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Discover the Sky-High Wonders: Top 12 Fun Facts About Burj Khalifa You Never Knew!

illustration of burj-khalifa
Get ready to be amazed, as we unveil some astonishing tidbits about the breathtaking architectural marvel, Burj Khalifa!

1. Giraffes vs. Burj Khalifa

If you stacked all the giraffes in the world end-to-end, they would be tall with a capital "T," but still not quite as tall as the mighty Burj Khalifa: With a height of over 828 meters, this gargantuan skyscraper boasts more than 160 stories, the highest outdoor observation deck and the elevator with the longest travel distance in the world, impressing both giraffes and the Chicago-based Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) alike.
Source => burjkhalifa.ae

2. Literal Top of the World

Feeling on top of the world has never been more literal: The Burj Khalifa SKY on Level 148, at a dizzying 555 metres (1,821 ft) high, embraces the title of the world's highest observation deck, offering jaw-dropping views and an exclusive lounge for all you skywalkers out there.
Source => burjkhalifa.ae

3. Lightning-Fast Elevators

Are you ready to get elevated? Prepare to feel on top of the world at breakneck speed: Burj Khalifa boasts the world's fastest double-deck elevators, zipping visitors up to the breathtaking "At The Top" viewing platform (456 meters high) at a whopping 10 meters per second! With panoramic views from Level 125, the one-hour experience starts from AED 169 and requires a 24-hour advance booking – not to mention the chance to brag about conquering the world's tallest building.
Source => mandarinoriental.com

4. Disco Ball Skyline

The Burj Khalifa is like a sophisticated disco ball in the Dubai skyline, charmingly evading the dance floor spotlight and refusing to blind its fellow skyscrapers: The tower's curved facade is designed to disperse sunlight, while its reflective coating allows only 20% of visible light and 15% of solar energy to pass through. With automated window-washing machines keeping its 28,000 double-layer glass panels squeaky clean, the Burj Khalifa manages to look fabulous and handle wind loads of 110 pounds per square foot with flair.
Source => architectmagazine.com

Ultimate Game of "I Spy"

5. Ultimate Game of "I Spy"

Did you hear about the world's tallest game of "I Spy"? You're guaranteed to win every time: The tip of the Burj Khalifa's sphere is visible from a whopping 95 kilometers away! Standing proudly at 828 meters tall, this colossal skyscraper required a head-spinning 22 million person-hours, 110,000 tons of concrete, and 55,000 tons of steel to construct, making it a true engineering marvel that keeps on growing on us.
Source => ice.org.uk

6. Royal Observation Deck

If you ever wanted to feel like a king of the world but fear the Titanic curse, you can try the Burj Khalifa experience instead: Its awe-inspiring observation deck treats you to a breathtaking view from the 148th floor, where you'll soar 555.7 meters (1,823 feet) above the ground and survey your kingdom of Dubai, complete with high-tech telescopes and interactive displays for your regal enjoyment.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

7. Unwrapping the Skyscraper Gift

If good things come in small packages, the Burj Khalifa must be the gift that never stops unwrapping: Standing tall at 828 meters, this skyscraping marvel is nearly three times the height of Paris' Eiffel Tower and holds the record for the tallest free-standing structure in the world, so dominating the skyline that its tip remains visible from an astonishing 55 kilometers away on a clear day.
Source => inshorts.com

8. Window-Cleaning Astronauts

When asked to clean the windows of the tallest building in the world, most would say "in your dreams!" That's just what the brave team at the Burj Khalifa are: window cleaning astronauts wearing moon suits, soaring to skyscraping heights just to scrub off some grime: These intergalactic cleaners, a team of 36 humans and 12 high-tech machines, spend three months in a continuous loop to cover the 24,000 reflective windows and 120,000 sq metres of glass. The crew dangles from tracks fixed to the exterior, sips electrolyte packs, and only ventures into the shaded realm of this vertical city. Despite robot window-washing technology, these brave souls still reign supreme, much to the chagrin of potential robotic replacements.
Source => smartcitiesdive.com

9. LEGO Burj Khalifa

When Humpty Dumpty isn't busy falling off walls, he's playing with his LEGO set of choice - a skyscraper with a flair of extravagance: The LEGO Burj Khalifa in Legoland Dubai is the world's tallest LEGO building replica, standing at an impressive 17 meters and made up of 439,000 bricks. Constructed in over 5,000 man hours, it also features LED lights and a simulated version of the real building's iconic fountain show.
Source => brickfinder.net

Sparkly Lightning Rod

10. Sparkly Lightning Rod

When the Burj Khalifa isn't too busy scraping the sky or playing hide and seek in the clouds, it's secretly moonlighting as a giant, sparkly lightning rod: The towering structure boasts an intricate lighting system including programmable stroboscopic lights for dazzling displays and high-intensity xenon white obstruction lights flashing 40 times a minute to deter aircraft, ensuring both a visual spectacle and unparalleled safety measures.
Source => burjkhalifa.ae

11. Epic Light Show Record

When Dubai decided to throw a light show, they didn't just flick a few switches; they transformed the Burj Khalifa into the ultimate disco ball on steroids: On January 1, 2018, Emaar Properties PJSC orchestrated the world's largest light and sound show on a single building, covering 109,252 m² (1,175,978 ft²) with no fireworks but mind-blowingly spectacular lighting, lasers, sound, fountains, and an LED screen.
Source => guinnessworldrecords.com

12. Stairway to Heaven Denied

If you're looking to take "the stairway to heaven" at the Burj Khalifa, be prepared for an "elevator only" policy when visiting the observation deck: The lavish tower has 2,909 emergency stairs spanning up to the 160th floor, but visitors are exclusively whisked to the top by elevator, ensuring quite literally an uplifting experience.
Source => 10best.com

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