9 Incredible Details About the Burj Khalifa

While Texas is known for its grand scale, Dubai takes things to a whole new level. This futuristic city thrives on pushing boundaries and embracing the extraordinary in every endeavor.

As the UAE's largest and most vibrant city, Dubai boasts the iconic Burj Khalifa, the tallest building globally. Recently, it made headlines by hosting Ghidorah, Mothra, Rodan, and Godzilla—the legendary creatures from the newest Godzilla movie, Godzilla: King of the Monsters.

Discover nine fascinating facts about this architectural marvel.

1. The Burj Khalifa towers at twice the height of the Empire State Building.

Soaring to an impressive 2716.5 feet, the Burj Khalifa claimed the crown as the world's tallest building, surpassing Taipei’s Taipei 101. Taipei 101, which held the record from 2004 to 2010 at 1667 feet, now stands as the 10th tallest globally, while the Burj Khalifa remains unrivaled.

2. Constructing the Burj Khalifa spanned five years.

The construction of the Burj Khalifa was a monumental project, employing up to 12,000 workers daily at its peak. This immense workforce enabled the structure to rise quickly, with excavation starting in January 2004 and the exterior completed by October 2009. The building officially opened its doors to the public on January 4, 2010.

3. The Burj Khalifa's design was inspired by a flower.

Adrian Smith, the architect of the Burj Khalifa, drew inspiration from the Spider Lily, a desert flower native to the region, to shape the building's unique design.

4. The Burj Khalifa features an extensive art collection.

With its vast interior, the Burj Khalifa boasts an impressive art collection, showcasing over 1000 pieces by renowned artists, particularly from the Middle East. Many of these works were specially commissioned to complement the building's grandeur.

5. The Burj Khalifa’s architecture can be admired from miles beyond Dubai.

One of the most striking features of the Burj Khalifa is its “telescopic” spire, crafted from over 4000 tons of steel. On clear days, this spire is visible from as far as 60 miles away.

6. The spire of the Burj Khalifa sparks debate among architects.

While the Burj Khalifa’s spire is iconic and serves a practical purpose by housing communication equipment, it remains a contentious topic in architectural discussions, much like spires on other skyscrapers.

In 2013, the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat in Chicago released a report criticizing “vanity spires,” arguing that these non-functional additions artificially inflate building heights. The report revealed that 60 percent of the world’s tallest buildings would lose their status without spires. For the Burj Khalifa, this would mean a reduction of 700 feet in height.

7. The Burj Khalifa boasts one of the world’s fastest elevators.

Given its status as the tallest building globally, the Burj Khalifa ensures swift movement for its visitors. Its elevators, ranking third globally with a speed of 22 mph, can transport guests from the ground floor to the 124th-floor observation deck in just one minute.

8. The Burj Khalifa has set multiple world records.

Beyond being the tallest building, the Burj Khalifa has secured several other world records. According to CNN, these include the tallest freestanding structure, the most stories, and the highest occupied floor.

9. The Burj Khalifa’s reign as the tallest building may soon end.

The Burj Khalifa has held the title of the world’s tallest building for nearly a decade, but its position is now challenged by another ambitious project in Dubai. Construction on the Jeddah Tower began in 2013, aiming to surpass the Burj Khalifa by approximately 236 feet—if it ever reaches completion.

Initially slated for completion by 2020, the Jeddah Tower has faced numerous delays and challenges, pushing its expected finish date to 2023. This grants the Burj Khalifa a few more years to retain its “world’s tallest” status.