The tallest building in the world the Burj Khalifa is certainly impressive. An iconic fixture on the Dubai skyline the building is a testament to Dubai's reputation as a cosmopolitan gallery for architectural marvels. Among the impressive lineup of buildings vying for recognition in Dubai, the Burj remains majestic and one of the most visited in the nation. Here's a look at what makes the Burj Khalifa special and why you must visit the top attraction in Dubai.
The Importance of the Burj As An Architectural Marvel
Dubai is home to many architectural marvels amongst which is the tallest building in the world—the Burj Khalifa. The building took six years to complete since construction began in 2004; the design is credited to the reputed architectural firm of Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill and was opened in 2010 in honour of the UAE's former president Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The Burj is an impressive 2,717 feet high and cost a staggering $1 billion to complete. No expense was spared to ensure the building met all the safety protocols and remained a steadfast construction; hence, the base of the building was constructed with enough concrete to fill fifty Olympic-sized pools. This makes the world's tallest building also, the most popular of all top Dubai tourist attractions. While the Burj is certainly Dubai's piece de resistance, there are other equally amazing architectural marvels there; the Palm Jumeirah for example is an archipelago shaped like a palm tree. It is home to world-class hotels like NH Collection Dubai The Palm and is a popular location for tourists to seek accommodation as from The Palm Jumeirah you can easily explore the best of Dubai attractions.
Francisco Anzola, Burj Khalifa 2021, CC BY 2.0
The Cultural Significance of the Burj Khalifa
The Burj stands proud and tall as a testament to how well Dubai has progressed as a nation and modern city home to some of the world's most impressive architectural marvels. The Burj on its own has contributed to the tourism industry putting Dubai out there as a contemporary and sought-after holiday destination with more visitors wanting to explore the world's tallest building and other perks the vibrant city has to offer. In short, the Burj has made Dubai popular, steering the city away from a stereotypical image.The trickle effect has made Dubai a lucrative playground for investors, leading to a rise in its expat community and paving the way for new ventures and more jobs. The Burj is an iconic symbol of Dubai and has been featured in several international movies and TV shows, it is often the chosen venue for international events and is listed as one of the world's top attractions—naturally, this makes the Burj a valuable asset to Dubai's economy.
The Burj Has Made Downtown Dubai A Popular Venue
Attracting over 10 million visitors annually, the Burj Khalifa has enhanced the surrounding Downtown Dubai area, the influx of visitors to the building has helped the neighbourhood grow with restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues making the area a top tourist attraction in Dubai. Companies have set up offices in the area, and more and more businesses are looking at establishing outlets there as a means to capitalise on the huge influx of visitors coming to explore the world's tallest building. In turn, the infrastructure of the area has been modernised with transport options increased to the Downtown area; hence, it is easy for you to travel from your Dubai hotel to the vibrant Downtown district and enjoy a day exploring all the attractions there.
The Burj As An Important Tourist Attraction
The building is highly sought after and serves as a popular venue for musical shows, fashion shows, and other entertainment events. Burj Khalifa Sky Views refers to the observation decks; At the Top viewing decks are located on the 124th and 125th floors, and from there you can enjoy an amazing 360˚ bird's eye view of the city. But even more stunning are the views from the Skydeck located on the 148th floor. There are luxury restaurants too for sampling gourmet cuisine to stupendous views. The Burj is certainly a must-visit location in Dubai.