Construction of the Burj Khalifa began in January 2004.
It holds several world records, such as the title of tallest building, tallest freestanding structure, and more.
When we think of Dubai, the first thing that comes to mind is the Burj Khalifa. This magnificent skyscraper is known for its great height that captures the imagination of all who see it. Its construction must have posed significant challenges due to Dubai's sandy landscape, where the stability of buildings is a concern. Whether you've seen it in person or on television or social media, its iconic sight is sure to be unforgettable. But do you know who owns this skyscraper in Dubai? And do you know what company built it? Many people might be surprised by the answers.
Facts about the Burj Khalifa
Construction began in January 2004 and the exterior was completed five years later in 2009. It stands an impressive 828 meters (2,716.5 feet) tall and has 163 floors. It was officially opened in January 2010. It holds several world records, such as the title of tallest building, tallest free-standing structure, highest number of floors, highest occupied floor, tallest open-air observation deck, longest lift distance. tour and the highest service elevator.
In addition to being the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa has also broken two other major records: the tallest structure, which was formerly the KVLY-TV mast in North Dakota, and the tallest free-standing structure, which replaces the Tower Toronto CN.
Who owns it and who built it?
The Burj Khalifa is owned by Emaar Properties, a real estate development company owned by Mohamed Kajoor Alabbar. But it was built by three major companies, including Samsung C&T of South Korea, Arabtech of the United Arab Emirates and BESIX of Belgium.
Emaar is one of the largest real estate companies in the world and is known for several large-scale projects, including the Dubai Mall, the planned Dubai Creek Tower and the Dubai Fountain.
The Burj Khalifa was designed with sustainability in mind. Each year it collects 15 million gallons of water, which is managed and used to water the building's plants. One of the most amazing facts about the Burj Khalifa is that the top of the skyscraper is visible from 95 kilometers away.
