I’ve always been fascinated by extremely large and/or tall buildings because it’s hard to wrap my mind around their sheer magnitude. They don’t get any taller than the tallest building in the world- Dubai’s Burj Khalifa. Yet.
There’s a difference between a structure and a tower when it comes to placing an object on a “World’s Tallest” list. The term structure is used to describe something that just stands. Like an antenna or a radio tower. A building is exactly what you think it is. A skyscraper or a tall building that includes residences, offices or something you can go inside.
However, it doesn’t really matter in this case because this enormous building would be the tallest of both in either case! The Burj Khalifa stands at a staggering 2,722 ft. (829.8 m)! That’s 200 floors and more than half a mile in the sky. It even beats the #2 on the list, China’s Shanghai Tower- by more than 600 ft!
Construction on the Burj Khalifa started in 2004 and finished back in 2010. It houses residences, a hotel, commercial offices, restaurants, and shops. It claims the highest up swimming pool in the world located on its 76th Floor. The only feature it has been topped by is its Observation Deck, which is located on the 121st Floor. Yes, China’s Shanghai Tower claims the World’s Tallest Observation Deck located 1841 ft. (561 m) from the ground. However, that’s all just semantics because it beats out Burj Khalifa’s observation deck by only 20 ft. Plus, no one cares if you’ve been on the observation deck of the 2nd Tallest Building in the world!
Cool Fact: Shanghai Tower also has the World’s Fastest Elevator, which sounds horrifying.
It was largely funded by the leader of the UAE, Shiekh Khalifa, and was to serve as the crown jewel and centerpiece of Dubai. As you may know, Dubai is known for its extravagant appearance. It has the most unique skyline in the world with oddly shaped buildings and even artificial islands. This is all part of their desire to be one of the most desired and coolest cities in the world although the surrounding area struggles.
Overlooking Dubai’s skyline. A good look at the tower from a distance. A comparison of the world’s other tallest buildings. From the highest point looking down.
Fun Facts:
- Contains the World’s Highest Nightclub (probably both in height and state of mind).
- Also contains the World’s Highest Restaurant
- Those who honor Ramadan have to wait two minutes to end their fasting if they are on floor 80 or above, and three minutes on floors 120 and above. This is because sunset is at a different time when you are that high up in the sky!
- It was designed by the same people who did the One World Trade Center in New York City.
- Total cost was $1.4 Billion.
- Contains the World’s Highest Library. Nerds.
Dubai’s Burj Khalifa is definitely on my bucket list, but I’ll have to figure out a way to manage my fear of heights. Uh, yeah I’ll get back to you on that.
Aaron is a fan of pizza and beer who spends his free time learning random facts and falling down a rabbit hole of MCU theories. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter.
