
@ Randomability: I hear you! The observation deck would be enough of a challenge for me.
It’s a nice looking building, unfortunately no union labor was used to build it. Instead they used laborers from Pakistan mostly I think. These people were little more than slaves to build these construction projects in Dubai.