The Burj Khalifa: A Needle Piercing the Sky
In Dubai, ambition takes physical form in the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building at 829.8 meters. Completed in 2010, this steel-and-glass spire, designed by Adrian Smith of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, redefined what a skyscraper could be. Its Y-shaped base, inspired by the desert flower Hymenocallis, anchors it against the region’s fierce winds, while its central core houses 57 elevators whisking visitors to the 148th-floor observation deck in under a minute.
The Burj Khalifa is more than a feat of engineering; it’s a symbol of Dubai’s relentless drive to transcend its origins as a modest trading port. Named after the president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, it was built at a cost of $1.5 billion, employing over 12,000 workers from across the globe.
For visitors, the Burj Khalifa offers breathtaking views, especially at sunset when the desert horizon glows. Tickets to the 148th floor cost around $100, but booking early online saves time and money. Nearby, the Dubai Mall, with its 1,200 shops, provides a grounding contrast to the tower’s ethereal heights. To visit is to witness a city that dares to dream vertically, even as it grapples with its earthly challenges.
Photo credits: Burj Khalifa Instagram.
Alexander Agafiev Macambira
Alexander Agafiev Macambira is former tech contributing writer for Forbes Monaco.
