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Make reservations now to be one of the first to see the world at the top of the tallest building in the world
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Dubai : Emaar has implemented tight security restrictions for public access to At The Top - the highest observation deck in the world - at Burj Dubai's 124th level.
The master developer says it has come up with a list of "prohibited items… for the protection of our guests and the facility". Banned items include: "magic markers, spray paint, alcohol, aerosol cans, glass bottles, knives, fireworks/explosives, firearms/ammunition, chemical weapons, mace/pepper spray, multi-tools, skate shoes or any footwear with wheels," Emaar said.
When the steel-and-glass structure opens on January 4, the deck will become the "world's highest and only publicly accessible observation deck with an outdoor terrace", says Emaar, noting the "observatory is destined to be the highlight of any visit to the Middle East".
The journey to the top begins from a reception area in the adjacent Dubai Mall from which visitors are whisked along a 65-metre travellator amid a multi-media historical tour of Dubai.
Visitors will stop briefly for a full-scale view of the Burj Dubai before entering the high-speed elevator which soars at 10 metres per second to the observation deck. Featuring a 360-degree indoor and outdoor viewing area, the observation deck offers specially-designed telescopes to take in Dubai's sweeping vista of city, desert and the Gulf waters.
At The Top will open daily from Sunday to Wednesday (10am to 10pm), and Thursday to Saturday from 10am to midnight. To order tickets, call 800 288 4867 or e-mail at atthetopburjdubai@emaar.ae.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Time Warp: History Rising
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Let's have a quick look on the comparison of the the tallest buildings in Dubai
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Long before Burj Dubai, Al Fahidi Fort was the tallest building in Dubai for 179 years! Here's a list of the other record holders - till now
* Text and graphic by Danesh Mohiuddin, XPRESS
* Published: 00:00 December 31, 2009
* A look at which structures have been the tallest in Dubai.
* Image Credit: Danesh Mohiuddin/XPRESS
Al Fahidi Fort:
Launch year: 1799
Years it was the tallest: 179
The Al Fahidi Fort was (23m) used to guard landward approaches to the town from raiding tribes. It has also served, at various times throughout history, as the Ruler's Palace, a garrison, and a prison. it was converted and renovated into the Dubai Museum in 1971
Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel
Launch year: 1978
Years it was the tallest: 1
The 60m Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel by the Dubai Creek used to be called the "Lady of the Creek"
Dubai World Trade Centre:
Launch year: 1979
Years it was the tallest: 20
Dubai World Trade Centre at a cool 149m was inaugurated by the late Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum as a business centre. Planned redevelopments to the landmark building include a convention centre, office and residential towers, two five-star hotels and shopping malls; upon completion it will have a parking space for 8,300 cars.
The project will cost Dh16 billion. Construction work has been delayed by around nine months and is now expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2011.
Burj Al Arab:
Launch year: 1999
Years it was the tallest: 1
The 321m Burj Al Arab stands on an artificial island 280 metres off Jumeirah beach, and is connected to the mainland by a private curving bridge. It cose Dh650 million to build the landmark seven-star hotel, which was erected in a total of five years (first three of which was to construct the island).
Emirates Office Tower:
Launch year: 2000
Years it was the tallest: 8
Also known as Emirates Towers One, this is the 54-floor iconic building on Shaikh Zayed Road that stands at 351m. Construction began in 1996 before the building was ready for 2000. There are 17 elevators installed in the building.
Almas Tower:
Launch year: 2008
Years it was the tallest: 1
Standing at 360m, Almas Tower is located on its own artificial island in the centre of Jumeirah Lake Towers scheme. It houses thr Dubai Diamond Exchange (DDE)
Burj Dubai:
Launch year: 2010
The Burj Dubai is the tallest man-made structure ever built. The construction began on September 21, 2004 and was completed this year. It cost a total of Dh4.1 billion for the Burj Dubai porject.
Let's have a quick look on the comparison of the the tallest buildings in Dubai
*****
Long before Burj Dubai, Al Fahidi Fort was the tallest building in Dubai for 179 years! Here's a list of the other record holders - till now
* Text and graphic by Danesh Mohiuddin, XPRESS
* Published: 00:00 December 31, 2009
* A look at which structures have been the tallest in Dubai.
* Image Credit: Danesh Mohiuddin/XPRESS
Al Fahidi Fort:
Launch year: 1799
Years it was the tallest: 179
The Al Fahidi Fort was (23m) used to guard landward approaches to the town from raiding tribes. It has also served, at various times throughout history, as the Ruler's Palace, a garrison, and a prison. it was converted and renovated into the Dubai Museum in 1971
Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel
Launch year: 1978
Years it was the tallest: 1
The 60m Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel by the Dubai Creek used to be called the "Lady of the Creek"
Dubai World Trade Centre:
Launch year: 1979
Years it was the tallest: 20
Dubai World Trade Centre at a cool 149m was inaugurated by the late Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum as a business centre. Planned redevelopments to the landmark building include a convention centre, office and residential towers, two five-star hotels and shopping malls; upon completion it will have a parking space for 8,300 cars.
