By the thinkBIG Team
There's no doubt that in Dubai, they like to do things big and the Burj Khalifa is no exception.
Burj Khalifa is the world's tallest building and a feat of engineering genius. The 500-acre self-contained megadevelopment by Emaar Properties anchors Downtown Dubai and offers luxurious recreational and leisure facilities including four swimming pools, an exclusive residents' lounge and health and wellness facilities.
At.mosphere is the world's highest fine dining restaurant at Level 122 and At the Top, the world's highest observatory deck with an outdoor terrace on Level 124.
Burj Khalifa facts:
Over 800 metres tall • 160+ floors
57 elevators and 8 escalators
More than 26,000 glass panels
Mr. Thomas Dempsey, general manager, Burj Khalifa, says, "The panoramic views are like those from an airplane, such is your height above ground. There is also plenty to take in before you step into the elevators to the 124th floor: interactive displays, montages describing the evolution of the tower, and in-depth information explaining the people and technology responsible for this incredible building."
The ascent to the 124th floor is by a double-deck elevator, each deck carrying up to 14 people and travelling at an amazing 10 metres per second.
In less than a minute, the elevator reaches the observation deck, the world's only public observatory at this height with an outdoor terrace. High windows circle the entire viewing platform, and, for AED 10, visitors can scan the horizon and the distant streets below through computerised viewfinders, which also have preprogrammed day and nighttime vistas of the city and surrounding region.
And it's not just for the tourists. Residents in the tower will be part of a vibrant community featuring two world-class malls—The Dubai Mall and Souk Al Bahar—and five hotels in addition to the varied amenities within the tower.
The hand-over of homes begins first with the Armani Residences comprising 144 private apartments personally designed by Giorgio Armani. This will be followed by the much-awaited Armani Hotel Dubai, which occupies the concourse to Level 8 and Levels 38 & 39.
The Residences, comprising 900 apartments, and The Corporate Suites, a collection of high-end offices, began handover to customers in March. The handover programme will take anywhere from two to six months.
Mr. Ahmad Al Matrooshi, managing director–UAE, Emaar Properties, says, "With Emaar taking charge of the tower from our various consultants and contractors, the orientation programme for home-owners has commenced. Reflecting the essence of Burj Khalifa, all the homes have been designed to the highest standards and will offer an unparalleled lifestyle choice for residents."
Armani Residences is developed through a collaboration of Emaar and Giorgio Armani S.p.A. Personally designed by fashion legend Giorgio Armani, the one- and two-bedroom suites are spacious, ranging from 100 to 200 sq metres.
The interiors of Burj Khalifa, including The Residences, are embellished by award-winning designer Ms Nada Andric of Chicagobased Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM), the architects of the tower. The design elements take cues from the region's heritage and interpret it into spatial elements with traditional motifs and the right selection of materials. Apart from glass, stainless steel and polished dark stones, the interiors feature Silver Travertine flooring, Venetian stucco walls, handmade rugs, stone flooring and dark, intricate Brazilian Santos Rosewood.
No expense has been spared in this grand vision.
