About Burj Khalifa

Burj Khalifa is a supertall skyscraper under construction in the Downtown Burj Dubai district of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and is the tallest man-made structure ever built, despite being incomplete. Construction began on 21 September 2004, and the tower is expected to be completed and ready for occupancy by 4. 1. 2010.

The building is part of the 2 km2 (0.8 sq mi) development called “Downtown Burj Khalifa” at the “First Interchange” along Sheikh Zayed Road at Financial Centre Road (previously known as Doha Street). The tower’s architect is Adrian Smith who worked with Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) until 2006. The architecture and engineering firm SOM is in charge of the project. The primary builders are Samsung Engineering & Construction and Besix along with Arabtec. Turner Construction Company was chosen as the construction manager.

The total budget for the Burj Khalifa project is about US$4.1 billion and for the entire new ‘Downtown Dubai’, US$20 billion Mohamed Ali Alabbar, the CEO of Emaar Properties, speaking at the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat 8th World Congress, said that the price of office space at Burj Khalifa had reached $4,000 per sq ft (over $43,000 per sq m) and that the Armani Residences, also in Burj Khalifa, were selling for US$3,500 per sq ft (over $37,500 per sq m).