Multimillion-dollar cash flows have allowed the UAE to enter the list of the richest countries, and in this regard, residents and officials develop and manifest a craving for luxury. This fact was confirmed by the Burj Khalifa skyscraper (Dubai). The tower was built in record time – in 6 years. The finished project has collected many world records.
Burj Khalifa Skyscraper-general information
Burj Khalifa is called the main skyscraper on the planet. After the grand opening, the tower was dubbed Babel Tower, it was able to break two dozen world records.
Interesting to know! It is likely that quite soon the records of the Burj Khalifa building will be blocked, as the UAE is designing a new tower with a height of more than one kilometer.
Until the opening day, which took place in January 2010, the total height and number of floors of the tower was kept strictly secret. The actual height of the tower became known only at the opening of the attraction. The skyscraper visually resembles a stalagmite. The building was originally planned as a city within a city. The skyscraper cost the country’s budget approximately $ 1.5 billion.
The financial crisis has also affected the UAE. The original opening date was planned for 2009, however, due to material difficulties, the grand event was held in 2010. The ceremony was attended by the country’s Prime Minister, who noted that the majestic building should be called no less majestic. Therefore, it was decided to name the tower in honor of the great Caliph.
Inside there are residential apartments, a hotel, working offices, shopping areas, a restaurant, a sports hall and a Jacuzzi, swimming pools, two observation decks. The building has special membranes that perform a rather strange function-they aromatize the rooms throughout the tower. It is noteworthy that the fragrance was created individually for the skyscraper. The windows have double-glazed windows with the following qualities::
- prevent dust from entering the room;
- repel ultraviolet light;
- maintain a comfortable temperature regime.
Taking into account the size and weight of the structure, a specific brand of concrete was developed by individual order. The main operational characteristic is the ability to withstand temperatures up to +50 degrees. It is noteworthy that the solution was prepared at night, adding ice to it.
The tower has 57 elevators. The only elevator that goes up through all floors is a service elevator, which is inaccessible to guests and residents. The elevator speed in Burj Khalifa is 10 m/s.
The surrounding area is decorated to match the luxury skyscraper. Next to the entrance there is a fountain illuminated by six thousand lighting devices and five dozen colored spotlights. Musical accompaniment complements the overall impression of the attraction.
How the Burj Khalifa was built
The construction of the Burj Khalifa lasted six years. Weekly builders rented out one or two floors. The author of the luxurious, rich project is Adrian Smith. The main feature of the project is to create a sense of the city’s presence in the city – with an independent infrastructure, separate streets and park areas. Famous specialist Adrian Smith, who designed a skyscraper in China, worked on the architectural project, which became a challenge to the whole world.
The shape of the tower, which imitates a stalagmite, was not chosen by chance. This design is more stable and better resists wind gusts, which are quite strong at an altitude of 600 m. Special attention was paid to reducing energy consumption, so thermal panels were used to finish the facade. Their main task is to reduce electricity bills. Hanging piles with a length of 45 m were used to organize the foundation.How long was the Burj Khalifa built
Work on the project began in 2004. As a rule, 2 floors were put into operation weekly, but sometimes it was not possible to build one floor in 10 days. The reason for delays was most often the hot climate of the Emirates. As a rule, construction work was carried out at night.
12 thousand workers were involved in the construction of the skyscraper. Unfortunately, most of them lived in terrible conditions and received a meager salary. Given that the allocated budget was not enough, it was decided to reduce the cost of maintaining the labor force. Construction lasted six years and during this period, workers regularly staged strikes.
Interesting fact! The designers did not know until the last moment on which floor they would have to stop construction. Managers were afraid that the area of the skyscraper would be unclaimed, but 344 thousand square meters. m. were actively bought up by companies, organizations and individuals.
Technical specifications and architectural features
The technical equipment of the skyscraper not only meets the highest standards of quality and safety, but in some ways is ahead of them. The main difficulty for the designers was to achieve cooling of the building, because in summer the daytime temperature exceeds +50 degrees. Specialists have developed a special air-conditioning system for the skyscraper, taking into account climatic conditions – the air moves from the bottom up, while using sea water and special cooling structures.