The project will cost Dh16 billion. Construction work has been delayed by around nine months and is now expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2011.
Burj Al Arab:
Launch year: 1999
Years it was the tallest: 1
The 321m Burj Al Arab stands on an artificial island 280 metres off Jumeirah beach, and is connected to the mainland by a private curving bridge. It cose Dh650 million to build the landmark seven-star hotel, which was erected in a total of five years (first three of which was to construct the island).
Emirates Office Tower:
Launch year: 2000
Years it was the tallest: 8
Also known as Emirates Towers One, this is the 54-floor iconic building on Shaikh Zayed Road that stands at 351m. Construction began in 1996 before the building was ready for 2000. There are 17 elevators installed in the building.
Almas Tower:
Launch year: 2008
Years it was the tallest: 1
Standing at 360m, Almas Tower is located on its own artificial island in the centre of Jumeirah Lake Towers scheme. It houses thr Dubai Diamond Exchange (DDE)
Burj Dubai:
Launch year: 2010
The Burj Dubai is the tallest man-made structure ever built. The construction began on September 21, 2004 and was completed this year. It cost a total of Dh4.1 billion for the Burj Dubai porject.
Old Town at Burj Dubai
The world knows the tallest tower in the world is Burj Dubai but not many know about the Old Town.
* A view of Burj Dubai from The Palace Hotel.
* The 500-acre Downtown Burj Dubai hosts three hotels - Al Manzil, Qamardeen and The Palace - The Old Town, Burj Dubai, the world's tallest building, The Dubai Mall, one of the world's largest shopping and entertainment destinations as well as commercial offices.
* Image Credit: Vazhisojan/Gulf News
The world knows the tallest tower in the world is Burj Dubai but not many know about the Old Town, the mega-village near the record-breaking skyscraper.
The Old Town promises a village-like ambience, featuring a network of passageways and beautifully landscaped courtyards that are as elegant to behold, as they are magnificent in their scope.
The architectural elements of the buildings include high ceilings, traditional motifs and symmetrical arches.
The Old Town exudes an air of informality from which urban dwellers can derive pleasure. With souks, cafes, restaurants and wayside stalls lining the pathways, the Old Town is a wonderland that throws up myriad opportunities to pass endless hours in frenetic bargaining or window shopping or just in happy contemplation watching the ebb and flow of people passing by.
Lantern-lit alleys at night should take one down the bylanes of times past. It is peaceful and charming.
The Old Town's amenities are many — children's play and relaxation areas, pool facilities, a gymnasium, games and aerobics rooms, squash courts, an entertainment lounge, coffee shops and steam rooms.
Residents will find it easy to access the Old Town's two boutique hotels, its souks and retail outlets. source
* A view of Burj Dubai from The Palace Hotel.
* The 500-acre Downtown Burj Dubai hosts three hotels - Al Manzil, Qamardeen and The Palace - The Old Town, Burj Dubai, the world's tallest building, The Dubai Mall, one of the world's largest shopping and entertainment destinations as well as commercial offices.
* Image Credit: Vazhisojan/Gulf News
The world knows the tallest tower in the world is Burj Dubai but not many know about the Old Town, the mega-village near the record-breaking skyscraper.
The Old Town promises a village-like ambience, featuring a network of passageways and beautifully landscaped courtyards that are as elegant to behold, as they are magnificent in their scope.
The architectural elements of the buildings include high ceilings, traditional motifs and symmetrical arches.
The Old Town exudes an air of informality from which urban dwellers can derive pleasure. With souks, cafes, restaurants and wayside stalls lining the pathways, the Old Town is a wonderland that throws up myriad opportunities to pass endless hours in frenetic bargaining or window shopping or just in happy contemplation watching the ebb and flow of people passing by.
Lantern-lit alleys at night should take one down the bylanes of times past. It is peaceful and charming.
The Old Town's amenities are many — children's play and relaxation areas, pool facilities, a gymnasium, games and aerobics rooms, squash courts, an entertainment lounge, coffee shops and steam rooms.
Residents will find it easy to access the Old Town's two boutique hotels, its souks and retail outlets. source
World's Tallest Tower
Impenetrable secrecy surrounding the Burj Dubai's real height has confounded the American-based world body that officially recognises the world's tallest buildings.
Burj Dubai is reportedly 818 metres tall but the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) says it has yet to receive any official notification from the builder Emaar of the record-breaking height.
Five years, three months and 15 days after construction started on September 21, 2004, the $4.1 billion (Dh15 billion) Burj Dubai is scheduled to officially open on January 4.
Dubai developer Emaar declined to elaborate on the structure or information about its opening, noting only that: "Details of the actual event will be revealed in due course."
However, in a previous interview with XPRESS, Emaar Chairman Mohammad Al Abbar did confirm the building is now "above 800 metres".
"It's a dream come true that I am associated with it," Al Abbar said. "It's a dream come true that it is opening in my hometown."
Jan Klerks, CTUBH Research and Communications Manager, said in an interview from the organisation's headquarters in Chicago that the whole world is waiting for Burj Dubai's opening day to learn the true height as declared by Emaar.
