- 6,000 invited guests to watch dramatic inauguration ceremony
- Live broadcast on Dubai TV and several international channels
Burj Dubai, the world’s tallest building, will open today (January 4, 2010) in a carefully orchestrated ceremony before a crowd of thousands. Developed by Emaar Properties, Burj Dubai is the focal point of the 500-acre master planned community Downtown Burj Dubai.
A giant screen on Burj Park Island, as well as several television screens placed across Downtown Burj Dubai including the Waterfront Promenade, will broadcast the inauguration in real-time. Hundreds of international media, including Dubai TV, will report live from the scene. The public can watch at the inauguration ceremony from the Waterfront Promenade adjacent to The Dubai Mall.
A short film will be shown followed by an integrated display of fountain performances, fireworks and searchlight beams that tell the story of Burj Dubai, from concept to reality The inauguration’s coup de grace will be a spectacular firework display conducted on and around the tower illuminating the entire Downtown Burj Dubai area.
Mr. Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties, said that the inauguration of Burj Dubai is a public event because the tower is a source of pride for the whole UAE community. The Burj Dubai now belongs to the people of Dubai and the UAE.
“Burj Dubai touches everyone in Dubai and the UAE, as well as the millions of people who visit this great city and country every year. The inauguration of Burj Dubai is therefore an occasion for the people; a celebration of their achievements.â€
He said: “Burj Dubai is another demonstration of Dubai’s ability to achieve what few people thought possible. The tower is a global icon. Moreover, it represents the determination and optimism of Dubai as a truly world city. It is a powerful symbol for the entire Arab world.â€
A festive atmosphere will mark Downtown Burj Dubai throughout the day on January 4, with a variety of activities taking place themed on UAE culture and heritage. There will be traditional music and theatre, handicrafts, and Emirati cuisine will be served. A traditional Emirati wedding will also be held.
Burj Dubai is over 800 metres (2,625 ft) tall and has more than 160 storeys, the most of any building in the world. Besides an observation deck on its 124th floor affording 360-degree views of the entire city, Burj Dubai is home to the world’s first Armani Hotel, luxury offices and residences, and a variety of other sophisticated leisure and entertainment facilities.
Burj Dubai will ultimately be the place of residence, work and leisure for a community of up to 12,000 people.
Burj Dubai World Records
Burj Dubai, at over 800 metres (2,625 ft) and more than 160 storeys, holds the following world records:
- Tallest building in the world – surpassing Taipei 101 in Taiwan, which at 508 metres (1,667 ft) held the title since it opened in 2004.
- Tallest man-made structure in the world – surpassing the height of the KVLY-TV mast in North Dakota in the United States, which stands at 628.8 metres (2,063 ft)
- Tallest free-standing structure in the world – breaking the 31-year-old record of the CN Tower, which stands at 553.33 metres (1,815.5 ft)
- Largest number of storeys in the world – more than 160
- Highest occupied floor in the world – Level 160
- Highest outdoor observation deck in the world – Level 124
- Vertically pumping concrete over the greatest distance – 600 metres, beating the previous record of 448 metres (1,470 ft) set by Taipei 101
- Highest service elevator – 504 metres (1,654 ft), higher than Taipei 101’s service lift, which reaches 448 metres, and nearly one-and-a-half times higher than the elevator in the Empire State Building in New York, which travels as high as 381 metres
- Highest installation of an aluminium and glass façade
- Highest swimming pool – the pool on Level 76 at Burj Dubai is more than 260 metres (853 ft) above ground
Burj Dubai Milestones
Excavation started     January 2004
Piling started       February 2004
Superstructure started    March 2005
Level 100Â Â Â Â Â Â January 2007
Level 110 Â Â Â Â Â Â March 2007
Level 120Â Â Â Â Â Â April 2007
Level 130Â Â Â Â Â Â May 2007
Level 141 (world’s tallest building)   July 2007
Level 150 (world’s tallest free-standing structure) September 2007
Level 160 (world’s tallest man-made structure) April 2008
Completion of spire and topping out   January 2009
Exterior cladding completed    September 2009
Tower inauguration     January 4, 2010
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Note to Editors
About Burj Dubai:
A mixed-use tower featuring the world’s first Armani Hotel Dubai and Armani Residences, alongside corporate suites, residences, retail and leisure facilities, Burj Dubai is at the centre of Downtown Burj Dubai, a 500-acre mega-development by Emaar Properties. Among an array of lifestyle amenities, the tower will have a public observation deck – At the Top, Burj Dubai – on level 124.
Described as the new heart of Dubai, Downtown Burj Dubai encompasses The Dubai Mall, one of the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destinations; several hotels; offices and homes. A stellar attraction within the community is The Dubai Fountain, the world’s tallest performing fountain.
At over 800 metres (2,625 feet), the Burj Dubai has already achieved the distinction of being the world’s tallest structure surpassing the KVLY-TV mast (628.8 metres; 2,063 ft) in North Dakota, USA. The tower is taller than Taipei 101 in Taiwan, which at 508 metres (1,667 ft) has held the tallest-building-in-the-world title since it opened in 2004. Burj Dubai also surpassed the 31-year-old record of CN Tower, which at 553.33 metres (1,815.5 ft) has been the world’s tallest free-standing structure on land since 1976.
Designed by Chicago-based Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM), Burj Dubai is constructed by high-rise experts South Korea’s Samsung Corporation. New York-based Turner Construction International is the project and construction manager. The tower employs the latest in wind engineering, structural engineering, structural systems, construction materials and construction methods. For more information, please visit: www.burjdubai.com
About Emaar Properties PJSC:
Emaar Properties PJSC, listed on the Dubai Financial Market, is a global property developer with a significant presence in key markets world-wide. Besides building residential and commercial properties, the company also has proven competencies in shopping malls & retail, hospitality & leisure, education, healthcare and financial services sectors.
Emaar is set to inaugurate Burj Dubai, the world’s tallest building and free-standing structure, and has opened The Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destination. In Saudi Arabia, Emaar is developing King Abdullah Economic City, the region’s largest private sector-led project in Saudi Arabia, featuring a Sea Port, Central Business District, Industrial Zone, Educational Zone, Residential Communities and Resort District.
Emaar has joined hands with Giorgio Armani to strengthen its presence in hospitality. The company is also opening educational institutions and healthcare centres in South Asia, Middle East and North Africa and the Subcontinent.
Emaar holds 30 per cent equity in Dubai Bank, focused on retail and commercial banking. Emaar is also the large
