Hard Facts & Credible Insights
The Burj Khalifa is more than just a famous building in Dubai—it’s an engineering record-breaker that has redefined what’s possible in architecture. Below are real, verified facts that highlight the incredible design, construction, and global significance of the world’s tallest tower.
🏗️ 1. Record-Breaking Height and Structure
- The Burj Khalifa stands 828 meters tall (2,717 feet), making it the tallest building in the world since its official opening in 2010. If you’re wondering how many stories in Burj Khalifa, the skyscraper features a staggering 163 floors above ground.
- It has 163 usable floors, along with two additional levels used for mechanical equipment.
- From base to tip, it surpasses other famous skyscrapers like the Shanghai Tower and Abraj Al-Bait Clock Tower.
- The building is visible from over 90 kilometers away, especially on clear days across the Dubai desert.
🏢 2. Construction Timeline and Team
- Construction began in January 2004 and was completed in October 2009. The tower officially opened to the public in January 2010.
- The project was led by Emaar Properties, one of the UAE’s biggest real estate developers.
- The design came from Adrian Smith, an American architect who worked with the firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM).
- More than 12,000 workers from over 100 nationalities contributed to the construction of the tower.
⚙️ 3. Engineering Marvels
- The Burj Khalifa was designed using a buttressed core system, which helps stabilize the structure against high wind speeds. For those asking, what is the Burj Khalifa purpose, the tower serves as a mixed-use development with residential spaces, corporate suites, the Armani Hotel, and observation decks.
- The tower can sway gently by up to 1.5 meters at the very top during strong wind conditions, but this movement is perfectly safe and expected.
- 26,000 glass panels cover the exterior, all designed to resist the extreme heat of the Dubai climate.
- It has 57 elevators, including double-deck cabs, and the fastest ones travel at a speed of 10 meters per second.
🌍 4. World Records Held
- Tallest man-made structure on Earth
- Highest observation deck in the world (Level 148, “At the Top SKY”)
- Tallest service elevator in the world
- Building with the most floors globally
🍽️ 5. What’s Inside the Burj Khalifa
- The building is mixed-use, housing luxury residences, corporate suites, and the Armani Hotel Dubai, designed by Giorgio Armani.
- The At.mosphere restaurant, located on the 122nd floor, is one of the highest fine-dining restaurants in the world.
- The At the Top observation decks on Levels 124 and 148 offer 360-degree views of Downtown Dubai, the Persian Gulf, and beyond.
📍 6. Impact on Dubai and the UAE
- The tower transformed Dubai’s global image, drawing millions of tourists every year.
- It sits at the heart of Downtown Dubai, near the Dubai Mall, Dubai Opera, and the Dubai Fountain.
- Burj Khalifa plays a major role in New Year’s Eve celebrations, with its light and fireworks shows watched by audiences across the world.
Backed by Experts & Sources
The Burj Khalifa is more than just a tourist attraction—it is a project led by world-renowned architects, engineers, and developers with global credibility. The tower’s success is supported by expert contributions, accurate technical data, and recognition from trusted international institutions.👷♂️ Designed by Industry Leaders
The architectural design of the Burj Khalifa was led by Adrian Smith, one of the most respected skyscraper architects in the world. At the time, he was working with the American architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), which is known for projects like the One World Trade Center in New York and the Willis Tower in Chicago. The engineering aspect was handled by Bill Baker, a structural engineer also with SOM. He developed the buttressed core system, a revolutionary design that keeps the building stable in strong desert winds. This system is now used in other tall towers around the world.🧱 Built by Trusted Developers
The main developer of the Burj Khalifa is Emaar Properties, based in the United Arab Emirates. Emaar is one of the leading real estate groups in the Middle East and is responsible for several of Dubai’s most well-known destinations, including The Dubai Mall and Dubai Marina. Emaar’s reputation for delivering large-scale projects on time and with quality has helped build trust in the tower’s design, safety, and long-term value.🌐 Validated by Global Institutions
- The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) officially recognizes the Burj Khalifa as the tallest building in the world.
- The structure is also listed in the Guinness World Records for multiple achievements, including:
- Tallest existing structure
- Highest outdoor observation deck
- Most floors in a building
- These acknowledgments add international credibility and factual validation to the Burj Khalifa’s standing.
