Burj Khalifa in Dubai has been the world’s tallest building since its opening in 2010.
The tower rises 828 metres above the ground and contains more than 160 habitable floors. Its design was led by the Chicago-based architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, with Adrian Smith serving as chief architect. Construction began in 2004 and the building opened in January 2010.
The project was initially known as Burj Dubai. It was renamed Burj Khalifa in honor of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, then president of the United Arab Emirates, during the opening ceremony.
Burj Al Arab is another famous Dubai landmark, but it is a sail-shaped luxury hotel rather than the city’s tallest building. Burj Khalifa includes observation decks, residences, offices, and the Armani Hotel Dubai.