Useful to know! The morning temperature inside the skyscraper is maintained at +18 degrees. In parallel with air conditioning, the air is flavored with special membranes.
A building is an energy-independent object. Thanks to solar panels located on the walls of the structure, the skyscraper is fully provided with electricity. In addition, electricity is generated by a huge turbine 61 m long.
Many people are interested in the question – how safe is it to be in a skyscraper and what will happen to visitors in the event of a natural disaster? As a result of numerous experiments and tests, it has been established that all residential buildings will be evacuated in just 32 minutes.
Despite its impressive size, height and weight, the structure stands firmly on the ground. Stability of the building is provided by piles with a diameter of 1.5 m and a length of 45 m. There are two hundred of them in total. Also, for greater strength, special counterweights are used-balls made of a mixture of steel and concrete weighing about 800 tons. The balls are fixed on springs, thanks to which they balance and neutralize vibrations of the structure.
Interesting to know! During strong winds, the Burj Khalifa Tower does not deviate several meters, but the risks of destruction are almost zero.
Given that there is a shortage of water in the UAE, the tower uses a modern method of collecting rainwater. Even condensate is collected – drops run down the pipes that lead to the tank. Thus, it is possible to collect 40 million liters of water daily, which is then used for irrigation.
The cleanliness of the windows and mirrored facade panels is maintained with the help of special twelve machines weighing 13 tons each, they move along the rail system. It is served by almost forty people.
Structure, internal layout
Inside, the Burj Khalifa is arranged as follows:
- the hotel has a capacity of 304 rooms (Armani personally worked on the design of each room);
- nine hundred apartments;
- office space.
In addition, there are shopping centers, night clubs, swimming pools, a mosque and an observatory on the floors of the Burj Khalifa. The tower also has technical rooms, covered parking with a capacity of more than three thousand cars. For greater convenience, the building has three entrances. Telecommunications networks are located on the very last floors.
At.Mosphere Restaurant
The restaurant in Burj Khalifa is the highest on the planet – 500 m (122 floor). The main concept of the institution is that the institution should represent a yacht in the sky, and in terms of service and comfort, it should evoke associations with a luxury yacht. The restaurant is located at an altitude of almost 500 m – 122 floor. Many visitors pay not for food,but for the view from the Burj Khalifa. The hall is designed for 200 people. As for the prices, they are, of course, high. However, to come to Dubai and not visit the restaurant in the tower would be a big mistake. Dinner with a spectacular view from the window at a height of half a kilometer is worth the money spent.
Modern French Art Deco is combined with classic and sophisticated elements. The restaurant is decorated with rich and decadent colors and textures, from velvet to leather, and dramatic accent walls, with lighting that intentionally enhances the space at any moment from dusk to dawn.
Kitchen
Sample the sommelier’s choice or enjoy epic culinary creations. The Wagyu menu with Dubai’s only Kobe beef or the 7-and 13-course tasting menu with seasonal and traditional French delicacies is just a small part of what you can enjoy.
Useful to know! Experienced visitors recommend ordering a steak from the chef.
The wine list includes fine wines from Australia and New Zealand. The wine is accompanied by the restaurant’s signature appetizer – a mix of nuts and wasabi, but the dish tastes rather strange. Seafood and fish treats are also available. If you want to try a dish cooked on the grill, the chefs will be happy to prepare it.
When planning a visit to a restaurant, be prepared to find yourself in the realm of luxury. The interior is stylish and modern, with glass walls and an expensive mahogany ceiling. The room is decorated with expensive accessories, and the walls are hung with expensive carpets.
Interesting fact! The restaurant has a telescope through which you can view the landscape in detail.
Practical recommendations:
- the restaurant has a dress code;
- you need to book a table in advance, because there are a huge number of people who want to visit the institution;
- many tourists note that the portions in the restaurant are small;
- it is best to book a table for the evening – 18-30-19-30, the best views are from the windows located opposite the bar counter;
- time to visit the restaurant: breakfast – from 7-00 to 11-00, lunch-from 12-30 to 16-00, dinner-from 18-00 to midnight;
- official website: www.atmosphereburjkhalifa.com.
Sightseeing platforms
The Dubai skyscraper has two platforms for viewing the city – this is important, since the price of visiting is different. In addition, it is better to choose a specific time to visit each tower.
