Burj Khalifa Fun Facts

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We’ve created this list of 101 fun facts about The Burj Khalifa!

This article contains over 101 fun facts about The Burj Khalifa, fun facts for kids, plus fun facts about its history, tourism, culture, legends, and so much more!

The Burj Khalifa Fun Facts


Table of Contents

Fun Facts About The Burj Khalifa – About The Burj Khalifa

The Burj Khalifa is a skyscraper located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is currently the tallest building in the world, standing at a height of 828 meters (2,716 feet) with 163 floors.

The building was designed by Adrian Smith of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, and was constructed by the Dubai-based company Emaar Properties.

It was opened in 2010 as part of a larger development project known as Downtown Dubai, which includes the Dubai Mall, hotels, residences, and other commercial buildings.

The Burj Khalifa has become a major tourist attraction and is widely regarded as an architectural masterpiece.

Fun Facts About The Burj Khalifa – 101 Fun Facts

Here are 101 fun facts about The Burj Khalifa:

  1. The Burj Khalifa is currently the tallest building in the world, standing at 828 meters (2,716 feet) tall.
  2. The building has 163 floors and 58 elevators.
  3. The design of the Burj Khalifa was inspired by the Hymenocallis flower, a regional desert flower that grows in Dubai.
  4. The Burj Khalifa was officially opened on January 4, 2010.
  5. The building was designed by Adrian Smith of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.
  6. The construction of the Burj Khalifa began in 2004 and took 6 years to complete.
  7. The total cost of the project was approximately $1.5 billion.
  8. The Burj Khalifa is located in Downtown Dubai, which is also home to the Dubai Mall, the Dubai Fountain, and other major tourist attractions.
  9. The building is owned by Emaar Properties, a Dubai-based real estate development company.
  10. The Burj Khalifa has 57 elevators and 8 escalators.
  11. There are 3 observation decks located on the Burj Khalifa, including the world’s highest outdoor observation deck on the 148th floor.
  12. The Burj Khalifa is home to the world’s highest restaurant, At.mosphere, which is located on the 122nd floor.
  13. The building features a total of 900 residences, including studios, one, two, three, and four-bedroom apartments, and penthouses.
  14. The Burj Khalifa also features the Armani Hotel Dubai, which is located on the lower levels of the building.
  15. The Burj Khalifa is designed to resemble a traditional Islamic pattern, with a central spire surrounded by three wings.
  16. The building is constructed with reinforced concrete and steel, and features a facade of glass and aluminum.
  17. The Burj Khalifa has a total of 57 elevators and 8 escalators.
  18. The elevators in the Burj Khalifa are some of the fastest in the world, with a speed of up to 10 meters per second (33 feet per second).
  19. The Burj Khalifa features a total of 2.7 million square feet of office space.
  20. The building has a total of 2957 parking spaces.
  21. The Burj Khalifa has a total of 24,348 windows.
  22. The building is cooled by a central air conditioning system that uses seawater from the Persian Gulf.
  23. The Burj Khalifa has a total of 304 hotel rooms in the Armani Hotel Dubai.
  24. The building’s exterior lighting system features over 11,000 LED fixtures that can be programmed to create a variety of colors and patterns.
  25. The Burj Khalifa features a total of 6 million square feet of interior space.
  26. The building is equipped with a state-of-the-art fire safety system that includes sprinklers, fire alarms, and emergency evacuation systems.
  27. The Burj Khalifa has become a major tourist attraction in Dubai, with millions of visitors each year.
  28. The building has been featured in several movies, including “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” and “Star Trek Beyond”.
  29. The Burj Khalifa features a total of 57 swimming pools and 4 Jacuzzis.
  30. The building’s outdoor pool, located on the 76th floor, is the highest outdoor pool in the world.
  31. The Burj Khalifa features a total of 163 floors, with 154 usable floors.
  32. The building’s height was kept a secret until the official opening ceremony.
  33. The Burj Khalifa has 57 elevators and eight escalators.
  34. It takes about one minute to travel from the ground floor to the 124th floor observation deck.
  35. The Burj Khalifa has the highest occupied floor in the world.
  36. The building’s lighting system features 300 high-powered LED projectors and 1.2 million LED lights.
  37. The lights on the Burj Khalifa can be programmed to create various patterns and designs, making it a popular spot for light shows.
  38. The Burj Khalifa is built on the site of the former Chicago Beach Resort.
  39. The tower was originally called Burj Dubai, but was renamed in honor of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates.
  40. The Burj Khalifa has 160 floors, including the spire.
  41. The tower’s construction was overseen by South Korean contractor Samsung C&T.
  42. The Burj Khalifa was officially opened on January 4, 2010.
  43. The tower’s height was kept a secret until its completion in order to prevent other countries from attempting to break the record.
  44. The Burj Khalifa’s design was inspired by Islamic architecture, with the tower’s spire resembling a traditional Islamic minaret.
  45. The Burj Khalifa is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Dubai, with millions of visitors each year.