Official height
"We hope that the official height will be announced during the opening ceremony because at this moment, we don't know that yet. The number that has been floating around is 818 meters, but so far we have seen no official confirmation on that," said Klerks.
"I can see why the number wasn't disclosed during the development process as you want to make sure that by the time you open the building, it is not being surpassed by another project, but that argument doesn't hold any more."
Continued reluctance
Emaar's continued reluctance to release the actual final height is frustrating, Klerks said.
"I don't know what causes the current secrecy other than making the press release of the opening more interesting. Now that the tower is completed, I think Emaar has more to gain by releasing the number, as people generally don't understand secrecy."
That said, Klerks said there is no doubt that Burj Dubai will lay claim to the tallest freestanding structure on the planet when it opens. "We include buildings in the lists of tallest buildings the moment they are officially completed. A good moment is the day when it's officially opened, so in this case on January 4 we should see a new number-one in our lists."
When the ribbon is cut by Dubai leaders, the $4.1 billion (Dh15 billion) centrepiece of the $20 billion (Dh73 billion) Business Bay development on Shaikh Zayed Road will knock the current record holder for tallest residential building - Taipei 101 tower in Taiwan - from the top spot, (CN Tower in Canada at 555 metres was the tallest structure prior to the Burj Dubai, but does not include offices or residences).
The Taipei 101 building has held the CTBUH record since April 14, 2004 and stands at 508 metres, which also accounts for the topped out spire.
What are the other tallest buildings in the world?
In a previous interview with Chicago architect Adrian Smith, XPRESS first reported that the Burj Dubai would top out with "160 habitable floors" for permanent, hotel and office occupants.
Meanwhile, Klerks said Burj Dubai is more than just another skyscraper - its opening represents a coming of age for Dubai and a new era for one of the more famous cities in the Middle East.
"Like no other building, the Burj Dubai embodies the development of Dubai in becoming a global city. It's being used as an image in articles about Dubai, and its opening will be a global news fact. In a way, the building is the biggest marketing campaign the city could have come up with. It really is the Empire State Building of the Middle East in many ways."
For the ultra rich, the new Dubai tower offers a truly unique address known around the world. "Put your name and that of the Burj Dubai on an envelope, and no postal service in the world will have problems delivering the mail," Klerks said.
Record holder
So how long will Burj Dubai hold on to the record as the world's tallest tower? Klerks estimates it will take at least "five years" for the next super tower to emerge.
The "1,001 metre tall Kingdom Tower project in Saudi Arabia seems to be the most serious contender for that title at the moment," Klerks said.
"But planning a next world- tallest and actually completing one can be quite a difference. We'll just have to wait and see what happens."
Reasons for secrecy
Emaar's reluctance to share facts is understandable given the fact that it is releasing a new book, Burj Dubai Opus which contains what the developer calls 70 per cent "exclusive content". The limited edition book which releases on January 4 includes "photographs, interviews and behind-the-scenes information in a giant tome of mesmerising cinematic quality," Emaar said. The book was done in partnership with Kraken Opus.
Burj Dubai opus
It is possible, surveyors told us, to measure the height of the steel-and-glass Burj Dubai structure within a few metres accuracy but no surveyor firm we spoke to would take on the task without permission from the building owners Emaar.
The developer is keeping the lid tight on the height until January 4, 2010.
One chief surveyor at a Sharjah firm told us that a theodolite, a traditional surveying telescope of sorts used to measure landscapes would work well to tell us how tall the structure is.
"It measures angles horizontally and vertically," he said, adding that to measure a structure like the Burj Dubai, a surveyor could use two nearby buildings and "triangulate" with the third building to get a known height. Another surveyor told us that aerial photographs of the Burj Dubai could be used to measure the shadows falling on the building and thereby come up with the height of the building.
Measured approach
Stronger lighter materials, innovative inventions and human ambition will continue to fuel the race to the top of the world by architects and developers around the globe, said Klerks.
"Tall buildings have always triggered the fascination of men for challenging the laws of nature, and the fun it is to overview the world from the inside, and I'm sure they will continue to do so in the future," Klerks said.
"On the technical development side, it's not one revolutionary finding that make taller buildings possible, it's a whole range of little inventions, efficiencies and improvements of materials, methods and management that make taller buildings feasible. And as always when you're going to do something new, you're going to bump into issues you didn't expect, because no one ever ran into them previously."
15 days after construction started on September 21, 2004, the $4.1 billion (Dh15 billion) Burj Dubai is scheduled to officially open on January 4.
Emaar is the declined to elaborate on the structure or information about its opening, noting only that: "Details of the actual event will be revealed in due course."
However, in a previous interview with XPRESS, Emaar Chairman Mohammad Al Abbar did confirm the building is now "above 800 metres".
"It's a dream come true that I am associated with it," Al Abbar said. "It's a dream come true that it is opening in my hometown." source
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Despite of the current economic downturn this gigantic tower will once again put Dubai in history for having the tallest building on earth.
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