Burj Khalifa, Skyscraper in Downtown Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Burj Khalifa is an 828-metre reinforced-concrete tower on Sheikh Zayed Road in Downtown Dubai. Its Y-shaped plan sets three wings around a buttressed central core that carries the lifts, and the wings step back as they rise. The spire adds 242.6 metres, bringing the total to 829.8 metres.
Construction began on 12 January 2004, and the exterior was finished on 1 October 2009; the tower opened on 4 January 2010 as the centrepiece of Downtown Dubai. It was known as Burj Dubai until the inauguration, when Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid renamed it for Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose federal support helped Emaar Properties through the Great Recession. The last major facility opened on 23 January 2011.
Offices, residences, and the Armani Hotel share a complex where thousands live and work each day. Visitors from across the region gather around the base to take photographs and stroll through the surrounding shopping corridors.
The Red Line metro reaches Dubai Mall station, connected by pedestrian bridge to the entrance. Avoid midday visits in summer when outdoor temperatures regularly exceed 113 degrees Fahrenheit (45 degrees Celsius) and make later exploration uncomfortable.
A condensation collection system harvests moisture from air conditioning units throughout the building, recovering around 4 million gallons (15 million liters) each year. This recycled water supplies irrigation for landscaping around the base and reduces reliance on desalinated municipal sources.
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