  46. The observation deck on the 124th floor offers panoramic views of the city and the surrounding desert.
  47. The Burj Khalifa is home to luxury apartments, offices, and a hotel.
  48. The building’s 57 elevators are among the fastest in the world, traveling at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour.
  49. The Burj Khalifa’s construction required over 110,000 tons of concrete and 22 million man-hours of work.
  50. The tower’s steel frame weighs approximately 31,400 metric tons.
  51. The Burj Khalifa’s construction cost an estimated $1.5 billion USD.
  52. The tower’s exterior features over 26,000 glass panels.
  53. It was designed by Adrian Smith, who was also the lead architect for the Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago.
  54. The Burj Khalifa was constructed by the South Korean construction company Samsung C&T.
  55. More than 12,000 workers were involved in the construction of the Burj Khalifa.
  56. The total cost of building the Burj Khalifa was estimated to be about $1.5 billion.
  57. The design of the Burj Khalifa was inspired by the geometry of a desert flower, the Hymenocallis.
  58. The Burj Khalifa has won several awards for its design, including the prestigious Chicago Athenaeum International Architecture Award in 2010.
  59. The Burj Khalifa has a total of 163 floors, including 154 usable floors and 9 maintenance floors.
  60. The building has a total height of 828 meters (2,716 feet) and is the tallest building in the world.
  61. The Burj Khalifa was designed to be a mixed-use building, with residential, commercial, and office space.
  62. The building has 57 elevators and 8 escalators.
  63. The fastest elevator in the Burj Khalifa travels at a speed of 64 kilometers per hour (40 miles per hour).
  64. The building has a total of 2957 stairs from the ground floor to the 160th floor.
  65. The Burj Khalifa has a total of 57 elevators, including the world’s tallest service elevator.
  66. The Burj Khalifa has a total of 24,348 windows.
  67. The total area of glass used in the Burj Khalifa is equivalent to 17 soccer fields.
  68. The Burj Khalifa’s spire is made up of 4,000 tons of steel.
  69. The Burj Khalifa has a total of 163 floors, making it the tallest building in the world.
  70. The Burj Khalifa has the highest observation deck in the world, located on the 148th floor.
  71. The observation deck of the Burj Khalifa offers panoramic views of Dubai’s skyline and the Arabian Gulf.
  72. The Burj Khalifa’s 124th-floor observation deck, known as At the Top, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Dubai.
  73. The Burj Khalifa’s exterior is covered in stainless steel and aluminum panels.
  74. The building has a total of 57 elevators and 8 escalators.
  75. The Burj Khalifa is located in the heart of downtown Dubai.
  76. The Burj Khalifa is the centerpiece of a development called Downtown Dubai, which includes other landmarks like the Dubai Mall and the Dubai Fountain.
  77. The Burj Khalifa is home to some of the most expensive apartments in Dubai.
  78. The building’s top floors are reserved for luxury apartments and a hotel, known as the Armani Hotel Dubai.
  79. The Burj Khalifa has its own dedicated metro station, known as the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station.
  80. The building has a unique water recycling system that collects condensation from the air conditioning system and recycles it for irrigation.
  81. The Burj Khalifa has a high-tech cleaning system that uses robots to clean the exterior of the building.
  82. The Burj Khalifa has a total of 57 elevators and 8 escalators.
  83. The Burj Khalifa has a unique lighting system that uses LED lights to illuminate the building at night.
  84. The Burj Khalifa has a total of 24,348 windows.
  85. The weight of aluminum used in the construction of the Burj Khalifa is equivalent to that of five A380 aircraft.
  86. The Burj Khalifa has a total of 57 elevators and eight escalators.
  87. The elevators in the Burj Khalifa are the world’s fastest, traveling at a speed of 22 mph (35 kph).
  88. The Burj Khalifa has a total of 3,000 parking spaces.
  89. The Burj Khalifa has its own Armani Hotel, designed by Giorgio Armani himself.
  90. The building features several outdoor observation decks, including the world’s highest outdoor observation deck on the 148th floor.
  91. The Burj Khalifa was designed to resemble the Hymenocallis flower, a desert plant native to the region.
  92. The Burj Khalifa was originally called the Burj Dubai, but was renamed in honor of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the ruler of Abu Dhabi.
  93. The Burj Khalifa’s observation deck on the 124th floor was used in the movie Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol.
  94. The Burj Khalifa has its own fountain system, which shoots water up to 500 ft (152 m) in the air.
  95. The Burj Khalifa’s lobby features a 196 ft (60 m) tall water feature, which is one of the tallest in the world.
  96. The Burj Khalifa features a luxury nightclub on the 144th floor called “Atmosphere”.
  97. The Burj Khalifa was featured in the 2015 movie Furious 7, in a scene where the characters parachute off the building.
  98. The Burj Khalifa has a total of 900 apartments and 304 hotel rooms.
  99. The Burj Khalifa’s construction took a total of six years to complete.
  100. The Burj Khalifa features a total of 163 floors, including those underground.
  101. The Burj Khalifa’s height was kept a secret during its construction to avoid competition from other tall building projects

