Burj Khalifa’s Grand Vision

World’s tallest building. A living wonder. Stunning work of art. Incomparable feat of engineering. Burj Khalifa is all that. In concept and execution, Burj Khalifa has no peer.

More than just the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa is an unprecedented example of international cooperation, symbolic beacon of progress, and an emblem of the new, dynamic and prosperous Middle East.

It is also tangible proof of Dubai’s growing role in a changing world. In fewer than 30 years, this city has transformed itself from a regional centre to a global one. This success was not based on oil reserves, but on reserves of human talent, ingenuity and initiative. Burj Khalifa embodies that vision.

Mr Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman, Emaar Properties, said: “Burj Khalifa goes beyond its imposing physical specifications. In Burj Khalifa, we see the triumph of Dubai’s vision of attaining the seemingly impossible and setting new benchmarks. It is a source of inspiration for every one of us in Emaar. The project is a declaration of the emirate’s capabilities and of the resolve of its leaders and people to work hand in hand on truly awe-inspiring projects. 

Emaar had but one inspiration, the unflagging enthusiasm set in motion by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who inspires us to reach for the stars.

Bringing Burj Khalifa to life required a combination of visionary ideals and solid science. In the process, the project amassed an awe-inspiring number of facts, figures, and statistics.

World Records
At over 828 metres (2,716.5 feet) and more than 160 stories, Burj Khalifa holds the following records:

•  Tallest building in the world

•  Tallest free-standing structure in the world

•  Highest number of stories in the world

•  Highest occupied floor in the world

•  Highest outdoor observation deck in the world

•  Elevator with the longest travel distance in the world

•  Tallest service elevator in the world

Tallest of the Supertall
Not only is Burj Khalifa the world’s tallest building, it has also broken two other impressive records: tallest structure, previously held by the KVLY-TV mast in Blanchard, North Dakota, and tallest free-standing structure, previously held by Toronto’s CN Tower. The Chicago-based Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) has established 3 criteria to determine what makes a tall building tall. Burj Khalifa wins by far in all three categories. 

Height to architectural top
Height is measured from the level of the lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance to the architectural top of the building. This includes spires, but does not include antennae, signage, flagpoles or other functional-technical equipment. This measurement is the most widely used and is used to define the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat rankings of the Tallest Buildings in the World.
            
Highest occupied floor
Height is measured from the level of the lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance to the highest continually occupied floor within the building. Maintenance areas are not included.
           
Height to tip
Height is measured from the level of the lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance to the highest point of the building, irrespective of material or function of the highest element. This includes antennae, flagpoles, signage and other functional-technical equipment.

The Park
Inspired by Burj Khalifa’s unique triple-lobed shape, The Park’s 11 hectares of greenery and water features serve as both entry to Burj Khalifa and outdoor living space. The landscape design includes three distinct areas to serve each of tower’s three uses: hotel, residential and office space. These exquisite grounds include a promenade along the Dubai lake, outdoor spaces, outdoor dining, prow lookout, leisure forest grove, playing area, water features and much more.

The three spaces are located at the hotel entry, residential entry and the grand terrace. The tower and pedestrian pathways link the three areas. Spectacular stone paving patterns welcome visitors at each entry. The main entry drive is circled with a palm court, water features, outdoor spaces and a forest grove above. The grand terrace features garden spaces, all-around pedestrian circulation, custom site furnishings, a functional island and a lake edge promenade. The grand water terrace is composed of several levels that step down towards the lake’s edge. The water terraces provide further visual interest by reflecting the tower on their surfaces. The landscape design includes six major water features: the main entry fountain, hotel entry fountain, residential entry fountain, the grand water terrace, children’s fountain pool and the sculptural fountain.

Green Irrigation
The gardens are partly irrigated with water collected through Burj Khalifa’s Condensate Collection System. Hot and humid Dubai outside air, combined with the tower’s cooling requirements result in a significant amount of condensation of moisture from the air. This water, stored in the basement car park, provides about 15 million gallons of supplemental water per year, the equivalent to nearly 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Downtown Dubai

Downtown Dubai, Emaar’s flagship project in Dubai. At the centre of the community lies the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa, an architectural and engineering masterpiece, offering premium residential, office and retail space and houses the world’s foremost luxury Armani Hotel.

Step into a zone of relaxed luxury at Burj Khalifa’s elegantly designed ‘sky lobbies’
June 16th 2011: Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building developed by Emaar Properties, is redefining the aesthetics and luxurious comfort of everyday living through its sky lobbies, specially designed public spaces that offer residents and visitors a relaxed lifestyle experience.

Located on levels 43, 76 and 123 of Burj Khalifa, the sky lobbies are design marvels that provide residents a diverse array of leisure options. The sky lobbies have distinctive architectural and design elements assuring a unique experience for the users. The sky lobbies lead to a range of lifestyle amenities including state-of-the-art fitness facilities to swimming pools, Jacuzzis and recreational amenities, and also serve as ideal venues for get-togethers and receptions.

Mr Ahmed Al Matrooshi, Managing Director, Emaar Properties, said: “Burj Khalifa’s promise of offering residents the true experience of a ‘vertical city’ is being further strengthened with the sky lobbies. With several hundred residents having moved into their homes in the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa is today a vibrant lifestyle community. The sky lobbies serve as community centres located at spectacular heights for residents who can socialize or simply unwind in the comfort of the sky lobbies.”

Further celebrating the Middle Eastern thematic inspirations that characterize the interior design of Burj Khalifa, the sky lobbies too have been fashioned by drawing on the local heritage. The motifs and design concepts used are distinctively Arabesque while the amenities are best-in-class.

Express elevators transport residents and visitors to the sky lobbies on Level 43 and 76, where they are welcomed at an elegantly designed greeting station. Opening to spectacular views of the city and beyond, the lobbies do not have window coverings; instead wooden slats create a screen that filters light and provides a sense of privacy. The design inspiration here is unmistakably derived from the traditional Musharabia.

The floors are in silver travertine limestone to custom-designed carpets. Arab calligraphy inspired free-flow designs are characteristic of the background. Classic century lounge chairs designed by Nichos Zographos are standard, and a furnished event room and fully-equipped kitchen with glass back splashes and white marble countertops, a glass top table, and classic, leather covered chairs by Cassina add to the convenience of visitors.

A specially designed corridor serves as the entry into two Amenity Spas located on Level 43 and 76, featuring whimsically shaped ceiling covers, glossy mosaic tiles, and back lit glass plank flooring, that simulate the effect of ‘walking on water.’ The Amenity Spas include indoor/outdoor polls, outdoor sundecks, whirlpools, juice bars, separate exercise and massage rooms for men and women and locker rooms.

The sky lobby on Level 123 is accessed by the express double deck elevator which opens to two spacious lounges – one for Commercial Suites staff and the other for residents. Custom-made lounge seating offers the convenience of hosting group meetings and a mini-library is a quiet haven for repose. The lobby features marble floors, silver travertine and wenge wood walls, elaborate wood ceiling with dramatic lighting, and specifically selected art pieces to accentuate the ambience.

A fully-established lifestyle community with world-class homes, office space and the world’s first Armani Hotel Dubai, Burj Khalifa, 828 metres (2,716.5 ft) high, is at the heart of Downtown Dubai, the 500-acre mega development by Emaar Properties, described as ‘The Centre of Now.’ The most definitive lifestyle development in the city, Downtown Dubai features two malls – The Dubai Mall and Souk Al Bahar.