January 4, 2010: In an elaborate ceremony today, Dubai officially unveiled the world’s tallest building: the Burj Khalifa. Standing 828 meters (2,717 feet) tall, the skyscraper will house a host of superlatives. The New York Times reports: “It will have the world’s first Armani hotel; the world’s highest swimming pool, on the 76th floor; the highest observation deck, on the 124th floor; and the highest mosque, on the 158th floor.”
Previously known as the Burj Dubai, the building’s name was changed, in a rather suprising move, during the opening ceremony. The skyscraper is now dubbed after the United Arab Emirates’ president and Abu Dhabi ruler, Sheik Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Less than six weeks ago, Abu Dhabi pumped billions of bailout funds into Dubai. Take a look at our previous photo gallery of the other excesses and contradictions of the city-state.
Newscom/Peter Kneffel
Newscom/Peter Kneffel
December 29, 2009: A worker washes the skyscraper’s facade a week before its official opening. According to the The Sydney Morning Herald, an Australian company, Cox Gomyl, is contracted to clean the monolith’s 24,000 windows.
Newscom/Zuma Wire
Newscom/Zuma Wire
December 29, 2009: Several of the migrant laborers that worked on the building take a break near its base.
Newscom/Zuma Wire
Newscom/Zuma Wire
The Burj Khalifa dwarfs other skyscrapers across the globe in both size and energy consumption.
Newscom/AFP
cc: jrodmanjr
January 4, 2010: Onlookers await the evening celebrations that will mark the opening of the building.
Newscom/Peter Kneffel
Newscom/Peter Kneffel
cc: citronate