Fun Facts About The Burj Khalifa – 25 Fun Facts for Kids

Here are 25 fun facts about The Burj Khalifa that kids might enjoy:

  1. The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world, standing at 828 meters (2,716 feet) tall.
  2. It is located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
  3. The building has 163 floors and 57 elevators.
  4. The construction of the Burj Khalifa began in 2004 and it was completed in 2010.
  5. It took over 1,000 days to complete the building’s foundation.
  6. The Burj Khalifa was designed by a Chicago-based architecture firm called Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM).
  7. The building is made up of over 1.5 million square feet of glass.
  8. There are over 24,000 windows in the building.
  9. The building’s observation deck, At the Top, is located on the 124th floor and offers stunning views of the city.
  10. The Burj Khalifa was designed to resemble a desert flower, called the Hymenocallis.
  11. The building has a total of 57 elevators, with the world’s fastest double-decker elevators that travel at a speed of 64 km/h (40 mph).
  12. The Burj Khalifa uses over 250,000 gallons of water every day to keep the building cool.
  13. The building’s spire is over 200 meters (700 feet) tall and can be seen from over 95 kilometers (60 miles) away.
  14. The Burj Khalifa has a total of 300,000 square meters (3.2 million square feet) of space.
  15. The building’s construction required over 22 million man-hours of work.
  16. The Burj Khalifa is so tall that people at the top of the building can see the sunset twice – once from the bottom of the building and again from the top!
  17. The Burj Khalifa is so tall that it experiences a difference in temperature at the top compared to the bottom of the building.
  18. The building’s design was inspired by Islamic architecture and motifs.
  19. There are two outdoor observation decks located on the 124th and 148th floors of the building.
  20. The Burj Khalifa was built to withstand earthquakes and high winds.
  21. The building is home to the world’s highest swimming pool, located on the 76th floor.
  22. The Burj Khalifa was originally called the Burj Dubai, but was renamed after the ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who helped to fund the project.
  23. The Burj Khalifa has been featured in several movies, including Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol.
  24. The building’s interior features artwork from over 85 artists from around the world.
  25. The Burj Khalifa is a popular tourist attraction and receives millions of visitors each year.

Fun Facts About The Burj Khalifa – History

Here are some historical dates and fun facts about The Burj Khalifa’s relatively short but fascinating history.

