The Burj Khalifa, formerly named the Burj Dubai, is the world's tallest building topping out at 828 meters (2,717 feet) with 162 floors. The exact height and name change was revealed at the ribbon cutting ceremony that took place on January 4, 2010. T-shirts had erroneously been printed that say "Burj Dubai - what you can see at 824.6M (2704ft)." http://www.reddit.com/shirt/akczm/burj_dubai_what_you_can_see_at_8246m2704ft/ The renaming to Burj Khalifa honors Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ruler of the neighboring emirate of Abu Dhabi, who facilitated a $25 billion bailout of Dubai in the financial crisis of 2009.http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/money_co/2010/01/dubai-burj-tower-opening-tallest-building.html

The Burj Dubai is now the world's tallest structure ever built, tallest structure, tallest free-standing structure, and tallest building architectural element (overtaking Taipei 101). While the developers have kept the exact height a secret until the opening, there has also been a recent change in determining the height of a building prompted in part by the Burj Dubai having multiple ground level entrances at different heights. http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/theskyline/2009/11/trumps-tower-is-now-worlds-sixth-tallest-as-council-changes-standards-for-tall-building-height.html The height of the building and its slender design means many of the floors are reserved for mechanical use including elevators and water storage. http://www.glasssteelandstone.com/BuildingDetail/701.php/ However, there are still 1,000 residences, 160 plush hotel rooms, and 37 office floors with corporate suites in the Burj Dubai itself that need to be absorbed into the ailing Dubai housing and commercial market. Occupancy is expected to reach 75% though office space occupancy may lag according to Emaar Properties.http://internationalpropertyjournal.com/blog/2010/01/04/60-dont-call-it-the-burj-dubai-anymore.html Occupants begin moving in to their Armani-designed residences in March.http://burj-khalifa.eu/accommodation/emaar-to-begin-burj-khalifa-home-handover-in-march

EMAAR Properties is developing the tower and the retail/entertainment complex. www.emaar.com/ The height of the building and the scale of surrounding site was captured in August 2009 photos taken by helicopter. http://gizmodo.com/5039300/real-sim-city-comes-to-life-in-the-desert According to the architect, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the site area is 1,121,707 square feet and the project area is 5 million square feet. http://www.som.com/content.cfm/burj_dubai There are several hotels in the project area including the ultra-luxe Armani Hotel on the lower floors of the Burj Dubai.http://www.burjdubai.com/downtown-burj-dubai/hotels.aspx Retail areas in the project include The Dubai Mall, Gold Souk at The Dubai Mall, Souk Al Bahar, and Emaar Boulevard. http://www.burjdubai.com/downtown-burj-dubai/shopping.aspx The available entertainment includes The Dubai Fountain, Dubai Ice Rink, Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, SEGA Republic, KidZania and Reel Cinemas. http://www.burjdubai.com/downtown-burj-dubai/entertainment.aspx

The cost of a one bedroom residential unit at the Armani Flagship Hotel and Residences is US$4 million. http://weeklydrop.com/2008/07/burj-dubai-opening-tower-2009/ The first residents are expected to move in starting February 2010. http://www.arabianbusiness.com/577586-first-burj-dubai-residents-to-arrive-in-feb-2010 In addition to hotel and residential units within the Burj Dubai, there are a number of residential complexes that surround the site in area called Downtown Burj Dubai. These include Burj Dubai Boulevard, The Residences, Lake Hotel, Lake Park, Burj Dubai Square, Boulevard Crescents, South Ridge, The Old Town, The Old Town Island, The Lofts, 8 Boulevard Walk, and The Dubai Mall.http://www.burjdubai-residences.com/

Several picture galleries are available of the Burj Dubai being completed http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/worldnews/6662675/A-first-look-inside-Burj-Dubai-the-tallest-skyscraper-in-the-world-as-it-nears-completion.html, struck by lightning http://gizmodo.com/5413109/the-burj-dubai-just-cant-stop-getting-struck-by-lightning http://www.burjdubaiskyscraper.com/ http://www.burjdubai.com/ a 2.3 gigapixel photo http://gizmodo.com/5433690/unbelievable-23-gigapixel-photo-of-the-burj-dubai, and pro golfer Michelle Wie playing golf on the 124th floor observation deck. http://www.arabianbusiness.com/index2.php?option=com_gallery&id;=575646