- AT THE TOP – the Burj Khalifa observation deck is located on the 124th floor, one ticket also gives you the right to visit the closed observatory on the floor above;
- AT THE TOP SKY-one of the highest observation structures-is located on the 148th floor, the height of the observation deck in Burj Khalifa is 555 m.
Since its opening, the Dubai landmark has been fighting for world records. Initially, the upper tower was not included in the architectural plan, since the lower tower was enough for the world record. A year after the opening of the skyscraper in Dubai, Guangzhou completed the construction of a tower with a place for viewing the city at an altitude of almost 490 m. In the fall of 2014, the top platform was put into operation – a record again in Dubai.
Cost of the session:
- tickets to Burj Khalifa for the lower observation platforms (open and Observatory) – 169 AED from 8-00 to 15-30 and 19-00 to 00-00, in prime time (from 15-00 to 18-30) ticket price – 244 AED;
- comprehensive tickets for all observation platforms and the Observatory – 399 AED from 19-00 to 22-00 and 553 AED from 10-00 to 18-00. .
Armani Hotel in Burj Khalifa
The luxury Armani Hotel has 11 floors of the Dubai Tower. All apartments were designed by Giorgio Armani. At the disposal of vacationers: a separate entrance, a salon where you can take a course of spa treatments, a separate exit to the shopping premises of the Mall.
The main concept is refined elegance, soft lines and expensive textiles. There is also a TV, free Wi-Fi, and a DVD player. The hotel has seven restaurants, one of which offers a Japanese menu, and the Armani Privé restaurant offers popular parties.
Useful to know! Dubai International Airport is just 20 minutes ‘ drive away.
The rating of the hotel in the tower according to the reviews of Booking website users is 8.7. Guests note the excellent location of the hotel. The price of a double room per night is from $ 368 to $ 720, depending on the season.
Photo: Armani Hotel in Burj Khalifa.
Useful tips
- Tickets for the tower’s observation decks are sold at the ticket office, and you can also book them on the website. Why choose the second option? There is always a queue at the ticket office, only tickets for the lower platform are on sale, and it often happens that there are no tickets available. The next argument in favor of online booking is that tickets are much more expensive at the ticket office.
- You can book an online ticket 30 days before visiting the tower and viewing platforms. You can pay for it with bank cards.
- Admission is always free for children under the age of four, but children must be accompanied by an adult, so you can’t buy only a children’s ticket, you must also buy an adult ticket.
- In the tower, guests are offered special offers-combined tickets that grant the right to visit the observation deck with a music and light show of fountains or the observation deck with an Aquarium, and there is also a ticket that gives the right to visit without waiting in line.
- The Tower is entered through the Burj Khalifa. You need to follow the signs. Guests must leave their belongings in the storage room, and glass objects, pyrotechnics, paints and markers, and alcoholic beverages must not be brought into the tower. There is a dress code and face control at the entrance, and it is strictly forbidden to drink alcohol before the visit.
- There are several ways to get to the tower:
– metro-trains follow the red line to the tower, Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station;
– by bus —
– by taxi;
— by rental car.
Interesting facts
- The highest building on the planet is 828 m high. For comparison, the height of the structure in Shanghai is 632 m.
- If you think the exterior design of the tower is amazing, you just haven’t been inside the attraction. You will find luxury and richness in every detail.
- The tower was designed by an American, and the project was implemented by a company from South Korea – Samsung.
- The tower is the highest structure that can stand without additional supports, independently, equipped with the most high-rise elevator system.
- Six years were spent on the construction, and 12,000 workers worked on the site.
- 55 thousand tons of rebar and 110 thousand tons of concrete were spent on the tower. If you add up all the spent rebar, you can wrap it around a quarter of the Earth’s equator.
- The tower can withstand shocks of up to 7 points on the Richter scale.
- In the design of the building, the hymenocallis flower was used – the three wings of the skyscraper represent flower petals.
The skyscraper in Dubai is a futuristic project that combines modern technology and luxury inherent in the East. It is not surprising that this building has become a record holder in many respects. Undoubtedly, the landmark Burj Khalifa (Dubai) deserves your attention and visit.