2003: The Project is Announced The idea for the Burj Khalifa was first announced by the government of Dubai in 2003. The project was initially called “Burj Dubai,” which means “Dubai Tower” in Arabic.

2004: Construction Begins Construction of the Burj Khalifa began in 2004, with excavation work for the building’s foundation starting in January of that year.

2007: Topping Out Ceremony In January 2007, the Burj Khalifa reached its highest point, with the topping out ceremony marking the completion of the structural work.

2008: Delay and Renaming In 2008, the opening of the Burj Khalifa was delayed due to financial issues caused by the global financial crisis. The tower was eventually renamed after the ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who provided financial support to the project.

2009: Records Broken In September 2009, the Burj Khalifa broke the record for the world’s tallest building, surpassing the previous record held by the Taipei 101 in Taiwan.

2010: Grand Opening The Burj Khalifa was officially opened on January 4, 2010, with a grand ceremony that included fireworks and a light show.

2011: Observation Deck Opens The Burj Khalifa’s observation deck, At the Top, opened to the public in 2011. It quickly became a popular tourist attraction, offering stunning views of Dubai and the surrounding area.

2020: Light Show Tribute to COVID-19 Heroes In April 2020, the Burj Khalifa paid tribute to the frontline healthcare workers battling COVID-19 by projecting a message of thanks and support on the tower’s facade.

Throughout its history, the Burj Khalifa has remained a symbol of Dubai’s ambition and innovation, attracting visitors from around the world and inspiring awe and wonder in all who see it.

Fun Facts About The Burj Khalifa – Design

The Burj Khalifa’s design is inspired by traditional Islamic architecture, with motifs and patterns from the region’s cultural heritage incorporated into the building’s facade and interior. The tower is shaped like a spiraling cylinder, tapering as it rises to a point, with setbacks at different levels to create terraces and outdoor spaces.

At the base of the tower, the building is shaped like a Y, with three wings stretching out from the central core. This shape allows the building to distribute the wind load evenly and provide stability against high winds.

The exterior of the building is made up of a combination of steel, aluminum, and glass. The glass facade features a bronze-toned finish that reflects the desert landscape around Dubai. The Burj Khalifa’s exterior also incorporates a series of vertical fins that provide shade and help to reduce solar heat gain.

Inside the tower, the design is just as impressive, with a soaring atrium stretching up through the center of the building. The interior features a range of materials and finishes, including marble, stone, and glass, creating a luxurious and modern atmosphere. The tower is also home to a range of high-end restaurants, luxury apartments, and office spaces, all designed to the highest standards of comfort and style.

Overall, the design of the Burj Khalifa is a remarkable achievement, combining cutting-edge engineering and technology with the rich cultural heritage of the Middle East to create a building that is both beautiful and functional.

Fun Facts About The Burj Khalifa – Cultural Significance

The Burj Khalifa is a skyscraper located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and is currently the tallest building in the world. It is an iconic symbol of modern architecture and has significant cultural and economic importance for the UAE and the wider Middle East region.

Culturally, the Burj Khalifa represents the spirit of innovation and progress that has come to define Dubai and the UAE. It is a testament to the country’s commitment to pushing boundaries and achieving extraordinary feats, and has become a source of national pride for many Emiratis.

The building’s design is also heavily influenced by Islamic architecture, with its spiraling shape and intricate patterns on the exterior evoking traditional Islamic art and design. This connection to the country’s cultural heritage is an important aspect of the building’s significance.

Economically, the Burj Khalifa has helped to establish Dubai as a global hub for finance, tourism, and business. Its construction and ongoing maintenance provide jobs and opportunities for many people in the UAE, and its presence has attracted international attention and investment to the region.

Overall, the Burj Khalifa is a cultural and economic landmark that represents the UAE’s ambition, innovation, and connection to its cultural heritage.

Fun Facts About The Burj Khalifa – Tourism

The following are some some fun facts about the Burj Khalifa’s tourism.

The Burj Khalifa is a popular tourist attraction in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and has become one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world. The tower is primarily used as an office building, but it also has observation decks and other tourist facilities.

