View from the Top ~ The Burj Khalifa
The Burj Khalifa (Khalifa Tower) turns two this month. It’s hard to believe it opened two years ago, but it’s true. I remember when it was just a billboard sign—perhaps a twinkle in Sheikh Mohammed’s eye.
Some facts and figures:
At 828 m high, the Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world with the largest number of stories (200) and the highest occupied floor (level 160), and–in case you care–it houses Giorgio Armani’s first hotel.
It has a super-sleek elevator and reaches the viewing decking before you register all the TV screens inside. Naturally, this elevator is the fastest, moving at 10 meters per second.
The viewing deck is lovely and bright—except for the squeaky floor boards, which I found slightly unnerving.
Here is a view from above. On the left is the edge of Dubai Mall. In the center is Souk Al-Bahar (one of my favorite places in Dubai), and to the right is the Palace Hotel. In the water is the Dubai Fountain, which is also a record breaker: the world’s tallest performing fountain.
The view below includes more of the residential buildings on the left. This is a relatively new area of the city, yet it’s called “Old Town” in typical Dubai-fashion—to reinvent and confuse us.
Below is a view of Sheikh Zayed Road and Defense Interchange.
On our way out, we picked up a bar of Gold to Go. And why not?
What are your impressions of the Burj Khalifa?
