Originally known as the Burj Dubai, the Burj Khalifa is tallest man made structure in the world. Officially opening on January 4, 2010, the skyscraper stands over 828 metres (2,716.5 feet) and more than 160 stories. It holds the following records:
• Tallest building in the world
• Tallest free-standing structure in the world
• Highest number of stories in the world
• Highest occupied floor in the world
• Highest outdoor observation deck in the world
• Elevator with the longest travel distance in the world
• Tallest service elevator in the world
The cost for construction was about US $1.5 billion. The project’s completion coincided with the global financial crisis of 2007–2010, and with tremendous overbuilding in the country, led to high vacancies and foreclosures. The Dubai government was forced to seek multibillion dollar bailouts from its oil rich neighbor Abu Dhabi. As a result, the tower was renamed Burj Khalifa, said to honour the UAE President Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his vital support. (burjkhalifa.ae, Wikipedia)