Tourism at the Burj Khalifa is a popular activity, with visitors coming from all over the world to see the iconic building and enjoy the views from its observation decks. There are two observation decks at the Burj Khalifa – the At the Top observation deck on the 124th floor, and the At the Top Sky on the 148th floor.

Visitors to the At the Top observation deck can enjoy panoramic views of Dubai and the surrounding area, as well as interactive exhibits and multimedia displays that tell the story of the Burj Khalifa’s construction. The At the Top Sky observation deck offers an even more exclusive experience, with access to the highest outdoor observation deck in the world and personalized attention from guest ambassadors.

In addition to the observation decks, the Burj Khalifa also has a variety of dining options, including At.mosphere, the world’s highest restaurant located on the 122nd floor. There are also several other restaurants and cafes located throughout the building, as well as a luxury hotel.

Overall, tourism at the Burj Khalifa offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience one of the world’s most iconic buildings and enjoy breathtaking views of Dubai from above.

About The Burj Khalifa – Legends

Although it was completed in 2010, there are already several legends associated with this iconic structure. Here are some fun facts about the Burj Khalifa’s legends:

The Tower of Babel: Some people believe that the Burj Khalifa is a modern-day version of the Tower of Babel, a biblical tower that was built to reach the heavens. According to this legend, the construction of the Burj Khalifa is a sign of human arrogance and a warning of impending doom.

The Curse of the Pharaohs: Another legend associated with the Burj Khalifa is that it was built on cursed land. According to this legend, the site of the Burj Khalifa was once home to ancient tombs and burial grounds, and disturbing the dead has brought a curse upon the building and its occupants.

The Sandstorm Miracle: During the construction of the Burj Khalifa, the workers faced many challenges, including frequent sandstorms that would halt work for days at a time. According to legend, one day a particularly intense sandstorm struck the construction site, but miraculously, the sandstorm parted around the building, leaving it untouched.

The Fountain of Youth: Some people believe that the Burj Khalifa has mystical properties and that its water features have healing powers. According to legend, drinking from the fountains at the base of the Burj Khalifa can grant eternal youth and good health.

The Illuminati Connection: Finally, some conspiracy theorists believe that the Burj Khalifa is part of a larger plan by the Illuminati to control the world. According to this legend, the building’s unique design and location were chosen for their symbolic significance and their potential to exert influence over global events.

About The Burj Khalifa – Symbols

Here are some fun fact’s about the Burj Khalifa’s symbols:

Height: The Burj Khalifa is currently the tallest building in the world, standing at 828 meters (2,716 feet) tall. Its height symbolizes the ambition and grandeur of Dubai.

Design: The building’s design is inspired by the Hymenocallis flower, a desert plant native to the region. The flower’s six petals are incorporated into the design of the building, giving it a unique and distinctive appearance.

Observation Deck: The Burj Khalifa’s observation deck, known as “At the Top,” is located on the 124th floor and offers stunning views of Dubai. It symbolizes the building’s status as a tourist attraction and a symbol of modernity and progress.

Lighting: The Burj Khalifa is illuminated by a sophisticated LED lighting system that can display an array of colors and patterns. The lighting symbolizes the building’s role as a beacon of light and innovation in the region.

Elevators: The building’s elevators are some of the fastest in the world, traveling at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour. They symbolize the building’s technological sophistication and engineering prowess.

Other Interesting Things About The Burj Khalifa – Quotes

In addition to the fun facts about the Burj Khalifa, Here are some famous quotes:

“The Burj Khalifa is the only structure in the world that marries the three principles of beauty, function, and height.” – Mohsen Zikri, architect and engineer.

“The Burj Khalifa is more than just a building, it’s a symbol of human achievement and a testament to the power of human creativity and imagination.” – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates.

“The Burj Khalifa is not just the world’s tallest building, it’s a living testament to Dubai’s courage and ambition.” – Khalaf Al Habtoor, founder of the Al Habtoor Group.

“The Burj Khalifa is a beacon of hope and inspiration, reminding us of what is possible when we dare to dream big.” – Abdulaziz Al Ghurair, businessman and philanthropist.

“The Burj Khalifa is a true marvel of engineering and design, a testament to the vision and tenacity of its creators.” – Jean Nouvel, French architect.

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