World’s tallest tower opens; renamed Burj Khalifa

World’s tallest tower opens; renamed Burj Khalifa

The world's tallest building, now renamed Burj Khalifa, was inaugurated...

January 4, 2010 10:05 by kippreport

The world’s tallest building, now renamed Burj Khalifa, was inaugurated in a bright and colorful ceremony by Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid al-Maktoum on Monday night. Amidst a major display of fireworks, water and sound effects witnessed by thousands of people, the height of the tower was finally revealed to be 828 meters.

Sheikh Mohammed announced that the tower, earlier called Burj Dubai, was renamed after Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed, president of the UAE and ruler of Abu Dhabi.

According to Mohammed Ali Alabbar, Emaar’s chairman, it cost about $1.5 billion to build the tower, which has 160 floors and an observation deck on the 124^th floor.

Tags: burj Dubai, Burj Khalifa, tallest building

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10 Comments

B. Chacko on January 5, 2010 7:12 am

Dubai proved once again that ‘impossible is nothing”!
What a grand show it put up for the launch of Burj D..
ahem…Khalifa.
But I was really really saddened by the sudden rebranding.
It really deserved to be called ‘Burj Dubai’; after all that
Dubai endured to be where it is today in spite of what many may say.
Basel A-Shaban on January 5, 2010 8:28 am

What a fantastic opening for a magnificent structure. Job well done Dubai. I learned that for the cost of AED 210 for an adult (less for a child), you can take a tour of the Burj including visiting the observatory deck at the 124th floor. The price is excellent and I am sure the tour and the experience will be worth every penny. What will make this offer even better is to have a website where visitors can book and purchase their tickets online eliminating the need to wait for a long time in line for tickets. Dubai pride is alive and well.
Miss Anne Thropic on January 5, 2010 8:35 am

Chacko, I’m guessing the “Burj Khalifa” name is part of the price Dubai is paying for the $10 billion bailout from Abu Dhabi, Did you really think that bailout was going to be handed over out of the goodness of Sheikh Khalifa’s heart?
jack on January 5, 2010 12:26 pm

100 Dirhams is a bit too much for this tour. They should atleast halve the price so that common people can visit it…everybodys not as rich as the oil pundits in this country…
Vlad Fomin on January 5, 2010 4:33 pm

I must correct you that the tower has 160 floors that can be inhabitated and the rest are for service use. the total number of floors is over 200 floors. the rumors say that the reason of the rename is because of the $10 billion dollars that abudhabi gave to dubai to help out during difficult times or the financial crisis
Andrew on January 6, 2010 6:47 pm

That’s almost $60, Basel, that’s a shocking price!

Most of the world’s most famous landmarks are either free, or have a small nominal fee.
DeniseTheMenace on January 7, 2010 10:53 am

To andrew and Others : On the “High” fee for visitors to the Burj-Khalifa, think about the concept of ROI and you have your answer (hopefully!!)
Keep Smiling , in any case !!!!1 And to all readers here….Have a Great and Better 2010…….
Andrew on January 7, 2010 1:42 pm

I was actually thinking more of a graph mapping the inverse proportionately of the price versus the mugs willing to pay it.
Thought on January 10, 2010 10:15 am

Burj Khalifa- bailout deal or not but the thing may be due to mindless constuction on/off shore projects like those man made islands.
When one passes through sheikh zayed Rd. or the Jumeirah Rd., finds tall structures’ coming up for WHOM?
sumi on December 10, 2011 5:57 pm

wow…
nice article…
but i thot dat they renamed it something else cuz the King of abu dhabi bought it…
mayb i wuz wrong