Pictures from below and above and a video from the top meaning 828 meters up. The Burj Khalifa has attracted the climbing interest of Allain Robert known as the French Spider-man.http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100120/NATIONAL/701199916/1010/national

Admission (in advance) US D27 Admission (immediate entry) USD 109

Here is an article and pictures of the experience on the Burj Khalifa Observatory Deckhttp://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/2079253,dubai-burj-khalifa-tallest-030310.article

The opening of Burj Dubai will be broadcast live via Dubai TV and Dubai one TV starting from 15:30 to 21:00 UAE time 11:30 to 17:00 GMT for what is being called Eid Al Julous.http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=49318419

Over 6000 guests attended with first-of-their-kind fireworks on display. http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/housing-property/security-plan-in-place-for-burj-dubai-opening-ceremony-1.559736?localLinksEnabled=false There was a documentary about Dubai shown on a giant screen followed by fireworks, light and sound show, and six parachutists. http://gulfnews.com/business/property/height-of-security-at-launch-1.560522 The three themed light and sound shows are ‘From the Desert Flower to Burj Dubai,’ ‘Heart Beat,’ and ‘From Dubai and the UAE to the World.’. http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle09.asp?xfile=data/theuae/2010/January/theuae_January67.xml§ion;=theuae The public viewed the ceremony from the adjacent areas surrounding Burj Park Island including Dubai Mall, Souk Al Bahar, Old Town. http://www.arabianbusiness.com/577607-public-can-watch-burj-dubai-opening-from-burj-park-island

There were 868 high-powered ‘stroboscope’ lights integrated into the facade of Burj Dubai and the tower’s spire. http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle09.asp?xfile=data/theuae/2010/January/theuae_January67.xml§ion;=theuae The show featured an impressive show of 10,000 firework effects on and from the tower.http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle09.asp?xfile=data/theuae/2010/January/theuae_January67.xml§ion;=theuae

The following information was published in GulfNewshttp://m.gulfnews.com/business/property/dubai-gears-up-for-historic-burj-dubai-opening-1.560915

Free spots to watch Burj Dubai opening ceremony:

• Festival City Boulevard
• Zabeel Park
• Jumeirah open beach piers
• Open beach beside Jumeirah Beach Park
• Safa Park
• Desert area near Meydan
• Promenade outside Burj Residences facing Towers 1, 3 and 5.
• Burj Dubai Boulevard
• Boulevard Bridge
• Burj Dubai Island
• Al Quoz Park
• Al Khail Road

If you have money, here are some places to go:

• Vu's Bar, Emirates Towers
• Neos Sky Lounge, The Address Hotel
• Pax Restaurant, Dusit Thani Hotel
• Fairmont Hotel
• Saha Cafe, The Address Hotel
• Restaurants at Dubai Mall waterfront area
• The Palace Hotel

End of May Residents begin moving inhttp://liveshots.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/06/02/dubai-struggles-to-top/?test=latestnews

29Apr10 Dubai planning to bid on the 2020 Olympics.http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2010/04/dubai-sheikhdom-in-potential-olympics-2020-bid.html Given Doha's failed bid to delay the Games - what will Dubai propose to protect the athletes from heat?

27Apr10 Armani Hotel openshttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/27/armani-hotel-dubai-opens_n_553448.html

13Apr10 Burj Khalifa will remain the world's tallest building for the foreseeable future as the Mecca Clock Tower under construction in Saudi Arabia will fall 11 meters short.http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iLanctR8AAWzLRH6JnU9BvRdowqQ

12Apr10 Armani hotel scheduled to open.http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/theskyline/2010/04/tallest-tower-observatory-reopens.html

03Apr10 Observation deck reopens.http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/theskyline/2010/04/tallest-tower-observatory-reopens.html

