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Dubai's Burj Khalifa turns nine: 50 facts you didn't know
Dubai - The Burj Khalifa pocketed two Guinness World Records for the laser and light show on New Year's Eve.
- By
- Web Report
We all know that the Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world. There's no hiding the fact as it dominates the Dubai skyline.
It's also the welcome sight for many expats who arrive in the country as the structure can be seen from as far as 92km. Those are not the only two facts in this list. And since it's going to be a really long list, we might as well get started. That being said, here are 50 lesser known facts about the Burj Khalifa
1. 4th of January marks the anniversary of Burj Khalifa. Today, the structure marks its ninth anniversary since its inauguration in 2010.
2. With the laser and light show forNew Year's Eve, the Burj Khalifa earned two Guinness World Records: "Largest illuminated facade and Tallest LED-illuminated facade on December 31, 2018.
Last year, on December 2018, 'Light Up 2018', the New Year light show at the Burj Khalifa, clinched the Guinness World Records title for the 'largest light and sound show on a single building'.
The record beats that set in Hong Kong in 2013 on the ICC Building which was over an area of 46,641.52 sq metres. 'Light Up 2018' on Burj Khalifa, by contrast, spanned an impressive surface area of 109,252 sq metres (about 27 acres, the size of about 20 football fields) - more than double that of the earlier record set.
3. The design of the building was inspired by the Spider Lily, a regional desert flower
4. There is no check-in desk at the reception because Giorgio Armani wanted visitors to feel that they were stepping into his home.
5. The Burj Khalifa comprises 1.85 million sq ft of residential space and 300,000 sq ft of office space. It also has health and wellness facilities, four pools and two observation decks.
6. The lobby of the residences at the Burj is decked with an installation called 'World Voices'. It incorporates 196 cymbals with water dropping on them.
7. The Burj houses the world's tallest art gallery with commissioned works from over 85 artists.
8. The entrance of the offices is adorned by with a stone sculpture design by Egyptian artist Karim Rashid.
9. It took 12,000 workers to build the Burj Khalifa at any given time.
10. Most of the entire Downtown Dubai district came to life alongside the Burj.
17. The construction used three of the world's largest cranes, able to lift a capacity of 25 tonnes.
18. It is home to the world's first Armani Hotel.
19. The tower's landscaped areas are divided into three sections - residences, offices and hotel.
20. Tom Cruise climbed the structure for Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. The same stunt was parodied by The Simpsons.
21. It is made of 330,000 cubic metres of concrete, 39,000 m/t of reinforced steel; 103,000 sqm of glass and 15,500 sqm of embossed stainless steel.
22. It took 22 million man hours to bring the Burj Khalifa to life.
23. It's the tallest building three ways: Height to architectural top, height to highest occupied floor and height to tip.
24. High-compressive strength concrete mixes were used to keep the record height together.
25. It took six years, from excavation to its worldwide televised reveal on January 4, 2010.
26. Mechanical, electrical and plumbing services were developed during the designing of the tower.
27. The building's water system supplies about 946,000 litres of water every day.
28. The total amount of concrete used in the construction would equal the weight of 100,000 elephants.
29. The façade is lit by a series of stroboscopes that can be individually programmed.
30. The corridor to the spa in each Sky Lobby uses glass and lighting that evokes the feeling of walking on water.
31. 26,000 hand-cut glass panels make up the exterior of the Burj.
32. All essential equipment to keep the Burj going is houses every 30 floors.
33. The superstructure is supported by 3.7 metres thick reinforced concrete.
34. When you make your way At The Top, you go through a journey detailing the story behind the tower.
35. There are traditional abras that ply the waters of the Dubai Fountain
36. The interiors of the residences represent facets of Middle Eastern culture such as calligraphy and the slopes of sand dunes.
37. More than 30-onsite contracting companies came together to build the structure.
38. The gardens are watered using condensation from the air-conditioning systems as well as the atmosphere.
39. The Burj Khalifa can hold up to 10,000 people at any given time.
40. The viewfinders around the observation decks show Dubai before much of the development took place.
41. 40 wind tunnel tests were conducted on the Burj to ensure its structural safety.
42. It was initially known as Burj Dubai before His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai revealed its official title - Burj Khalifa.
43. The Burj is maintained via 18 permanently installed cradles. It takes three to four months to clean the entire tower
44. It is home to the world's fastest double deck elevators.
45. The highest library in the world is located where else? Level 123
46. On a foggy day, being on the observation decks evoke a feeling of standing above the clouds.
47. To celebrate Expo 2020, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, hoisted the UAE flag at the tip of the Burj.
43. The Burj is maintained via 18 permanently installed cradles. It takes three to four months to clean the entire tower
44. It is home to the world's fastest double deck elevators.
45. The highest library in the world is located where else? Level 123
46. On a foggy day, being on the observation decks evoke a feeling of standing above the clouds.
47. To celebrate Expo 2020, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, hoisted the UAE flag at the tip of the Burj.
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