What began as a 141-foot hole in the ground six years ago now stretches 2,717 feet (828 meters) into the Gulf sky. The Burj Dubai now takes over the top spot as the tallest building in the world. As the world awaited the opening ceremony this morning, word quickly spread of a last minute name change. The new name of the tower will be the Burj Khalifa Dubai. Hummm? Wonder if it just coincidence this happens to be the name of Abu Dhabi ruler, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is also the country’s president. The same gentleman who authorized a $10 billion bailout of Dubai’s largest state owned conglomerate. Naaa that’s crazy talk!!
Designed by Adrian Smith, formerly with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), the Chicago-based engineering and construction firm behind the project took 12,000 workers only 1325 days to complete. The $1.5 billion tower includes 160 stories of mixed use development including office space, residential units, two swimming pools on the 43rd and 76th floors and a mosque on the 158th floor.
The Burj Khalifa Dubai is especially intriguing to slender wallet. Not only is it an iconic piece of architecture it’s a great buy! Residential space is selling at 40% below its opening market price. If this is a little to risky for you, starting tomorrow you can take a tour to the 124th floor for only $27.00. Lastly, in September, I was lucky enough to place the winning bid at the aiadc art of architecture auction for an original sketch of the tower by Smith (sharpie on dinner napkin) Bidders anyone??
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- Orginal sketch by Smith
