Merdeka 118 tower in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, completed in 2021, is the second-tallest at 678.9m and Shanghai Tower in Shanghai, completed in 2015, comes in third, at 632m. At 828 metres, Burj Khalifa, which took more than six years to build at a cost of $1.5 billion, is the tallest building in the world. Since its unveiling, the Burj has also become synonymous with its record-breaking feats, many of which remain undefeated. Almost 24,350 cladding panels and 103,000 square metres of glass were used to give the Burj’s gleaming exterior and to minimise heat transmission and save energy. Much of its shimmering, sleek exterior is due to its use of aluminium and glass.

It also combines the intricate patterning systems of Islamic architecture, marked by a dramatic upward spiral. Instantly recognisable for its sleek, timeless and futuristic design, it has been repeatedly featured in pop culture and been part of numerous viral videos and campaigns.Ī post shared by Burj Khalifa by Emaar by American architect Adrian Smith of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, Burj Khalifa’s aesthetic elements take inspiration from the geometry of the hymenocallis spider lily, a regional desert flower.

Mirroring the awe inspired by Egypt’s Great Pyramids of Giza, Burj Khalifa captured the world's imagination as a modern architectural marvel, much in the same way as the UAE's Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. The tower has also become an international landmark, which has hosted millions of visitors keen to ascend the observation deck or gather at Burj Park and the Dubai Fountain to witness the record-breaking light show and fireworks displays.

Inaugurated as the world's tallest tower on January 4, 2010, and the centrepiece of Downtown Dubai, Burj Khalifa immediately imposed itself on the skyline as a beacon of human ingenuity and determination. Yet, for 13 years, Burj Khalifa has remained the pinnacle of the world's architectural ambition a testament to the scale of the project's, and the UAE's, vision and ambition. Building the world's tallest building is no mean feat - and retaining that crown is even harder.

Dubai skyscraper pictures