The Burj Khalifa, standing at an impressive 828 meters, is the tallest building in the world and an internationally recognized symbol of Dubai.
Designed by architect Adrian Smith of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, and completed in 2010, the building’s form tapers upward as it rises, creating a series of setbacks that enhance its aerodynamic stability while giving the tower its characteristic, elegant silhouette. The area surrounding the Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai, was developed to complement the tower and includes The Dubai Mall, one of the largest shopping centers in the world, and The Dubai Fountain, a choreographed water display set on the artificial Burj Khalifa Lake.
Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai
Constructed primarily of reinforced concrete with a facade of reflective glass, aluminum, and stainless steel, the Burj Khalifa shimmers in the Dubai sun, its glass panels reflecting the sky by day and glittering with lights by night.
Burj Khalifa and sculpture by eL Seed in front of the Dubai Opera
Burj Khalifa
Burj Khalifa at night
The building comprises 163 floors, housing luxury residences, corporate suites, hotel spaces, restaurants, and viewing decks. The At the Top, Burj Khalifa observation deck, located on the 124th floor, and At the Top SKY on the 148th floor provide visitors with panoramic views of the surrounding desert, coastline, and cityscape.
At the top - interior
At the top - exterior
views from At the top
The Global Angel Wings Project by American visual artist Colette Miller has graced the top of the Burj Khalifa since 2018 with its striking hand-painted wings. Launched in Los Angeles in 2012, the project has since gone global, with wings appearing in Kenya, Australia, Japan and many other locations around the world.
Global Angel Wings Project
A spiral staircase connecting levels 124 and 125 was added in 2016. The 36 stairs, white oak staircase offers views of the surroundings through its 700 square meters of windows !
spiral staircase between levels 124 and 125
white oak stairs
views from the staircase
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