Science & Environment
Meet The Owner And Builders Of Burj Khalifa, The…
The Construction of Burj Khalifa began in January 2004.
It holds several world records such as the title of the tallest building, tallest free-standing structure and more.
When thinking about Dubai, the first thing that comes to our mind is Burj Khalifa. This magnificent skyscraper is known for its tall height that captures the imagination of all who see it. Building it must have posed significant challenges due to Dubai’s sandy landscape, where the stability of buildings is a concern. Whether you’ve seen it in person or on television and social media, its iconic view is surely unforgettable. But do you know who owns this skyscraper in Dubai? And do you know which company built it? Many people might be surprised by the answers.
Facts About Burj Khalifa
The construction began in January 2004 with the exterior completed five years later in 2009. It stands at an impressive 828 meters (2,716.5 feet) and boasts 163 floors. It was officially inaugurated in January 2010. It holds several world records such as the title of the tallest building, tallest free-standing structure, highest number of stories, highest occupied floor, highest outdoor observation deck, elevator with the longest travel distance and the highest service elevator.
Apart from being the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa has also broken two other major records: The tallest structure, which was previously the KVLY-TV mast in North Dakota and the tallest free-standing structure, replacing Toronto’s CN Tower.
Who Owns It And Who Constructed?
The Burj Khalifa is owned by Emaar Properties, a real estate development company owned by Mohamed Kajoor Alabbar. But it was built by three major companies including Samsung C&T of South Korea, Arabtech of the United Arab Emirates and BESIX of Belgium.
Emaar is one of the largest real estate companies in the world and is known for several large-scale projects including the Dubai Mall, the planned Dubai Creek Tower and the Dubai Fountain.
The Burj Khalifa was designed with sustainability in mind. Every year, it collects 15 million gallons of water, which is managed and used to irrigate the building’s plants. One of the most surprising facts about the Burj Khalifa is that the tip of the skyscraper is visible from 95 kilometres away!
