Which Dubai landmark became the world’s tallest building when it opened in 2010?

The Dubai landmark that became the world’s tallest building when it opened in 2010 is the Burj Khalifa.

Construction began in 2004 in Downtown Dubai, a large mixed-use development in the United Arab Emirates. The skyscraper was designed by the Chicago-based architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, with Adrian Smith serving as chief architect. Its Y-shaped floor plan was inspired partly by the form of a desert flower.

The tower was officially inaugurated on 4 January 2010. It was originally known as Burj Dubai, but its name changed to Burj Khalifa in honor of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, then president of the United Arab Emirates. The building rises 828 metres, including its spire.

Burj Khalifa is often confused with the nearby Dubai Mall, which is a separate complex. Its height also differs from the height of its highest occupied floor, because the overall measurement includes the architectural spire.