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Live Blog: Burj Dubai Inauguration
- PUBLISHED: Mon 4 Jan 2010, 8:00 PM UPDATED: Mon 6 Apr 2015, 2:22 PM
An amazing show of lights and soundswirling around Burj Khalifa enthrals the audience with one of the best inauguration ceremonies in the history.
It seems as if millions of human hands open with the sparkling vision to embrace the altitude of success.
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Reporter: Ani
Location: Burj Dubai
Time:8.27 PM
A breathtaking presentation of the Rise of Dubai was indeed amazing.
Reporter: Abdul Basit
Location: Burj Dubai
Time:8.18 PM
Shaikh Mohammed renames Burj Dubai to Burj Khalifa
Reporter: Abdul Basit
Location: Burj Dubai
Time:8.01 PM
Shaikh Mohammed has inauguated the Burj Dubai. Now its time for celebrations as skydivers carrying the UAE national flag descend on the site
Reporter: Abdul Basit
Location: Burj Dubai
Time:8.00 PM
There's no point going to Sharjah if everyone wants to watch the inauguration of the Burj Dubai. This is the first time that I haven't seen anybody complaining about the traffic. They are all happy to be stuck.
Reporter: Sajjad
Location: Sheikh Zayed Road
Time:7.47 PM
There's no point going to Sharjah if everyone wants to watch the inauguration of the Burj Dubai. This is the first time that I haven't seen anybody complaining about the traffic. They are all happy to be stuck.
Reporter: Sajjad
Location: Sheikh Zayed Road
Time:7.47 PM
The Nakheel Harbour station is completely jammed with commuters trying to get in. Have been waiting here for a while and it seems it will take some time before I can get in.
Reporter: Gita Rajan
Location: Nakheel Harbour
Time:7.47 PM
Shaikh Mohammed's arrival has added to the excitement. Everyone now knows that the historic moment is near.
Reporter: Abdul Basit
Location: Burj Dubai
Time: 7.12 PM
I don't think anyone really cares for the chill in the atmosphere. Everyone is focussed on the going-ons. The idea is not to miss anything. There's a huge media contingent from all over the world at the site. Every little square inch of standing space has been taken up and the crowds are still streaming in.
Reporter: Abdul Basit
Location: Burj Dubai
Time: 7.12 PM
The sight of Burj Dubai is awesinspiring. The multitudeshave thronged the site to witness the firework display which will mark the inauguration of the tallest man made structure in the world.
Reporter: Abdul Basit
Location: Burj Dubai
Time: 7.10 PM
“None of the gates is yet opened, and the audience is most likely expected to be allowed in by 5:30pm.”
Reporter: Ahmed Shaaban
Location: Burj Dubai
Time: 5:12 PM
The Dubai Fountain adds Inshed An Aldar – a brand new song on the occasion of the inauguration of Burj Dubai on Monday.
Reporter: Gita Rajan
Location: Burj Dubai
Time: 5:10 PM
A top police officer said that all the roads leading to the three gates of the Burj Dubai are still open.
Reporter: Ahmed Shaaban
Location: Burj Dubai
Time: 4:30 PM
Apparently it took 22 million man hours to build the Burj. Interesting.That's edu-tainment - lots on offer info-wise on the tour of the Burj.
Reporter: Adam Zacharias
Location: Burj Dubai
Time: 10:30 AM
In the car snaking my way to the office. The memory of the view in my head – priceless
Reporter: Gita Rajan
Location: Burj Dubai
Time: 10:10 AM
Fast elevators - now that's they way of the future. They make your ears pop.
Reporter: Adam Zacharias
Location: Burj Dubai
Time: 10:05 AM
Back in the elevator going down. And I'm handed my super-imposed photograph on my way out.
Reporter: Gita Rajan
Location: Burj Dubai
Time: 10:00 AM
Check out the At The Top store for souvenirs. The tees are probably the best buy. Not sure about the teddy bear and the gold medallion – very Mr T.
Reporter: Gita Rajan
Location: Burj Dubai
Time: 9:50 AM
I just discovered how they clean the windows of the Burj
Reporter: Adam Zacharias
Location: Burj Dubai
Time: 9:46 AM
We are told that nearly 288 people are expected to visit the Burj Dubai every hour. This is one of the few moments when you understand why it pays to be a journalist.
Reporter: Gita Rajan
Location: Burj Dubai
Time: 9:35 AM
Looking down from the 124th storey of the Burj Dubai, the people look like ants. Weirdly enough, the ants look like people.
Reporter: Adam Zacharias
Location: Burj Dubai
Time: 9:32 AM
Mr Al Abbar arrives and the madness begins. Photographers stand on chairs and reporters surround the man-of-the-hour with a barrage of questions. Lots of pushing and shoving as the PR try their best to keep journalists from tripping over him. He must feel so much taller today!
Reporter: Gita Rajan
Location: Burj Dubai
Time: 9:30 AM
I've never seen a media scrum quite like this. The representatives from Emaar are walking into something resembling a rugby game more than a press conference.
Reporter: Adam Zacharias
Location: Burj Dubai
Time: 9:22 AM
Reporter: Adam
Mr Al Abbar is expected to arrive for a press briefing. The entire floor is packed as international and local newshounds wait patiently.
Location: Burj Dubai
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Burj Dubai
Time: 8:25 AM
Jaw-dropping views, nose-pressed-to-glass and silence as TV crew is stunned by the awe-inspiring views. So this is what it feels like to be the king of the tower.
Location: Burj Dubai
Time: 8:20 AM
Walk quickly through multimedia presentations of the history of Dubai and step into the elevator which transports you in a flash (even Superman would be impressed!) to the 124th floor.
Location: Burj Dubai
Time: 8:15 AM
The tour begins as we are led through an airport style security gate. A quick photograph against a green backdrop (your image will be superimposed against a nightshot of the Burj) which will be ready for you when you leave the building
Reporter: Gita Rajan
Location: Burj Dubai
Time: 8:01 AM
The Burj Dubai is still relatively sleepy at 8am. You can bet your bottom dollar it won't be like this later...
Reporter: Adam Zacharias
Location: Burj Dubai
Time: 8:00 AM
Arrive at the Dubai Mall for the media preview of what's probably the most anticipated event of the century! Everyone is queuing up to check their accreditation and the air is redolent with a faint smell of freshly brewed coffee – and talk of the 160 storeys and 57 lifts. Love the excitement!