At over 2716 feet (828 metres) and 160 stories, the Burj Khalifa is quite the structure. It was a collaboration of 30 on-site contractors from all over the world.
Construction began in 2004 and was completed in 2009, officially opened in January 2010. Total cost: about $1.5 billion.
{what's inside}
37 office floors on the highest levels
observation deck on level 124
fine dining restaurant on level 122
900 residences on levels 19 to 108
Armani Hotel and Residences on lowest levels
57 elevators
Its Y-shaped footprint which maximizes views, is organically inspired by the regional desert flower, the hymenocallis with its petals extending from a central stem...
riding up the high-speed elevator {59ft/second}, ears popping...
the At the Top observation deck on level 124 is part open, part enclosed...
if any of you have ever wondered what an aerial view of Dubai looks like, here's a peek...
Every day there are fountain shows choreographed to music, similar to what you see at the Bellagio in Las Vegas...
It would have been cool to be able to see more of the inside of the tower but high security only allows access directly up to the observation deck. Surprisingly, I didn't feel nearly as queasy as I thought I might at that height. Definitely something you need to do while in Dubai.
lisa
[all pics with my iPhone; hymenocallis via wikipedia]