31Mar10 Still no word on reopening of Burj Khalifa observation deck.http://business.maktoob.com/20090000454030/Emaar_tight_lipped_on_Burj_Khalifa_reopening/Article.htm

08Mar10 Armani Hotel opening delayed a month until April 22 due to unfinished work.http://business.maktoob.com/20090000443774/Armani_Hotel_opening_hit_by_one_month_delay/Article.htm

08Mar10 Still closed to the public but VIPs have been allowed to visit.http://www.kippreport.com/2010/03/the-burj-khalifa-is-open-%E2%80%93-but-only-for-%E2%80%98vips%E2%80%99/

02Mar10 Burj Khalifa Observation Deck may reopen this week.http://www.kippreport.com/2010/02/a-mere-wobble-or-are-the-cracks-showing/

01Mar10 See the same view from the Burj Khalifa by sea plane.http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/3/1/152654/0035/travel/Skip+the+Burj+Khalifa+Observation+Deck+For+a+Seaplane+Ride+Above+Dubai

26Feb10 Dubai Mall Aquarium sprang a leak in its acrylic tank.http://www.businessinsider.com/stunning-video-dubai-malls-aquarium-cracks-open-2010-2

25Feb10 No date has been set to reopen the Burj Khalifaa Observation Deck while repairs to the electrical system continue.http://burj-khalifa.eu/accommodation/emaar-to-begin-burj-khalifa-home-handover-in-march

09Feb10 A branch of the "Local House" restaurant that sells camel burgers will open near the Burj Khalifa.http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/02/09/camel.burgers.dubai/index.html?hpt=C2

08Feb10 The observation deck indefinitely closed due reportedly to electrical problems. No word on whether the move-in of residential and office units will be effected. An elevator had been stuck earlier. The Burj Khalifa observation deck may reopen as early as Valentine's Day.http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-dubai9-2010feb09,0,872481.story http://www.hoteliermiddleeast.com/7313-tourists-crying-after-burj-khalifa-elevator-drama/

08Jan10 Two parachutists from the Emirates Aviation Society leaped off the building to set a base jumping record.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8448336.stm

Several thousand tourists a day are visiting the Burj Khalifa to see the world's tallest building and view the surrounding area from the observation deck which has boosted retail sales in the area.http://www.business24-7.ae/Articles/2010/1/Pages/06012010/01072010_62090be1048c4ac3a47724faac39dd1a.aspx http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100204/BUSINESS/702049880/1005/BUSINESS

Interesting facts from Construction Week Onlinehttp://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-7625-burj-khalifa-and-its-machines/

1. 600 pilings 43 meters deep for the entire Burj Khalifa complex requiring 18 Olympic-sized swimming pools worth of concrete.

2. Concrete pumped 606 meters high. It took 40 minutes for the concrete to reach that level.

3. At least 57 lifts though some are double-deckers like the one that goes directly to the 124th floor observation deck.

4. A migrating corrosion inhibitor was necessary for concrete in the foundation to combat the high salinity in the water table.http://www.tcf-me.com/press_releases/1004364525-United-Corrosion-Technologies_Protecting-a-National-Asset-Burj-Khalifa-Towers-with-a-100-Year-Design-Life

Lost amongst the world records is that the tallest structures of the previous century were steel frames while the Burj Khalifa is reinforced concrete enabled by a threefold increase in compressive strength of concrete.http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/13/opinion/13brownell.html

How much does it cost to live in Dubai? Studio? One bedroom? Two bedroom? Three bedroom? Here are websites tracking the latest prices.

Dubai Interactive Map Rental Index (Gulf news)http://gulfnews.com/multimedia/maps/interactive-map-dubai-rental-index-1.28795: find your location on Google Maps and popup the latest prices

Dubai Rental Prices in 2009 (GrapeShisha)http://www.grapeshisha.com/Dubai-Rental-Price-Index-2009.html The data was from end of 2008 so the downturn had begun. For the moment likely an upper limit but let's see how Dubai turns around.

1 bedroom (1103 ft2) in Burj Khalifa listed for 4.2 million AED (USD 1.14 million)http://www.dubaipropertygroup.com/property/11478/