📊 Supported by Verified Data
Every number and record connected to the Burj Khalifa is based on official documentation from:- The project’s lead firms (SOM and Emaar)
- International building councils
- Dubai’s official tourism and development departments

📍 A Landmark Trusted by Millions
Today, the Burj Khalifa attracts millions of visitors each year and remains a focal point for major global events in Dubai, including:- New Year’s Eve light shows
- International architecture awards
- Government-endorsed tourism campaigns
Accurate, Transparent, Reliable
When writing about a global icon like the Burj Khalifa, accuracy matters. The facts you’re reading in this article come from verified, well-documented sources—ensuring the information is reliable, up to date, and aligned with public records.📌 Facts Based on Official Records
The structural measurements, design details, and construction timeline of the Burj Khalifa are supported by:- Official project reports from Emaar Properties, the tower’s developer.
- Architectural records from Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), the design firm behind the project.
- Public data shared by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), which keeps a global registry of the world’s tallest buildings.
🧾 Dates and Records You Can Verify
- Construction Start: January 2004
- Completion Date: October 2009
- Opening to Public: January 4, 2010
- Total Floors: 163 usable + 2 mechanical
- Elevators: 57 high-speed systems
🔍 Open, Transparent, and Up-to-Date
We avoid exaggeration and do not rely on outdated or speculative claims. For example:- The observation deck on Level 148 is currently among the highest accessible to the public worldwide.
- The tower still holds the Guinness World Record for tallest building—an award that is renewed and updated as new structures are reviewed.
🛡️ Safety, Design, and Public Trust
The Burj Khalifa has passed all safety inspections required by UAE authorities and international engineering standards. It was built to withstand:- Extreme desert heat
- High wind speeds
- Seismic activity typical of the region’s geological conditions

🌍 Trusted by Governments, Tourists, and Industry Leaders
- Dubai Tourism actively promotes Burj Khalifa as a safe and world-class destination.
- Architectural and engineering schools use the tower as a real-world example of innovation.
- Millions of visitors explore the At the Top decks and Armani Hotel inside the building every year, further validating its safety and appeal.
FAQ—What People Ask About the Burj Khalifa
The Burj Khalifa stands at 828 meters (2,717 feet), making it the tallest building in the world. It holds multiple height-related records, including the tallest structure ever built by humans. This is one of the most well-known facts about the Burj Khalifa, often searched by travelers and architecture enthusiasts.
The tower has 163 usable floors, along with two additional mechanical levels. It also features 57 elevators and 8 escalators. This incredible vertical layout is part of what makes the Burj Khalifa in Dubai a global engineering marvel.
Inside, you’ll find a mix of luxury residences, corporate offices, and the world-famous Armani Hotel Dubai. The building also has the At the Top observation decks, where visitors can enjoy sweeping views of Downtown Dubai and the desert beyond. These are some of the most interesting facts about the Burj Khalifa that surprise many first-time visitors.
Yes. Tourists can visit the At the Top (Levels 124 and 125) and At the Top SKY (Level 148) observation decks. Tickets are available online or at the entrance inside Dubai Mall. Visiting these floors is one of the most popular experiences in Dubai tourism and a highlight when exploring facts about the Burj Khalifa.
The Burj Khalifa was built to establish Dubai as a global city and business hub. It was also meant to showcase what modern engineering could achieve. The tower supports tourism, real estate, and commercial activity in the region, making it a symbol of growth and ambition in the United Arab Emirates.
The tower was designed by Adrian Smith while he was with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM). It was developed by Emaar Properties, one of the UAE’s largest real estate companies. These expert-led efforts are central to many verified facts about the Burj Khalifa.
It holds several records, including:
- Tallest building in the world
- Highest observation deck
- Longest elevator travel distance
Most floors in a building
These records are among the most talked-about facts about the Burj Khalifa, especially in global engineering circles.
The total cost to build the Burj Khalifa was estimated at $1.5 billion USD. While the cost is massive, the tower has become a major revenue generator through tourism, branding, and luxury properties—an important financial fact about the Burj Khalifa.
Yes. The tower was designed using a buttressed core structural system that allows it to handle high wind speeds and mild seismic activity. It can safely sway without damaging the building or disturbing people inside. This makes it one of the most secure skyscrapers in the UAE.