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Culture & Lifestyle • Landmark

Burj Khalifa

The Burj Khalifa is a mixed-use skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and the world’s tallest building and tallest structure.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 11, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Burj Khalifa is a mixed-use skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and the world’s tallest building and tallest structure. It opened in 2010 and was originally called Burj Dubai before being renamed for Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

History

Construction began in 2004 and the tower was officially opened on 4 January 2010. It was first known as Burj Dubai and was renamed Burj Khalifa at inauguration.

Design and height

The tower was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and stands 829.8 metres tall. It has 163 floors and is described as a megatall skyscraper.

Uses

Burj Khalifa is a mixed-use building containing residential apartments, office space, a hotel, restaurants, and observation decks. It functions as both a commercial and tourist landmark.

Records and significance

The building has been certified by Guinness World Records as the tallest building in the world. It is also widely described as the tallest structure and a major symbol of Dubai.

Key facts

  • The Burj Khalifa is located in Downtown Dubai.
  • It was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.
  • The building reached its full height in 2009 and officially opened in January 2010.
  • It is a mixed-use tower with residential, hotel, office, retail, and observation spaces.
  • It holds records as the tallest building and tallest structure in the world.
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Canadian context

The Burj Khalifa is relevant to Canadian readers mainly as a global landmark and tourism destination often compared with Canadian skyscrapers and engineering projects, including Toronto’s CN Tower.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Burj Khalifa?
It is a mixed-use skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and the world’s tallest building.
When did the Burj Khalifa open?
It officially opened on 4 January 2010.
How tall is the Burj Khalifa?
It is 829.8 metres tall, or 2,722 feet.
Who designed the Burj Khalifa?
It was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM).
Why was it renamed Burj Khalifa?
It was renamed in honour of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burj_Khalifa
    Supports: Basic facts on location, height, former name, and tower records.
  2. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Burj-Khalifa
    Supports: Mixed-use description, location, and naming origin.
  3. Guinness World Records — https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records/hall-of-fame/burj-khalifa-tallest-building-in-the-world
    Supports: Official opening date and tallest-building record.
  4. Institution of Civil Engineers — https://www.ice.org.uk/what-is-civil-engineering/infrastructure-projects/burj-khalifa
    Supports: Construction period, design firm, height, floors, and mixed-use details.
  5. The Skyscraper Center — https://skyscraper.org/tallest-towers/burj-dubai/
    Supports: Former name, height, mixed-use functions, and observation deck details.